because it shut not up the womb that bare me. For then should these sorrows have been hid from mine eyes.

"And unto me came the word secretly, and mine ear hath received a little thereof.

He stood there, and I knew not his face. An image there was, before mine eyes, and in the stillness heard I a voice.

What power have I to endure? Or, what is mine end, that my soul might be patient?

Mine own brethren pass over by me, as the water brook that hastily runneth through the valleys.

"O remember that my life is but a wind, and that mine eye shall no more see the pleasures thereof;

Therefore I will not spare my mouth, but will speak in the trouble of my spirit; in that bitterness of my mind will I talk.

If I will justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me; if I will put forth my self for a perfect man, he shall prove me a wicked doer.

Though I washed my self with snowy water, and made mine hands never so clean,

yet shouldest thou dip me in the mire, and mine own clothes should defile me.

"If I did sin, thou haddest an eye unto me, and shalt not declare me innocent because of mine offense.

If I have done wickedly, woe is me therefore. If I have done righteously, yet dare I not lift up my head; so full am I of confusion, and see mine own misery.

As for the eyes of the ungodly, they shall be consumed, and not escape: their hope shall be misery and sorrow of mind."

Lo, all this have I seen with mine eye, heard with mine ear, and understand it.

"Hold your tongues now, and let me speak, for there is something come into my mind.

Lo, though he slay me, yet will I put my trust in him. But if I shew and reprove mine own ways in his sight,

Thou hast sealed up mine offenses, as it were in a bag: but be merciful unto my wickedness.

that thy mind is so puffed up against God and lettest such words go out of thy mouth?

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

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

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

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

Froward men are with me, and mine eye must continue in the bitterness of them.

Mine eye is dim for very heaviness, and all my strength is become like a shadow.

"How long will ye vex my mind, and trouble me with words?

He hath spoiled me of mine honour, and taken the crown away from my head.

He hath put my brethren far away from me, and such as were of mine acquaintance, are become strangers unto me.

Mine own kinfolk have forsaken me, and my friends have put me out of remembrance.

The servants and maids of mine own house take me for a stranger, and I am become as an alien in their sight.

Mine own wife may not abide my breath, I was fain to speak fair for the children of mine own body.

"For the same cause do my thoughts compel me to answer. And why? My mind is tossed here and there.

I have sufficiently heard thy checking and reproof; therefore am I purposed to make answer after mine understanding.

"As truly as God liveth, which hath taken away my power from me; and the Almighty, that hath vexed my mind;

God forbid, that I should grant your cause to be right! As for me, until mine end come will I never go from my innocence.

"Therefore mine enemy shall be found as the ungodly; and he that taketh part against me, as the unrighteous.

But now, they that are mine inferiors and younger than I, have me in derision; yea even they, whose fathers I would have thought scorn to have set with the dogs of my cattle.

"Fearfulness is turned against me. Mine honour vanisheth away more swiftly than wind, and my prosperity departeth hence like as it were a cloud.

Therefore is my mind poured full of heaviness, and the days of trouble have taken hold upon me.

Thou art become mine enemy, and with thy violent hand thou takest part against me.

I made a covenant with mine eyes, that I would not look upon a damsel.

If so be that I have withdrawn my foot out of the right way, if my heart hath followed mine eyesight, if I have stained or defiled my hands,

Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder, and mine arm holes be broken from the joints.

Hath my heart meddled privily with any deceit? Or, did I ever kiss mine own hand?

Have I ever rejoiced at the hurt of mine enemy? Or was I ever glad, that any harm happened to him? Oh no.

Yet they of mine own household say, 'Who shall let us to have our belly full of his flesh?'

"Have I kept secret my sin, and hid mine iniquity as Adam did?

So that he gave answer himself, and said, "Considering that I am young, and ye be men of age, I was afraid, and durst not show forth my mind,

Every man, no doubt, hath a mind; but it is the inspiration of the Almighty that giveth understanding.

Therefore will I speak also, insofar as I may be heard, and will show you mine opinion.

"Now hast thou spoken in mine ears, and I have heard the voice of thy words:

I will open unto thee yet more of mine understanding, and prove my maker righteous.

"What is he that hideth his mind with foolish words?

"Or, who hath given me anything afore hand, that I am bound to reward him again? All things under heaven are mine.

For who can keep his own counsel so secret, but it shall be known? Therefore have I spoken unwisely, seeing these things are so high, and pass mine understanding.

I have given diligent ear unto thee, and now I see thee with mine eyes.

Wherefore I give mine own self the blame, and take repentance in the dust and ashes."