[1] Then Job replied: [2] "I have heard many things like these before. What miserable comforters are you all! [3] Will there be an end to your windy words? Or what provokes you that you answer? [4] I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could pile up words against you and I could shake my head at you. [5] But I would strengthen you with my words; comfort from my lips would bring you relief. [6] "But if I speak, my pain is not relieved, and if I refrain from speaking, how much of it goes away? [7] Surely now he has worn me out, you have devastated my entire household. [8] You have seized me, and it has become a witness; my leanness has risen up against me and testifies against me. [9] His anger has torn me and persecuted me; he has gnashed at me with his teeth; my adversary locks his eyes on me. [10] People have opened their mouths against me, they have struck my cheek in scorn; they unite together against me. [11] God abandons me to evil men, and throws me into the hands of wicked men. [12] I was in peace, and he has shattered me. He has seized me by the neck and crushed me. He has made me his target; [13] his archers surround me. Without pity he pierces my kidneys and pours out my gall on the ground. [14] He breaks through against me, time and time again; he rushes against me like a warrior. [15] I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and buried my horn in the dust; [16] my face is reddened because of weeping, and on my eyelids there is a deep darkness, [17] although there is no violence in my hands and my prayer is pure. [18] "O earth, do not cover my blood, nor let there be a secret place for my cry. [19] Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. [20] My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; [21] and he contends with God on behalf of man as a man pleads for his friend. [22] For the years that lie ahead are few, and then I will go on the way of no return.
