2I have heard many such things: miserable comforters [are] you^2f all.

3Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldens youⁱ that youⁱ answer?

4I also could speak as you^2f [do]: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake my head at you.

5[But] I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should assuage [your grief].

6Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged: and [though] I refrain (restrain; refrein from acting), what am I eased?

7But now he has made me weary: youⁱ have made desolate all my company.

8And youⁱ have filled me with wrinkles, [which] is a witness [against me]: and my leanness rising up in me bears witness to my face.

9He tears [me] in his wrath, who hates me: he gnashes upon me with his teeth; my enemy sharpens 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-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] has delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.

12I was at ease, but he has broken me asunder: he has also taken [me] by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.

13His archers compass (go around, encircle; encompass) me round about, he cleaves my reins (literally, kidneys; figuratively, seat of emotion) asunder, and does not spare; he pours out my gall (something bitter or poisonous) upon the ground.

14He breaks me with breach (breaking forth; a break; opening, inlet) upon breach (breaking forth; a break; opening, inlet), he runs 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 my hands: also my prayer [is] pure.

18O earth, cover not youⁱ 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] my eye pours out [tears] unto God-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered].

21O that one might plead for a man with God-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered], as a man [pleads] for his neighbour!

22When a few years are come, then I shall go the way [from what place] I shall not return.