"Howbeit there is no wickedness in my hands, and my prayer is clean.

O earth, cover not my blood, and let my crying find no room.

Though a body might plead with God, as one man doth with another,

yet the number of my years are come - and I must go the way from whence I shall not turn again.

For lo, my witness is in heaven, and he that knoweth me, is above in the height.

My friends laugh me to scorn, but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.

Job answered, and said,

He is angry at me, he hateth me, and gnasheth upon me with his teeth. Mine enemy scowleth upon me with his eyes.

I could speak as ye do also. But would God, that your soul were in my soul's stead: then should I heap up words against you, and shake my head at you.

"I have oft times heard such things. Miserable givers of comfort are ye, all the sort of you.

I was some time in wealth, but suddenly hath he brought me to naught. He hath taken me by the neck, he hath rent me, and set me, as it were a mark for him to shoot at.

I have sewed a sackcloth upon my skin, and lie with my strength in the dust.

I should comfort you with my mouth, and release your pain with the talking of my lips.

His archers compass me round about; he hath wounded my loins, and not spared. My bowels hath he poured upon the ground.

"But what shall I do? For all my words, my sorrow will not cease: and though I hold my tongue, yet will it not depart from me.

And that thou hast filled me with wrinkles, my flesh is witness; and my leanness riseth up against me and beareth witness thereof in my face.

My face is swollen with weeping, and mine eyes are waxen dim.

They have opened their mouths wide upon me, and smitten me upon the cheek despitefully, they have eased themselves through mine adversity.

But now that God hath sent me adversity, thou hast troubled all my congregation.

He hath given me one wound upon another, and is fallen upon me like a giant.

God hath given me over to the ungodly, and delivered me into the hands of the wicked.

Shall not thy vain words come yet to an end? Or, hast thou yet any more to say?