“ I have heard many things like these ; miserable comforters are you all.
Is there no end to your long-winded ... speeches ? What provokes you to continue testifying ?
I could also speak if you were in my place ; I could heap up words against you and shake my head at you. ...
But I would encourage you with my mouth , and the consolation of my lips would bring relief.
Even if I speak , my pain is not relieved , and if I hold back , how will it go away ?
Surely He has now exhausted me ; You have devastated all my family.
You have bound me , (and) it has become a witness ; my frailty rises up and testifies against me.
His anger has torn me and opposed me ; He gnashes His teeth at me. My adversary pierces with His eyes.
They open their mouths against me and strike my cheeks with contempt ; they join together against me.
God has delivered me to unjust men ; He has thrown me to the clutches of the wicked.
I was at ease , but He shattered me ; He seized me by the neck and crushed me. He has set me up target ;
His archers surround me. ... He pierces my kidneys without mercy and spills my gall on the ground.
He breaks me with wound upon wound ; He rushes me like a mighty warrior.
I have sewn sackcloth over my skin ; I have buried my horn in the dust.
My face is red with weeping , and deep shadows ring my eyes ;
yet my hands are free of violence and my prayer is pure.
O earth , do not cover my blood ; may my cry for help never be laid to rest.
Even now ... my witness is in heaven , and my advocate is on high.
My friends are my scoffers as my eyes pour out (tears) to God.
Oh, that a man might plead with God as (he) (pleads) ... with his neighbor !
For when only a few years are past I will go the way of no return. (’’)