1But Job answered and said,
2I have oftentimes heard such things: miserable comforters are ye all.
3Shall there be none end of words of wind? or what maketh thee bold so to answer?
4I could also speak as ye do: (but would God your soul were in my soul’s stead) I could keep you company in speaking, and could shake mine head at you,
5But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the comfort of my lips should assuage your sorrow.
6Though I speak, my sorrow cannot be assuaged: though I cease, what release have I?
7But now he maketh me weary: O God, thou hast made all my congregation desolate,
8And hast made me full of wrinkles which is a witness thereof, and my leanness riseth up in me, testifying the same in my face.
9His wrath hath torn me, and he hateth me, and gnasheth upon me with his teeth: mine enemy hath sharpened his eyes against me.
10They have opened their mouths upon me, and smitten me on the cheek in reproach: they gathered themselves together against me.
11God hath delivered me to the unjust, and hath made me to turn out of the way by the hands of the wicked.
12I was in wealth, but he hath brought me to nought: he hath taken me by the neck and beaten me, and set me as a mark for himself.
13His archers compass me round about: he cutteth my reins, and doth not spare, and poureth my gall upon the ground.
14He hath broken me with one breaking upon another, and runneth upon me like a giant.
15I have sowed a sackcloth upon my skin, and have abased mine horn unto the dust.
16My face is withered with weeping, and the shadow of death is upon mine eyes,
17Though there be no wickedness in mine hands, and my prayer be pure.
18O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my crying find no place.
19For lo, now my witness is in the heaven, and my record is on high.
20My friends speak eloquently against me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.
21Oh that a man might plead with God, as man with his neighbor!
22For the years accounted come, and I shall go the way, whence I shall not return.