The Book of Job

And Job answers and says:

“I have heard many such things, || Miserable comforters [are] you all.

Is there an end to words of wind? Or what emboldens you that you answer?

I also, like you, might speak, || If your soul were in my soul’s stead. I might join against you with words, || And nod at you with my head.

I might harden you with my mouth, || And the moving of my lips might be sparing.

If I speak, my pain is not restrained, || And I cease—what goes from me?

Only, now, it has wearied me; You have desolated all my company,

And You loathe me, || For it has been a witness, || And my failure rises up against me, || It testifies in my face.

His anger has torn, and He hates me, || He has gnashed at me with His teeth, || My adversary sharpens His eyes for me.

They have gaped on me with their mouth, || In reproach they have struck my cheeks, || Together they set themselves against me.

God shuts me up to the perverse, || And turns me over to the hands of the wicked.

I have been at ease, and He breaks me, || And He has laid hold on my neck, || And He breaks me in pieces, || And He raises me to Him for a mark.

His archers go around against me. He split my reins, and does not spare, || He pours out my gall to the earth.

He breaks me—breach on breach, || He runs on me as a mighty one.

I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, || And have rolled my horn in the dust.

My face is foul with weeping, || And on my eyelids [is] death-shade.

Not for violence in my hands, || And my prayer [is] pure.

O earth, do not cover my blood! And let there not be a place for my cry.

Also, now, behold, my witness [is] in the heavens, || And my testifier in the high places.

My interpreter [is] my friend, || My eye has dropped to God;

And He reasons for a man with God, || As a son of man for his friend.

When a few years come, || Then I go [on] the path of no return.”

Then Job answered,

“I have heard many such things. You are all miserable comforters!

Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?

I also could speak as you do. If your soul were in my soul’s place, I could join words together against you, and shake my head at you,

but I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you.

“Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?

But now, God, you have surely worn me out. You have made all my company desolate.

You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me. It testifies to my face.

He has torn me in his wrath and persecuted me. He has gnashed on me with his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes on me.

They have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me.

God delivers me to the ungodly, and casts me into the hands of the wicked.

I was at ease, and he broke me apart. Yes, he has taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces. He has also set me up for his target.

His archers surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. He pours out my bile on the ground.

He breaks me with breach on breach. He runs at me like a giant.

I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and have thrust my horn in the dust.

My face is red with weeping. Deep darkness is on my eyelids,

although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.

“Earth, don’t cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest.

Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on high.

My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to God,

that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of man with his neighbor!

For when a few years have come, I will go the way of no return.