1Then Job answered and said , 2I have heard many such things : Miserable comforters are ye all . 3Shall vain words have an end ? Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest ? 4I 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 . 5But I would strengthen you with my mouth , And the solace of my lips would assuage your grief . 6Though I speak , my grief is not assuaged; And though I forbear , what am I eased ?
The Accusation Against God
7But now he hath made me weary : Thou hast made desolate all my company . 8And 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 . 9He hath torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me ; He hath gnashed upon me with his teeth : Mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me . 10They have gaped upon me with their mouth ; They have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully : They gather themselves together against me . 11God delivereth me to the ungodly , And casteth me into the hands of the wicked . 12I 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 .
The Hope of Redemption
13His archers compass me round about ; He cleaveth my reins asunder , and doth not spare ; He poureth out my gall upon the ground. 14He breaketh me with breach upon breach ; He runneth upon me like a giant . 15I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin , And have laid my horn in the dust . 16My face is red with weeping , And on my eyelids is the shadow of death ; 17Although there is no violence in my hands , And my prayer is pure . 18O earth, cover not thou my blood , And let my cry have no resting -place. 19Even now , behold , my witness is in heaven , And he that voucheth for me is on high . 20My friends scoff at me : But mine eye poureth out tears unto God, 21That he would maintain the right of a man with God, And of a son of man with his neighbor ! 22For when a few years are come , I shall go the way whence I shall not return .