[1] Then Job responded: [2] How long will you harass me and crush me with words? [3] These ten times you’ve humiliated me; shamelessly you insult me. [4] Have I really gone astray? If so, my error remains hidden inside me. [5] If you look down on me and use my disgrace to criticize me, [6] know then that God has wronged me and enclosed his net over me. [7] If I cry “Violence!” I’m not answered; I shout—but there is no justice. [8] He walled up my path so I can’t pass and put darkness on my trail, [9] stripped my honor from me, removed the crown from my head, [10] tore me down completely so that I’ll die, and uprooted my hope like a tree. [11] His anger burns against me; he considers me his enemy. [12] His troops come as one and construct their siege ramp against me; they camp around my tent. [13] He has distanced my family from me; my acquaintances are also alienated from me. [14] My visitors have ceased; those who know me have forgotten me. [15] My guests and female servants think me a stranger; I’m a foreigner in their sight. [16] I call my servant, and he doesn’t answer; I myself must beg him. [17] My breath stinks to my wife; I am odious to my children. [18] Even the young despise me; I get up, and they rail against me. [19] All my closest friends despise me; the ones I have loved turn against me. [20] My bones cling to my skin and flesh; I have escaped by the skin of my teeth. [21] Pity me. Pity me. You’re my friends. God’s hand has truly struck me. [22] Why do you pursue me like God does, always hungry for my flesh? [23] Oh, that my words were written down, inscribed on a scroll [24] with an iron instrument and lead, forever engraved on stone. [25] But I know that my redeemer is alive and afterward he’ll rise upon the dust. [26] After my skin has been torn apart this way—then from my flesh I’ll see God, [27] whom I’ll see myself—my eyes see, and not a stranger’s. I am utterly dejected. [28] You say, “How will we pursue him so that the root of the matter can be found in him?” [29] You ought to fear the sword yourselves, for wrath brings punishment by the sword. You should know that there is judgment.
