Job

¹ Are not his days like those of a hired man?

² or a hired man waiting eagerly for his wages,

³ and nights of misery have been assigned to me.

⁴ The night drags on, and I toss till dawn.

⁵ my skin is broken and festering.

⁶ and they come to an end without hope.

⁷ my eyes will never see happiness again.

⁸ you will look for me, but I will be no more.

⁹ so he who goes down to the grave does not return.

¹⁰ his place will know him no more.

¹¹ I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

¹² that you put me under guard?

¹³ and my couch will ease my complaint,

¹⁴ and terrify me with visions,

¹⁵ rather than this body of mine.

¹⁶ Let me alone; my days have no meaning.

¹⁷ that you give him so much attention,

¹⁸ and test him every moment?

¹⁹ or let me alone even for an instant?

²⁰ O watcher of men? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you?

²¹ and forgive my sins? For I will soon lie down in the dust; you will search for me, but I will be no more.”