Ketuvim (Hagiographer) » Job (Iyov)

{S} Then Job answered and said:

I have heard many such things; sorry comforters are ye all.

Shall windy words have an end? Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest? {S} Then Job answered and said:

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 my head at you.

I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips would assuage your grief.

Though I speak, my pain is not assuaged; and though I forbear, what am I eased?

But now He hath made me weary; Thou hast made desolate all my company.

And Thou hast shrivelled me up, which is a witness against me; and my leanness riseth up against me, it testifieth to my face.

He hath torn me in His wrath, and hated me; He hath gnashed upon me with His teeth; mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me.

They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek scornfully; they gather themselves together against me.

God delivereth me to the ungodly, and casteth me into the hands of the wicked.

I was at ease, and He broke me asunder; yea, He hath taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces; He hath also set me up for His mark.

His archers compass me round about, He cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; He poureth out my gall upon the ground.

He breaketh me with breach upon breach; He runneth upon me like a giant.

I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and have laid my horn in the dust.

My face is reddened with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;

Although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.

O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no resting-place.

Even now, behold, my Witness is in heaven, and He that testifieth of me is on high.

Mine inward thoughts are my intercessors, mine eye poureth out tears unto God;

That He would set aright a man contending with God, as a son of man setteth aright his neighbour!

For the years that are few are coming on, and I shall go the way whence I shall not return.