| 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. |