Job 10:10-20

10 You formed me inside my mother like cheese formed from milk.
11 You dressed me with skin and flesh; you sewed me together with bones and muscles.
12 You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your care you watched over my life.
13 "But in your heart you hid other plans. I know this was in your mind.
14 If I sinned, you would watch me and would not let my sin go unpunished.
15 How terrible it will be for me if I am guilty! Even if I am right, I cannot lift my head. I am full of shame and experience only pain.
16 If I hold up my head, you hunt me like a lion and again show your terrible power against me.
17 You bring new witnesses against me and increase your anger against me. Your armies come against me.
18 "So why did you allow me to be born? I wish I had died before anyone saw me.
19 I wish I had never lived, but had been carried straight from birth to the grave.
20 The few days of my life are almost over. Leave me alone so I can have a moment of joy.

Job 10:10-20 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 New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.