< Job 19

[1] Then Job answered and said,

[2] How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?

[3] These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.

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

[5] If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach:

[6] Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net.

[7] Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment.

[8] He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.

[9] He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head.

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

[11] He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies.

[12] His troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp round about my tabernacle.

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

[14] My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.

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

[16] I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth.

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

[18] Yea, young children despised me; I arose, and they spake against me.

[19] All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me.

[20] My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.

[21] Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.

[22] Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?

[23] Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!

[24] That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!

[25] For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

[26] And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

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

[28] But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?

[29] Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.