1 T hen Job answered,

2 I have heard many such things; wearisome and miserable comforters are you all!

3 W ill your futile words of wind have no end? Or what makes you so bold to answer ?

4 I also could speak as you do, if you were in my stead; I could join words together against you and shake my head at you.

5 I would strengthen and encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation of my lips would soothe your suffering.

6 I f I speak, my sorrow is not soothed or lessened; and if I refrain, in what way am I eased?

7 B ut now has taken away my strength. You have made desolate all my family and associates.

8 Y ou have laid firm hold on me and have shriveled me up, which is a witness against me; and my leanness are further evidence; testify to my face.

9 ' > My adversary Satan] has torn in his wrath and hated and persecuted me; he has gnashed upon me with his teeth; my adversary sharpens his eyes against me.

10 h ave gaped at me with their mouths; they have struck me upon the cheek insolently; they massed themselves together and conspired unanimously against me.

11 G od has delivered me to the ungodly (to the evil one) and cast me into the hands of the wicked (Satan’s host).

12 I was living at ease, but crushed me and broke me apart; yes, he seized me by the neck and dashed me in pieces; then he set me up for his target.

13 a rrows whiz around me. He slashes open my vitals and does not spare; he pours out my gall on the ground.

14 s tabs me, making breach after breach and attacking again and again; he runs at me like a giant and irresistible warrior.

15 I have sewed sackcloth over my skin and have defiled my horn (my insignia of strength) in the dust.

16 M y face is red and swollen with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death,

17 A lthough there is no guilt or violence in my hands and my prayer is pure.

18 O earth, cover not my blood, and let my cry have no resting-place.

19 E ven now, behold, my Witness is in heaven, and He who vouches for me is on high.

20 M y friends scorn me, but my eye pours out tears to God.

21 O h, that there might be one who would plead for a man with God and that he would maintain his right with Him, as a son of man pleads with or for his neighbor!

22 F or when a few years are come, I shall go the way from which I shall not return.