1 Then Job answered and said,
2 I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all. miserable: or, troublesome
3 Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? vain…: Heb. words of wind
4 I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake my head at you.
5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should relieve your grief.
6 Though I speak, my grief is not relieved: and though I forbear, what am I eased? what…: Heb. what goeth from me?
7 But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company.
8 And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.
9 He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; my enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
10 They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.
11 God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked. hath…: Heb. hath shut me up
12 I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.
13 His archers surround me, 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 defiled my strength in the dust.
16 My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids are the shadow of death;
17 Not for any injustice in my hands: also my prayer is pure.
18 O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.
19 Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. on high: Heb. in the high places
20 My friends scorn me: but my eye poureth out tears to God. scorn me: Heb. are my scorners
21 O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour! neighbour: or, friend
22 When a few years are come, then I shall go the way from which I shall not return. a few…: Heb. years of number