1Then Job answered and said,
2I have heard many such things:
3Shall vain words have an end?
4I also could speak as ye do; If your soul were in my soul's stead,
5[But] I would strengthen you with my mouth,
6Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged; And though I forbear, what am I eased?
7But now he hath made me weary:
8And thou hast laid fast hold on me, [which] is a witness [against me]:
9He hath torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me; He hath gnashed upon me with his teeth:
10They have gaped upon me with their mouth; They have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully:
11God delivereth me to the ungodly,
12I was at ease, and he brake me asunder; Yea, he hath taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces:
13His archers compass me round about; He cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; He poureth out my gall upon the ground.
14He breaketh me with breach upon breach; He runneth upon me like a giant.
15I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin,
16My face is red with weeping,
17Although there is no violence in my hands,
18O earth, cover not thou my blood,
19Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven,
20My friends scoff at me:
21That he would maintain the right of a man with God,
22For when a few years are come,