1 A nd Job answered and said,

2 I have heard many such things: grievous comforters are ye all.

3 S hall words of wind have an end? or what provoketh thee that thou answerest?

4 I also could speak as ye: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could join together words against you, and shake my head at you;

5 I would encourage you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips should assuage.

6 I f I speak, my pain is not assuaged; and if I forbear, what am I eased?

7 B ut now he hath made me weary; … thou hast made desolate all my family;

8 T hou hast shrivelled me up! it is become a witness; and my leanness riseth up against me, it beareth witness to my face.

9 H is anger teareth and pursueth me; he gnasheth with his teeth against me; mine adversary he sharpeneth his eyes at me.

10 T hey gape upon me with their mouth; they smite my cheeks reproachfully; they range themselves together against me.

11 G od hath delivered me over to the iniquitous man, and hurled me into the hands of the wicked.

12 I was at rest, but he hath shattered me; he hath taken me by the neck and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.

13 H is arrows encompass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.

14 H e breaketh me with breach upon breach; he runneth upon me like a mighty man.

15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and rolled my horn in the dust.

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

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

18 O earth, cover not my blood, and let there be no place for my cry!

19 E ven now, behold, my Witness is in the heavens, and he that voucheth for me is in the heights.

20 M y friends are my mockers; mine eye poureth out tears unto +God.

21 O h that there were arbitration for a man with +God, as a son of man for his friend!

22 F or years in number shall pass,—and I shall go the way I shall not return.