| 1Then Job replied: | 1Then Job replied: |
| 2"I have heard many things like these before. What miserable comforters are you all! | 2"I have heard many things like these before. What miserable comforters are you all! |
| 3Will there be an end to your windy words? Or what provokes you that you answer? | 3Will there be an end to your windy words? Or what provokes you that you answer? |
| 4I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could pile up words against you and I could shake my head at you. | 4I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could pile up words against you and I could shake my head at you. |
| 5But I would strengthen you with my words; comfort from my lips would bring you relief. | 5But I would strengthen you with my words; comfort from my lips would bring you relief. |
| 6"But if I speak, my pain is not relieved, and if I refrain from speaking--how much of it goes away? | 6"But if I speak, my pain is not relieved, and if I refrain from speaking--how much of it goes away? |
| 7Surely now he has worn me out, you have devastated my entire household. | 7Surely now he has worn me out, you have devastated my entire household. |
| 8You have seized me, and it has become a witness; my leanness has risen up against me and testifies against me. | 8You have seized me, and it has become a witness; my leanness has risen up against me and testifies against me. |
| 9His anger has torn me and persecuted me; he has gnashed at me with his teeth; my adversary locks his eyes on me. | 9His anger has torn me and persecuted me; he has gnashed at me with his teeth; my adversary locks his eyes on me. |
| 10People have opened their mouths against me, they have struck my cheek in scorn; they unite together against me. | 10People have opened their mouths against me, they have struck my cheek in scorn; they unite together against me. |
| 11God abandons me to evil men, and throws me into the hands of wicked men. | 11God abandons me to evil men, and throws me into the hands of wicked men. |
| 12I was in peace, and he has shattered me. He has seized me by the neck and crushed me. He has made me his target; | 12I was in peace, and he has shattered me. He has seized me by the neck and crushed me. He has made me his target; |
| 13his archers surround me. Without pity he pierces my kidneys and pours out my gall on the ground. | 13his archers surround me. Without pity he pierces my kidneys and pours out my gall on the ground. |
| 14He breaks through against me, time and time again; he rushes against me like a warrior. | 14He breaks through against me, time and time again; he rushes against me like a warrior. |
| 15I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and buried my horn in the dust; | 15I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and buried my horn in the dust; |
| 16my face is reddened because of weeping, and on my eyelids there is a deep darkness, | 16my face is reddened because of weeping, and on my eyelids there is a deep darkness, |
| 17although there is no violence in my hands and my prayer is pure. | 17although there is no violence in my hands and my prayer is pure. |
| 18"O earth, do not cover my blood, nor let there be a secret place for my cry. | 18"O earth, do not cover my blood, nor let there be a secret place for my cry. |
| 19Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. | 19Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. |
| 20My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; | 20My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; |
| 21and he contends with God on behalf of man as a man pleads for his friend. | 21and he contends with God on behalf of man as a man pleads for his friend. |
| 22For the years that lie ahead are few, and then I will go on the way of no return. | 22For the years that lie ahead are few, and then I will go on the way of no return. |
|
    |