Because it shut not up the doors of my mother's womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes.

Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.

It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,

What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?

O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.

And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.

If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.

Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.

That thou inquirest after mine iniquity, and searchest after my sin?

If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.

If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction;

Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it.

Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.

My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.

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.

He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.

Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.

My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.

Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?

Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.

If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.

And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself.

He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree.

He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me.

They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight.

My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children's sake of mine own body.

Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.

Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous.

I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.

If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;

If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour's door;

For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase.

Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.

If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much;

If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom:

Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.

And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.

Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.

I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.

Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,

Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.

Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.

I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.