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 emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?4 I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake my head at you.5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth and the moving of my lips should assuage 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 filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.9 He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; my enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.10 They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves against me.11 God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.12 I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.13 His archers encompass me; 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 defiled my horn in the dust.16 My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids are the shades of death;17 Not for any injustice in my hands: also my prayer is pure.18 O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.19 Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.20 My friends scorn me: but my eye poureth out tears to God.21 O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor!22 When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.