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 emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?
|
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 mine head at you.
|
5
|
But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.
|
6
|
Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: 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 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; mine 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.
|
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 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 defiled my horn in the dust.
|
16
|
My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;
|
17
|
Not for any injustice in mine 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.
|
20
|
My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.
|
21
|
O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!
|
22
|
When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
|