Job calls his friends miserable comforters and says that God has worn him out. He says that even now his witness is in heaven and pleads for a mediator.
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 emboldeneth thee that thou answerest ?
4 I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.
5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth , and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.
6 Though I speak , my grief is not asswaged : 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 filled me with wrinkles , which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face .
9 He teareth me in his wrath , who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth ; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
10 They have gaped upon me with their mouth ; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully ; they have gathered themselves together against me.
11 God hath delivered me to the ungodly , and turned me over into the hands of the wicked .
12 I was at ease , but he hath broken me asunder : he hath also taken me by my neck , and shaken me to pieces , and 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 defiled my horn in the dust .
16 My face is foul with weeping , and on my eyelids is the shadow of death ;
17 Not for any injustice in mine hands : also my prayer is pure .
18 O earth , cover not thou my blood , and let my cry have no place .
19 Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven , and my record is on high .
20 My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God .
21 O that one might plead for a man with God , as a man pleadeth for his neighbour !
22 When a few years are come , then I shall go the way whence I shall not return .