¹ Then Job answered, ² “I have heard many such things. ³ Shall vain words have an end? ⁴ I also could speak as you do. ⁵ but I would strengthen you with my mouth. ⁶ “Though I speak, my grief is not subsided.
Though I forbear, what am I eased? ⁷ But now, God, you have surely worn me out. ⁸ You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. ⁹ He has torn me in his wrath and persecuted me. ¹⁰ They have gaped on me with their mouth. ¹¹ God delivers me to the ungodly, ¹² 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. ¹³ His archers surround me. ¹⁴ He breaks me with breach on breach. ¹⁵ I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, ¹⁶ My face is red with weeping. ¹⁷ although there is no violence in my hands, ¹⁸ “Earth, don’t cover my blood. ¹⁹ Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. ²⁰ My friends scoff at me.
My eyes pour out tears to God, ²¹ that he would maintain the right of a man with God, ²² For when a few years have come,