1. Then Job answered and said,
2. I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.
3. Shall vain words have an end? or what provoketh thee that thou answerest?
4. I also could speak as ye do; if your soul were in my soul�s stead, I could join words together against you, and shake mine head at you.
5. {cf15i But} I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips should assuage {cf15i your grief}.
6. Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?
7. But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company.
8. And thou hast laid fast hold on me, {cf15i which} is a witness {cf15i against me}: and my leanness riseth up against me, it testifieth to my face.
9. He hath torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me; he hath gnashed upon me with his teeth: mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
10. They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully: they gather themselves together against me.
11. God delivereth me to the ungodly, and casteth me into the hands of the wicked.
12. I was at ease, and he brake me asunder; yea, he hath taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces: he hath also set me up for his mark.
13. His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.
14. He breaketh me with breach upon breach; he runneth upon me like a giant.
15. I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and have laid my horn in the dust.
16. My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;
17. Although there is no violence in mine hands, and my prayer is pure.
18. O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no {cf15i resting} place.
19. Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and he that coucheth for me is on high.
20. My friends scorn me: {cf15i but} mine eye poureth out tears unto God;
21. That he would maintain the right of a man with God, and of a son of man with his neighbour!
22. For when a few years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.