1But Job answered and said:

2Of such things as these I have heard enough! Miserable comforters are ye all!

3Will there ever be an end to words of wind? What stirreth thee up, that thou answerest?

4I also might speak like you, If ye were now in my place; I might string together words against you, And shake my head at you.

5I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the consolation of my lips should sustain you.

6If I speak, my grief is not assuaged; And if I forbear, it doth not leave me.

7For now He hath quite exhausted me; Thou hast desolated all my house!

8Thou hast seized hold of me, and this is a witness against me; My leanness riseth up and testifieth against me to my face.

9His anger teareth my flesh, and pursueth me; He gnasheth upon me with his teeth; My adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me.

10They gape for me with their mouths; In scorn they smite me on the cheek; With one consent they assemble against me.

11God hath given me a prey to the unrighteous, And delivered me into the hands of the wicked.

12I was at ease, but he hath crushed me; He hath seized me by the neck, and dashed me in pieces; He hath set me up for his mark.

13His archers encompass me around; He pierceth my reins, and doth not spare; He poureth out my gall upon the ground.

14He breaketh me with breach upon breach; He rusheth upon me like a warrior.

15I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, And thrust my horn into the dust.

16My face is red with weeping, And upon my eyelids is deathlike darkness.

17Yet is there no injustice in my bands. And my prayer hath been pure.

18O earth! cover not thou my blood, And let there be no hiding-place for my cry!

19Yet even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And he who knoweth me is on high.

20My friends have me in derision, But my eye poureth out tears unto God.

21O that one might contend for a man with God, As a man contendeth with his neighbor!

22For when a few years shall have passed, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.