1.9 KiB
Chapter 7
- "Is not all human life a struggle?
Our lives are like that of a hired hand,
- like a worker who longs for the shade,
like a servant waiting to be paid.
- I, too, have been assigned months of futility,
long and weary nights of misery.
- Lying in bed, I think, 'When will it be morning?'
But the night drags on, and I toss till dawn.
- My body is covered with maggots and scabs.
My skin breaks open, oozing with pus.
Job Cries Out to God
- "My days fly faster than a weaver's shuttle.
They end without hope.
- O God, remember that my life is but a breath,
and I will never again feel happiness.
- You see me now, but not for long.
You will look for me, but I will be gone.
-
Just as a cloud dissipates and vanishes, those who die will not come back.
-
They are gone forever from their home--
never to be seen again.
- "I cannot keep from speaking.
I must express my anguish.
My bitter soul must complain.
- Am I a sea monster or a dragon
that you must place me under guard?
- I think, 'My bed will comfort me,
and sleep will ease my misery,'
- but then you shatter me with dreams
and terrify me with visions.
- I would rather be strangled--
rather die than suffer like this.
- I hate my life and don't want to go on living.
Oh, leave me alone for my few remaining days.
- "What are people, that you should make so much of us,
that you should think of us so often?
- For you examine us every morning
and test us every moment.
- Why won't you leave me alone,
at least long enough for me to swallow!
- If I have sinned, what have I done to you,
O watcher of all humanity? Why make me your target? Am I a burden to you?
- Why not just forgive my sin
and take away my guilt? For soon I will lie down in the dust and die.
When you look for me, I will be gone."