Job Says Friends Are Sorry Comforters
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 “I have heard many such things; Wearisome and miserable comforters are you all.
3 “Is there no end to [your futile] words of wind? Or what plagues you [so much] that you [so boldly] answer [me like this]?
4 “I also could speak like you, If you were in my place; I could compose and join words together against you And shake my head at you.
5 “[But instead] I could strengthen and encourage you with [the words of] my mouth, And the consolation and solace of my lips would soothe your suffering and lessen your anguish.
Job Says God Shattered Him
6 “If I speak [to you miserable comforters], my pain is not relieved; And if I refrain [from speaking], what [pain or anguish] leaves me?
7 “But now God has exhausted me. You [O Lord] have destroyed all my family and my household.
8 “You have taken a firm hold on me and have shriveled me up, It has become a witness [against me]; And my leanness [and infirmity] rises up [as evidence] against me, It testifies to my face [about my guilt].
9 “His wrath has torn me and hunted me down, He has gnashed at me with his teeth; My adversary sharpens His gaze and glares [with piercing eyes] at me.
10 “They have gaped at me with their mouths, With contempt they have struck me on the cheek; They massed themselves together [and conspired] against me. [Ps 22:13; 35:21]
11 “God hands me over to criminals And tosses me [headlong] into the hands of the wicked.
12 “I was [living] at ease, but He crushed me and broke me apart, And He has seized me by the neck and has shaken me to pieces; He has also set me up as His target.
13 “His arrows surround me. He pierces my kidneys (vital organs) without mercy; He pours out my gall on the ground.
14 “He attacks me, making wound after wound; He runs at me like a warrior.
15 “I have sewed sackcloth over my skin [as a sign of mourning] And have defiled my horn (symbol of strength) in the dust.
16 “My face is red and swollen with weeping, And on my eyelids is the shadow of death [my eyes are dimmed],
17 Although there is no violence or wrongdoing in my hands, And my prayer is pure.
18 “O earth, do not cover my blood, And let there be no [resting] place for my cry [where it will cease being heard].
19 “Even now, behold, my Witness is in heaven, And my Advocate [who vouches and testifies for me] is on high. [Rom 1:9]
20 “My friends are scoffers [who ridicule]; My eye pours out tears to God.
21 “Oh, that a man would mediate and plead with God [for me] Just as a man [mediates and pleads] with his neighbor and friend. [1 Tim 2:5]
22 “For when a few years are past, I shall go the way of no return.