¹ Then Job answered and said,

^{2 Ref} I have heard many such things: Miserable comforters are ye all.

^{3 Ref} Shall vain words have an end? Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest?

^{4 Ref} I also could speak as ye do; If your soul were in my soul's stead, I could join words together against you, And shake my head at you.

^{5 Ref} `But' I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the solace of my lips would assuage `your grief'.

^{6 Ref} Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged; And though I forbear, what am I eased?

^{7 Ref} But now he hath made me weary: Thou hast made desolate all my company.

^{8 Ref} And thou hast laid fast hold on me, `which' is a witness `against me': And my leanness riseth up against me, It testifieth to my face.

^{9 Ref} He hath torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me; He hath gnashed upon me with his teeth: Mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me.

^{10 Ref} They have gaped upon me with their mouth; They have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully: They gather themselves together against me.

^{11 Ref} God delivereth me to the ungodly, And casteth me into the hands of the wicked.

^{12 Ref} I was at ease, and he brake me asunder; Yea, he hath taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces: He hath also set me up for his mark.

^{13 Ref} His archers compass me round about; He cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; He poureth out my gall upon the ground.

^{14 Ref} He breaketh me with breach upon breach; He runneth upon me like a giant.

^{15 Ref} I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, And have laid my horn in the dust.

^{16 Ref} My face is red with weeping, And on my eyelids is the shadow of death;

^{17 Ref} Although there is no violence in my hands, And my prayer is pure.

^{18 Ref} O earth, cover not thou my blood, And let my cry have no `resting' -place.

^{19 Ref} Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And he that voucheth for me is on high.

^{20 Ref} My friends scoff at me: `But' mine eye poureth out tears unto God,

^{21 Ref} That he would maintain the right of a man with God, And of a son of man with his neighbor!

^{22 Ref} For when a few years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.

¹ Then Job answered,

^{2 Ref} "I have heard many such things. Miserable comforters are you all!

^{3 Ref} Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?

^{4 Ref} I also could speak as you do. If your soul were in my soul's place, I could join words together against you, And shake my head at you.

^{5 Ref} But I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you.

^{6 Ref} "Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?

^{7 Ref} But now, God, you have surely worn me out. You have made desolate all my company.

^{8 Ref} You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me, It testifies to my face.

^{9 Ref} He has torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me; He has gnashed on me with his teeth: My adversary sharpens his eyes on me.

^{10 Ref} They have gaped on me with their mouth; They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me.

^{11 Ref} God delivers me to the ungodly, And casts me into the hands of the wicked.

^{12 Ref} I was at ease, and he broke me apart. Yes, he has taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces. He has also set me up for his target.

^{13 Ref} His archers surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. He pours out my gall on the ground.

^{14 Ref} He breaks me with breach on breach. He runs on me like a giant.

^{15 Ref} I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, And have thrust my horn in the dust.

^{16 Ref} My face is red with weeping. Deep darkness is on my eyelids.

^{17 Ref} Although there is no violence in my hands, And my prayer is pure.

^{18 Ref} "Earth, don't cover my blood, Let my cry have no place to rest.

^{19 Ref} Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on high.

^{20 Ref} My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to God,

^{21 Ref} That he would maintain the right of a man with God, Of a son of man with his neighbor!

^{22 Ref} For when a few years are come, I shall go the way from whence I shall not return.