16In response, Job said:H347H6030H5592"I've heard many things like this. What miserable comforters you all are!H8085H7227H5999H51623Will windy words like yours never end? What is upsetting you that you keep on arguing?H7307H1697H7093H4834H60304"I could also talk like you if only you were in my place! Then I would put together an argument against you. I would shake my head at youH1696H3863H5315H3426H5315H2266H4405H5128H7218H11195and encourage you with what I have to say; my words of comfort would lessen your pain.H553H1119H6310H5205H8193H28206"But if I speak, my pain isn't assuaged; if I refrain from speaking, what do I have to lose?"H1696H3511H2820H2308H1980
Job Claims of God’s Mistreatment
7"God has certainly worn me out; you devastated my entire world.H3811H8074H57128You've arrested me, making me testify against myself! My leanness rises up to attack me, accusing me to my face.H7059H5707H3585H6965H6030H64409His anger tears me in his persistent resentment against me; he gnashes his teeth at me. My adversary glares at me.H2963H639H7852H2786H8127H6862H3913H586910People gaped at me with mouths wide open; they slap me in their scorn and gather together against me.H6473H6310H5221H3895H2781H4390H316211God has delivered me over to the ungodly, throwing me into the control of the wicked.H410H5462H5760H3399H3027H756312"He tore me apart when I was at ease; grabbing me by my neck, he shook me to pieces? then he really made me his target.H7961H6565H270H6203H6327H6965H430713His archers surround me, slashing open my kidneys without pity; he pours out my gall on the ground.H7228H5437H6398H3629H6398H2550H8210H4845H77614Attack follows attack as he breaks through my defenses! He runs over me like a mighty warrior.H6555H6556H6440H6556H7323H136815"I've even sewn sackcloth directly to my skin; I've buried my strength in the dust.H8609H8242H1539H5953H7161H608316My face is red from my tears, and dark shadows encircle my eyelids,H6440H2560H1065H6079H675717even though violence is not my intention, and my prayer is pure."H2555H3709H8605H2134
Job Appeals to Witnesses
18"Listen, earth! Don't cover my blood, for my outcry has no place to rest.H776H3680H1818H2201H472519Even now, behold! I have a witness in heaven, my Advocate is on high.H5707H8064H7717H479120My friends mock me, while my eyes overflow with tears to God,H7453H3887H5869H1811H43321crying for him to arbitrate between this man and God; as a human being does with his fellow neighbor.H3198H1397H433H120H1121H745322For when only a few years have elapsed, I'll start down a path from which I'll never return."H4557H8141H857H1980H734H7725