1Then Job answered,
2“I have heard many such things. You are all miserable comforters!
3Will empty words never end? Or what angers you so that you reply?
4I also could speak as you do. If you were in my situation, I could put together words against you and shake my head at you,
5but I would encourage you with my words. The comfort from my lips would relieve you.
6Even if I speak, my grief does not lessen. Even if I stop, how does that help me?
7But now, God, you have truly exhausted me. You have destroyed everyone I associate with.
8You have shriveled me up. This is proof against me. My thinness rises up against me. It testifies to my face.
9He has torn me in his anger and pursued me. He has ground his teeth at me. My enemy glares at me.
10They have opened their mouths wide at me. They have struck me on the cheek with insult. They gather together against me.
11God hands me over to the godless and throws me into the hands of evil people.
12I was comfortable, but he shattered me. He grabbed me by the neck and smashed me to pieces. He has also made me his target.
13His archers surround me. He pierces my kidneys without mercy. He spills my bitterness on the ground.
14He wounds me again and again. He charges at me like a giant.
15I have sewn burlap on my skin, and my honor is brought low in the dust.
16My face is red from crying, and deep shadows are around my eyes.
17Even though my hands are not violent and my prayer is pure.
18“Earth, do not cover my blood! Let my cry have no resting place!
19Even now, look! My witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high.
20My friends make fun of me, while my eyes pour out tears to God,
21asking that he would defend a person's rights before God, and a human being's rights before their neighbor!
22For when only a few years have passed, I will go on a journey from which I will not return.