Job: Poor Comforters are you
1 Then Job answered,
2 “I have heard many such things.
All of you are miserable comforters!
3 Is there an end to your empty words?
Or what provokes you that you answer?
4 I also could speak as you do.
If you were in my place,
I could string words together against you
and shake my head at you,
5 but I would use my mouth to strengthen you,
and my lips to bring you solace and relief.
6 If I speak, my grief is not lessened.
If I forbear, how am I eased?
7 But now, God, you have surely worn me out.
You have devastated my whole family.
8 You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me.
My frailty rises up against me, testifying to my face.
9 He has crushed me in his wrath and persecuted me.
He has chewed on me with his teeth.
My adversary sharpens his eyes on me.
10 They gape at me with their mouths.
They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully.
They gather together against me.
11 God has delivered me to the ungodly
and casts me into the hands of the wicked.
12 I was at ease, and he shattered me.
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.
He splits my insides apart without mercy.
He pours out my bile on the ground.
14 He breaks me over and over.
He runs at me like a giant.
15 I have sewn sackcloth on my skin,
and have buried my pride in the dust.
16 My face is red with weeping.
Deep darkness is on my eyelids.
17 Although there is no violence in my hands,
and my prayer is pure.
18 Earth, do not cover my blood.
Let my cry have no place to rest.
19 Even now, my witness is in heaven.
He who vouches for me is on high.
20 My friends scoff at me.
My eyes pour out tears to God.
21 O that man might plead with God,
like a man pleads for his neighbor!
22 For when a few years have passed,
I will go the way of no return.