> [[job-06|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-08|Next →]] --- # Job, Chapter 7 ## Chapter 7 1 Is not life on earth a drudgery, ^job-07-1 its days like those of a hireling? 2 Like a slave who longs for the shade, ^job-07-2 a hireling who waits for wages, 3 So I have been assigned months of futility, ^job-07-3 and troubled nights have been counted off for me. 4 When I lie down I say, “When shall I arise?” ^job-07-4 then the night drags on; I am filled with restlessness until the dawn. 5 My flesh is clothed with worms and scabs; ^job-07-5 my skin cracks and festers; 6 My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle; ^job-07-6 they come to an end without hope. 7 Remember that my life is like the wind; ^job-07-7 my eye will not see happiness again. 8 The eye that now sees me shall no more behold me; ^job-07-8 when your eye is on me, I shall be gone. 9 As a cloud dissolves and vanishes, ^job-07-9 so whoever goes down to Sheol shall not come up. 10 They shall not return home again; ^job-07-10 their place shall know them no more. 11 My own utterance I will not restrain; ^job-07-11 I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. 12 Am I the Sea, or the dragon, ^job-07-12 that you place a watch over me? 13 When I say, “My bed shall comfort me, ^job-07-13 my couch shall ease my complaint,” 14 Then you frighten me with dreams ^job-07-14 and terrify me with visions, 15 So that I should prefer strangulation ^job-07-15 and death rather than my existence. 16 I waste away: I will not live forever; ^job-07-16 let me alone, for my days are but a breath. 17 What are human beings, that you make much of them, ^job-07-17 or pay them any heed? 18 You observe them every morning ^job-07-18 and try them at every moment! 19 How long before you look away from me, ^job-07-19 and let me alone till I swallow my spit? 20 If I sin, what do I do to you, ^job-07-20 O watcher of mortals? Why have you made me your target? Why should I be a burden for you? 21 Why do you not pardon my offense, ^job-07-21 or take away my guilt? For soon I shall lie down in the dust; and should you seek me I shall be gone. --- \* (7:1) Drudgery: taken by some to refer to military service; cf. also [14:14]. \* (7:12] – [21) Job now speaks not to his friends (who never speak to God), but to God. He does this frequently; cf. [9:28]; [10:2] – [22]; [13:20] – [28]; [14:13] – [22]. \* (7:12) An allusion to the personification of primeval chaos as a monstrous ocean vanquished by God; see note on [3:8]. \* (7:15) Existence: lit., bones; the Hebrew is unclear. \* (7:17] – [18) An ironic allusion to ([[psalm-08|Ps 8]]:5]. --- a. (7:1) [Jb 14:14]. b. (7:5) [Jb 2:7] – [8]. c. (7:7) [Ps 144:4]. d. (7:9] – [10) [Jb 10:21]; [14:10] – [12]; [2 Sm 12:23]; [14:14];([[wisdom-02|Wis 2]]:1]. e. (7:16) [Jb 14:1] – [2], [5]. f. (7:18) ([[psalm-17|Ps 17]]:3]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[job-06|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-08|Next →]]