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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 provoketh thee that thou answerest?⁴ I also could speak as ye do; if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could join words together against you, and shake mine head at you.⁵ But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the solace 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 laid fast hold on me, which is a witness against me: and my leanness riseth up against me, it testifieth to my face.⁹ He hath torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me; he hath gnashed upon me with his teeth: mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me.¹⁰ They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully: they gather themselves together against me.¹¹ God delivereth me to the ungodly, and casteth me into the hands of the wicked.¹² I was at ease, and he brake me asunder; yea, he hath taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces: he hath also set me up for his mark.¹³ His archers compass me round about, 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 have laid my horn in the dust.¹⁶ My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;

¹⁷ Although there is no violence in mine hands, and my prayer is pure.¹⁸ O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no resting place.¹⁹ Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and he that coucheth for me is on high.²⁰ My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God;²¹ That he would maintain the right of a man with God, and of a son of man with his neighbour!²² For when a few years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.