|
[1] THEN Job answered and said,
[2] I have heard many such things; wicked comforters are you all.
[3] Do not grieve my spirit with words; even though you speak, I will not answer.
[4] I also could speak as you do; I wish you were in my place, then I could try you out with words, and shake my head at you.
[5] I would prove you with your own words, and the words of my lips would not spare you
[6] If I speak, my pain is not assuaged; and if I forbear, who can comfort me?
[7] But now he has troubled me, and yet has preserved all of my testimony.
[8] Thou didst appoint me and I became a witness, but my lies have testified against me; and I spoke in his presence.
[9] He has torn me and broken me in his wrath; he gnashes upon me with his teeth; my enemy sharpens his eyes against me.
[10] They have gaped upon me with their mouth reproachfully; they have smitten me upon my cheeks; they were filled with rage against me.
[11] God has delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.
[12] I was at ease, but he has smitten me; he has also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his target.
[13] His arrows are round about me, he shoots at my kidneys and does not spare; he pours out my gall on the ground.
[14] He breaks me with breach upon breach; he runs against me like a giant.
[15] I have girded sackcloth upon my skin, and I have covered my head with dust.
[16] My face is troubled with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death
[17] But not for any iniquity in my hands; my prayer also is pure.
[18] O earth, cover not my blood, and let my cry have no place!
[19] And now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my acquaintances are on high.
[20] O my brethren and my neighbors! my eyes pour out tears to God!
[21] O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleads for his neighbor!
[22] For the number of a man's years will come to an end; then he shall go the way from whence he shall not return
|