Job 10:16-22

16 If I have any success at all, you hunt me down like a lion; to hurt me you even work miracles.
17 You always have some witness against me; your anger toward me grows and grows; you always plan some new attack.
18 Why, God, did you let me be born? I should have died before anyone saw me.
19 To go from the womb straight to the grave would have been as good as never existing.
20 Isn't my life almost over? Leave me alone! Let me enjoy the time I have left.
21 I am going soon and will never come back - going to a land that is dark and gloomy,
22 a land of darkness, shadows, and confusion, where the light itself is darkness.

Job 10:16-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 10

Job here declares the greatness of his afflictions, which made him weary of his life, and could not help complaining; entreats the Lord not to condemn him but show him the reason of his thus dealing with him, Job 10:1,2; and expostulates with him about it, and suggests as if it was severe, and not easily reconciled to his perfections, when he knew he was not a wicked man, Job 10:3-7; he puts him in mind of his formation and preservation of him, and after all destroyed him, Job 10:8-12; and represents his case as very distressed; whether he was wicked or righteous it mattered not, his afflictions were increasing upon him, Job 10:13-17; and all this he observes, in order to justify his eager desire after death, which he renews, Job 10:18,19; and entreats, since his days he had to live were but few, that God would give him some respite before he went into another state, which he describes, Job 10:20-22.

Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.