1: Then Job answered and said, 2: I have heard many such things: Miserable comforters are ye all. 3: Shall vain words have an end? Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest? 4: I also could speak as ye do; If your soul were in my soul's stead, I could join words together against you, And shake my head at you. 5: [But] I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the solace of my lips would assuage [your grief]. 6: Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged; And though I forbear, what am I eased? 7: But now he hath made me weary: Thou hast made desolate all my company. 8: And thou hast laid fast hold on me, [which] is a witness [against me]: And my leanness riseth up against me, It testifieth to my face. 9: He hath torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me; He hath gnashed upon me with his teeth: Mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me. 10: They have gaped upon me with their mouth; They have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully: They gather themselves together against me. 11: God delivereth me to the ungodly, And casteth me into the hands of the wicked. 12: I was at ease, and he brake me asunder; Yea, he hath taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces: He hath also set me up for his mark. 13: His archers compass me round about; He cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; He poureth out my gall upon the ground. 14: He breaketh me with breach upon breach; He runneth upon me like a giant. 15: I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, And have laid my horn in the dust. 16: My face is red with weeping, And on my eyelids is the shadow of death; 17: Although there is no violence in my hands, And my prayer is pure. 18: O earth, cover not thou my blood, And let my cry have no [resting] -place. 19: Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And he that voucheth for me is on high. 20: My friends scoff at me: [But] mine eye poureth out tears unto God, 21: That he would maintain the right of a man with God, And of a son of man with his neighbor! 22: For when a few years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
