Job Acknowledges the Brevity of Life

1“Men have harsh servitude on earth, do they not?

His days are like those of a hired laborer, are they not?a

2I’m like a servant who longs for the shade,

like a hired laborer who is looking for his wages.

3Truly I’ve been allotted months of emptiness;

nights of trouble have been appointed for me.

4“When I lie down I ask,

‘When will I wake up?’

But the night continues

and I keep tossing and turning until dawn.b

5My skinc is covered with worms and clods of dirt;

my skin becomes rough and then breaks out afresh.

6My days pass as swiftly as a hand-loom;

they come to their conclusion without hope.

7Remember that my life is a breath;

my eyes won’t go back to seeing good things.d

8The eyes of the one who sees me won’t see me anymore;

your eyes will looke for me

but I won’t be around!f

9As a cloud fades away and vanishes,

the one who descends to the afterlifeg doesn’t return.h

10He doesn’t return again to his house,

and his place won’t recognize him anymore.”

Job Intends to Complain

11“In addition, I won’t keep my opinioni to myself;

I’ll speak from my distressed spirit;

I’ll complain with my bitter soul.

12Am I the sea, or a sea monster,

that you keep watching me?

13For I’ve said, ‘My bed will comfort me;

my couch will ease my burdensj while I complain.’

14But then you scared me with dreams;

you terrified me with visions.

15I would rather die by strangulation

than continue living.k

16I hate the thought of living forever!

Leave me alone, because my days are pointless.”

Job Acknowledges Humankind’s Insignificance

17“What is a human being, that you make so much of him;

that you set your affections on him,

18visit him every morning,

and test him continually?

19Why won’t you look away from me?

Why don’t you leave me alone so I can swallow my saliva?

20So what if I sin? What have I done against you,

you observer of humankind?

Why have you made me your target?

Why burden yourself with me?

21Why haven’t you pardoned my transgression

and taken away my iniquity?

Now I’m about to lie down in the dust.

You will seek me diligently,

but I won’t be around!”l