and exclaimed: "I left my mother's womb naked, and I will return to God naked. The LORD has given, and the LORD has taken. May the name of the LORD be blessed."

For the dreaded thing that I feared has happened to me, what caused me to worry has engulfed me.

I will not be at ease; I will not be quiet; I will not rest; because trouble has arrived."

A word from you has supported those who have stumbled, and has strengthened faltering knees.

"Your fear of God has been your confidence, hasn't it? The integrity of your life has been your hope, hasn't it?

Now please think: Who has ever perished when they're innocent? Where have the upright been destroyed?

At least I could still take comfort and rejoice in unceasing anguish, for I didn't conceal what the Holy One has to say.

The friend shows gracious love for his friend, even if he has forsaken the fear of the Almighty.

The truth can be painful, but what has your argument proven?

You gave life and gracious love to me; your providential care has preserved my spirit.

You'll forget your suffering; you'll remember it like water that has evaporated.

So I'm a man who wears out like something rotten, like a garment that has become moth-eaten."

Are God's encouragements inconsequential to you, even a word that has been spoken gently to you?

"The wicked person writhes in pain throughout his life, a number of years has been reserved for the ruthless.

"For he has raised his fist against God, defying the Almighty.

"God has certainly worn me out; you devastated my entire world.

God has delivered me over to the ungodly, throwing me into the control of the wicked.

"Listen, earth! Don't cover my blood, for my outcry has no place to rest.

"He has made me a byword among people; I'm being spit on in the face.

"For he has stumbled into a net with his own feet; he walked right into the network!

He has no children or descendants within his own people; and no survivors where he once lived.

then at least you must know that God has accused me of wrong, and trapped me with his net."

"He has stripped me of my honor; he has stolen the crown off my head!

He is breaking me down on every side, and now it's too late for me; he has uprooted my hopes like a tree.

"Be gracious to me, be gracious to me, my friends, because God's hand has struck me.

Why are you chasing me, as God has been doing? Aren't you satisfied that I'm sick?

Even after my skin has been destroyed, clothed in my flesh I will see God,

"He will restore what he has attained from his work and won't consume it; he won't enjoy the profits from his business transactions,

because he has crushed and abandoned the poor; he has seized a house that he didn't build.

"It will come about that, when he has filled himself to the full, God will vent his burning anger on him; he will pour it out on him and on his body.

"Total darkness has been reserved for his treasures; a fire that has no need to be kindled will devour him and consume whatever remains in his possession.

Who will expose his conduct to his face? Who will repay him for what he has done

Accept what he has to teach you, and treasure his words in your heart.

If only I knew where to find him, I would visit him where he has taken his seat.

I haven't wandered away from the commands that he has spoken; I've treasured what he has said more than my own meals."

He'll complete what he has planned for me; he has many things in mind for me!

God has caused me to faint; the Almighty makes me terrified!

Sheol is naked before God and Abaddon has no clothes.

He has enclosed the face of the full moon and spread his clouds over it.

He has delimited a boundary over the surface of the oceans as a limit between light and darkness.

"The living God has withheld justice from me; the Almighty has made my life bitter.

If he has many children, their destiny is to die by the sword, and his descendants won't have enough food.

"He has built his house like a moth's cocoon, like a temporary sunshade that a watchman makes.

It has been concealed from the sight of every living creature and hidden even from the birds in the skies.

He has commanded mankind: "To fear the Lord that is wisdom; to move away from evil that is understanding.'"

But God has loosened his cord and afflicted me; so they've cast off all restraints in my presence.

"Now, my soul pours itself out; the time of my affliction has taken control of me.

I'm boiling mad inside, and I won't remain silent; the time for my affliction to confront me has arrived.

"If my heart has been seduced by a woman and I've laid in wait at my friend's door,

People in my household have said, "We cannot find anyone who has not been satisfied with his meat,' haven't they?

Have I feared large crowds? Has my family's contempt ever terrified me so that I remained silent and wouldn't go outside?"

Nevertheless, God has found a pretext to attack me; he considers me his enemy.

He has bound my feet in shackles, and keeps watching everything I do.'"

He cannot stand his food, and he has no desire for appetizing food.

"He'll sing to mankind with these words: "I've sinned. I have twisted what is right. Yet he has not repaid me like I deserve.

He has redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit; my life will see the light.'

Now this is Job's claim: "Even though I'm innocent, God has stopped treating me righteously.

As a result, the cries of the poor have reached him and he has heard the cry of the afflicted.

"Has anyone ever really told God, "I've endured, and I won't act corruptly anymore.

Job has been speaking from his own ignorance, and what he has to say lacks insight!

because he has been adding rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us, and keeps on ranting against God."

because what I have to say isn't deceptive, and the one who has perfect knowledge is with you."

Who ordained his path for him, and who has asked him, "You are wrong, aren't you?'

Remember to magnify his awesome activities, about which mortal man has sung.

His thunder roars after it; his majestic voice will thunder; and no one can trace them once his voice has been heard.

Has it been relayed to God that I want to talk? Can a person speak when he is confused?"

Who has the wisdom to be able to count the clouds, or to empty the water jars of heaven,

She mistreats her young as though they're not hers, and she has no fear that her labor may be in vain,

Now take a look at the strength that he has in his loins, and in the muscles of his abdomen.