1Then Job answered and said, 2“I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all! 3Is there an end to your vain words? Or what emboldens you that you answer? 4I could also speak as you do, if you were in my place. I could heap up words against you, and shake my head at you. 5But instead, I would strengthen and encourage you; and would try to assuage your grief with my words. 6Though I speak to you, my grief is not relieved; and though I remain silent, am I not comforted.

7“But now, Oh God You have worn me down; You, O Lord, have devastated all my family. 8And You have shriveled me and reduced me to skin and bones, my gauntness testifies against me; and bears witness of my guilt. 9He Who hates me tears me in His wrath; He gnashes upon me with His teeth; my Enemy sharpens His gazes upon me. 10People gape at me with open mouths; they have insolently struck me upon the cheek; and unite against me. 11God has delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over to the hands of the wicked. 12I was living quietly until He seized and shattered me; He has also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for His target. 13His archers surround me, He pierces my kidneys, and does not spare; He pours out my gall upon the ground. 14He breaks me with wound after wound; He runs at me like a giant. 15I have sewn sackcloth over my skin, and my pride lies in the dust. 16My face is wet with weeping, and deep shadow circle my eyes; 17Yet my hands are innocent of any violence. Also, my prayer is pure.

18“O earth, do not cover my blood, and let it cry out on my behalf. 19Even now, my advocate who witnesses of my record on my behalf is on high in heaven. 20My friends scorn me; but I pour out my tears to God. 21O that someone might plead for me with God, as a man pleads for his neighbor!

22“Only a few years shall pass before I shall go the way from which I shall never return.