[1] Then Job answered: [2] "I have heard all these things before. You men give me trouble, not comfort. [3] Your long speeches never end! Why do you continue arguing? [4] I also could say the same things you say, if you had my troubles. I could say wise things against you and shake my head at you. [5] But I would say things to encourage you and give you hope. [6] "Nothing I say makes my pain go away. But keeping quiet does not help either. [7] God, you surely took away my strength. You destroyed my whole family. [8] You have made me thin and weak, and people think that means I am guilty. [9] "God attacks me; he is angry with me and tears my body apart. He grinds his teeth against me. My enemy looks at me with hate. [10] People have crowded around me. They make fun of me and slap my face. [11] God has given me to evil people. He let the wicked hurt me. [12] I was enjoying a quiet, peaceful life, but then God crushed me. Yes, he took me by the neck and broke me into pieces. He has made me his target. [13] With his archers all around me, he shoots arrows into my kidneys. He shows no mercy and spills my gall on the ground. [14] Again and again he attacks me. He runs at me like a soldier in battle. [15] "I am very sad, so I wear this sackcloth. I sit here in dust and ashes, feeling defeated. [16] My face is red from crying. There are dark rings around my eyes. [17] I was never cruel to anyone, and my prayers are pure. [18] "Earth, don't hide the wrong things that were done to me. Don't let my begging for fairness be stopped. [19] Even now there is someone in heaven who will speak for me. There is someone above who will testify for me. [20] My friend speaks for me, while my eyes pour out tears to God. [21] He speaks to God for me, like someone presenting an argument for a friend. [22] "In only a few years I will go to that place of no return.
