1Then Job answered and said , 2I have heard many such things : miserable comforters are ye all. 3Shall vain words have an end ? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest ? 4I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. 5But I would strengthen you with my mouth , and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief . 6Though I speak , my grief is not asswaged : 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 filled me with wrinkles , which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face . 9He teareth me in his wrath , who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth ; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me. 10They have gaped upon me with their mouth ; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully ; they have gathered themselves together against me. 11God hath delivered me to the ungodly , and turned me over into the hands of the wicked . 12I was at ease , but he hath broken me asunder : he hath also taken me by my neck , and shaken me to pieces , and 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 defiled my horn in the dust . 16My face is foul with weeping , and on my eyelids is the shadow of death ; 17Not for any injustice in mine hands : also my prayer is pure . 18O earth , cover not thou my blood , and let my cry have no place . 19Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven , and my record is on high . 20My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God . 21O that one might plead for a man with God , as a man pleadeth for his neighbour ! 22When a few years are come , then I shall go the way whence I shall not return .