Job 7

Job laments the brevity and misery of human life, comparing man's days to those of a hireling. He turns his complaint toward God, asking why God watches him so closely and will not leave him alone even long enough to swallow his spit.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling?	"Is there not an appointed time to man on earth? Are not his days also like the days of a hireling?
2	As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work:	As a servant earnestly desires the shadow, and as a hireling looks for the reward of his work,
3	So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me.	so am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me.
4	When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day.	When I lie down, I say, 'When shall I arise, and the night be gone?' And I am full of tossings to and fro until the dawning of the day.
5	My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome.	My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome.
6	My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.	My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.
7	O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.	O remember that my life is wind; my eye shall no more see good.
8	The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: thine eyes are upon me, and I am not.	The eye of him that has seen me shall see me no more; your eyes are on me, and I am not.
9	As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.	As the cloud is consumed and vanishes away, so he that goes down to the grave shall come up no more.
10	He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.	He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.
11	Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.	Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
12	Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me?	Am I a sea, or a whale, that you set a watch over me?
13	When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint;	When I say, 'My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint,'
14	Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:	then you scare me with dreams, and terrify me through visions,
15	So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life.	so that my soul chooses strangling, and death rather than my life.
16	I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days are vanity.	I loathe it; I would not live always; let me alone, for my days are vanity.
17	What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?	What is man, that you should magnify him? And that you should set your heart on him?
18	And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?	And that you should visit him every morning, and try him every moment?
19	How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?	How long will you not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?
20	I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?	I have sinned; what shall I do to you, O preserver of men? Why have you set me as a mark against you, so that I am a burden to myself?
21	And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.	And why do you not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? For now shall I sleep in the dust; and you shall seek me in the morning, but I shall not be."