1Then Job answered and said , 2How long will ye vex my soul , and break me in pieces with words ? 3These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me. 4And be it indeed that I have erred , mine error remaineth with myself. 5If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach : 6Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net .
Job's Integrity and Hope
7Behold, I cry out of wrong , but I am not heard : I cry aloud , but there is no judgment . 8He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass , and he hath set darkness in my paths . 9He hath stripped me of my glory , and taken the crown from my head . 10He hath destroyed me on every side , and I am gone : and mine hope hath he removed like a tree . 11He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies . 12His troops come together , and raise up their way against me, and encamp round about my tabernacle .
The Assurance of a Redeemer
13He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me. 14My kinsfolk have failed , and my familiar friends have forgotten me. 15They that dwell in mine house , and my maids , count me for a stranger : I am an alien in their sight . 16I called my servant , and he gave me no answer ; I intreated him with my mouth . 17My breath is strange to my wife , though I intreated for the children’s sake of mine own body . 18Yea, young children despised me; I arose , and they spake against me. 19All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me. 20My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh , and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth . 21Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends ; for the hand of God hath touched me. 22Why do ye persecute me as God , and are not satisfied with my flesh ?
Job's Confidence in the Future
23Oh that my words were now written ! oh that they were printed in a book ! 24That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever ! 25For I know that my redeemer liveth , and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth : 26And though after my skin worms destroy this body , yet in my flesh shall I see God : 27Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold , and not another ; though my reins be consumed within me. 28But ye should say , Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me? 29Be ye afraid of the sword : for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword , that ye may know there is a judgment .