Job complains that God has wronged him, and that family and friends have abandoned him. He declares, I know that my redeemer liveth, and that after his skin is destroyed he will see God.
1 Then Job answered and said ,
2 How long will ye vex my soul , and break me in pieces with words ?
3 These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.
4 And be it indeed that I have erred , mine error remaineth with myself.
5 If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach :
6 Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net .
7 Behold, I cry out of wrong , but I am not heard : I cry aloud , but there is no judgment .
8 He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass , and he hath set darkness in my paths .
9 He hath stripped me of my glory , and taken the crown from my head .
10 He hath destroyed me on every side , and I am gone : and mine hope hath he removed like a tree .
11 He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies .
12 His troops come together , and raise up their way against me, and encamp round about my tabernacle .
13 He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me.
14 My kinsfolk have failed , and my familiar friends have forgotten me.
15 They that dwell in mine house , and my maids , count me for a stranger : I am an alien in their sight .
16 I called my servant , and he gave me no answer ; I intreated him with my mouth .
17 My breath is strange to my wife , though I intreated for the children's sake of mine own body .
18 Yea, young children despised me; I arose , and they spake against me.
19 All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me.
20 My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh , and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth .
21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends ; for the hand of God hath touched me.
22 Why do ye persecute me as God , and are not satisfied with my flesh ?
23 Oh that my words were now written ! oh that they were printed in a book !
24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever !
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth , and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth :
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God :
27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold , and not another ; though my reins be consumed within me.
28 But ye should say , Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?
29 Be ye afraid of the sword : for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword , that ye may know there is a judgment .