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