1Then Job answered and said:
2I have heard many such things; sorry comforters are ye all.
3Shall windy 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.
5I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips would assuage your grief.
6Though I speak, my pain is not assuaged; and though I forbear, what am I eased?
7But now He hath made me weary; Thou hast made desolate all my company.
8And Thou hast shrivelled me up, 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 hated 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 scornfully; they gather themselves together against me.
11G-d delivereth me to the ungodly, and casteth me into the hands of the wicked.
12I was at ease, and He broke me asunder; yea, He hath taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces; He hath also set me up for His mark.
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 reddened 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 testifieth of me is on high.
20Mine inward thoughts are my intercessors, mine eye poureth out tears unto G-d;
21That He would set aright a man contending with G-d, as a son of man setteth aright his neighbour!
22For the years that are few are coming on, and I shall go the way whence I shall not return.