Job

If you were in my place,*

I could make persuasive speeches against you

And shake my head at you.+

 5 Instead, though, I would strengthen you with the words of my mouth,

And the consolation of my lips would bring relief.+

 6 If I speak, my own pain is not relieved,+

And if I stop speaking, how much is my pain reduced?

 7 But now he has made me weary;+

He has devastated my whole household.*

 8 You also seize me, and it has become a witness,

So that my own skinniness rises up and testifies to my face.

10 They have opened their mouth wide against me,+

And they have scornfully struck my cheeks;

In large numbers they gather against me.+

11 God hands me over to young boys,

And he thrusts me into the hands of the wicked.+

12 I was untroubled, but he shattered me;+

He grabbed me by the back of the neck and crushed me;

Then he set me up as his target.

13 His archers surround me;+

He pierces my kidneys+ and feels no compassion;

He pours out my gall on the earth.

14 He breaks through against me with breach after breach;

He rushes at me like a warrior.

15 I have sewn sackcloth together to cover my skin,+

And I have buried my dignity* in the dust.+

16 My face is red from weeping,+

And on my eyelids is deep shadow,*

17 Although my hands have done no violence

And my prayer is pure.

19 Even now, my witness is in the heavens;

The one who can testify for me is in the heights.

20 My companions ridicule me+

As my eye sheds tears* to God.+

21 Let someone arbitrate between a man and God,

As one would between a man and his fellow.+

22 For the years to come are few,

And I will go away on the path of no return.+