[1] Job: Don't we humans struggle long and hard in our time on earth? Don't we live our lives as common laborers? [2] As slaves longing for shade, as workers pining for wages, [3] So I am destined to receive only months of meaninglessness, and nights of nothing but misery. [4] When I lie down at the end of day, I wonder, "How soon till morning so I can arise?" But the night stretches on, and I toss and turn until sunrise. [5] My putrid skin is covered with maggots and a dirty crust. It hardens and cracks and oozes again. [6] My days whisk by swifter than the shuttle in a weaver's loom- back and forth, and back and forth- and then they come to their hopeless end. [7] My life, remember, is just a breath; in death no more good will reach my eye. [8] Whoever sees me now, will not for long; you'll look for me, but I'll be gone. [9] As clouds thin and finally vanish, so it is when people enter the land of the dead. Never will they come back up. [10] Never will they return to their homes or will the place they lived recognize them anymore. [11] Like Eliphaz, I will not keep silent. In the agony of my spirit, I will speak; In the bitterness of my soul, I will complain. [12] Am I the raging sea, or the monster of the deep, so threatening you must appoint a guard over me? [13] When I think my couch will comfort me or my bed will soften my complaint, [14] You, Lord, intimidate me with dreams and terrorize me with visions. [15] I'd rather be suffocated, even dead, than live in these aching bones of mine. [16] Job: I hate my life. I have no desire to keep on living. Leave me alone, God, for I have only a short time left. [17] What are these human beings, that You make so much of them- that You shower them with attention? [18] You examine them morning by morning; You test them moment by moment. [19] How long will You stare at me? I can't even clear my throat of spit without an audience. [20] I have sinned. What have I done to You, You who watch after humanity? Why have You targeted me, a man whose life is just a breath? Am I really such a heavy load for You? [21] So I've sinned inadvertently: can't You pardon me? Are my crimes such You can't forgive my sins? After all, I will lie in the dust, and it won't be long until You will look for me, but I'll be gone.
