Job 19
1 Then Job answered and said,
Job replied,
2 How long will you vex my soul, and destroy me with words? only know that the Lord has dealt with me thus.
“How long will you go on tormenting me? How long will you go on crushing me with words?
3 You speak against me; you do not feel for me, but bear hard upon me.
Ten times already you have humiliated me. Aren't you ashamed for treating me so badly?
4 Yes verily, I have erred in truth, (but the error abides with myself) in having spoken words which it was not right [to speak]; and my words err, and are unreasonable.
Even if I did sin, that's my problem, and has nothing to do with you.
5 But alas! for you magnify yourselves against me, and insult me with reproach.
You think you're so much better than me, and you use my degradation against me.
6 Know then that it is the Lord that has troubled [me], and has raised his bulwark against me.
But you should realize that it's God who has wronged me, he has trapped me in his net.
7 Behold, I laugh at reproach; I will not speak: [or] I will cry out, but [there is] nowhere judgement.
Even though I cry for help, I get no answer; even though I shout my objections, I get no justice.
8 I am fenced round about, and can by no means escape: he has set darkness before my face.
God has walled me in so I can't escape; he has plunged my path into darkness.
9 And he has stripped me of my glory, and has taken the crown from my head.
He has stripped my honor from me; he has taken away my reputation.
10 He has torn me around about, and I am gone: and he has cut off my hope like a tree.
He tears me down from all sides until I am finished; he has destroyed my hope like a tree that is uprooted.
11 And he has dreadfully handled me in anger, and has counted me for an enemy.
His anger burns against me; he treats me as one of his enemies.
12 His troops also came upon me with one accord, liars in wait compassed my ways.
God's troops assemble to attack me. They build ramparts against me. They encircle and besiege my home.
13 My brethren have stood aloof from me; they have recognised strangers [rather] than me: and my friends have become pitiless.
He has driven my brothers far away from me; all my former friends are estranged from me.
14 My nearest of kin have not acknowledged me, and they that knew my name, have forgotten me.
My relatives have abandoned me; my close friends have forgotten me.
15 [As for] my household, and my maidservants, I was a stranger before them.
My house guests and my maidservants treat me as a stranger—to them I have become a foreigner.
16 I called my servant, and he listened not; and my mouth entreated [him].
I call my servant, but he doesn't reply. I have to beg him!
17 And I implored my wife, and earnestly entreated the sons of my concubines.
I am repulsive to my wife, and I am loathsome to my own brothers.
18 But they rejected me for ever; whenever I rise up, they speak against me.
Even young children despise me; when I stand up they ridicule me.
19 They that saw me abhorred me: the very persons whom I had loved, rose up against me.
All my closest friends despise me, and those I loved have turned on me.
20 My flesh is corrupt under my skin, and my bones are held in [my] teeth.
I've been reduced to skin and bones and I survive by the skin of my teeth.
21 Pity me, pity me, O friends; for it is the hand of the Lord that has touched me.
Have pity on me, my friends, have pity on me, because God has struck me down!
22 Therefore do you persecute me as also the Lord [does], and are not satisfied with my flesh?
Why are you persecuting me like God does? Aren't you satisfied with getting your pound of flesh?
23 For oh that my words were written, and that they were recorded in a book forever,
I wish my words could be written down, recorded in a book,
24 with an iron pen and lead, or graven in the rocks!
or engraved with an iron pen and molten lead in the rock forever.
25 For I know that he is eternal who is about to deliver me,
I know my Redeemer is alive, and that he shall finally take the stand for me on the earth.
26 [and] to raise up upon the earth my skin that endures these [sufferings]: for these things have been accomplished to me of the Lord;
Even though my skin is destroyed, in my body I shall see God.
27 which I am conscious of in myself, which mine eye has seen, and not another, but all have been fulfilled to me in [my] bosom.
I myself will see him—with my own eyes, and not those of someone else! The thought overcomes me!
28 But if you shall also say, What shall we say before him, and [so] find the root of the matter in him?
You say to yourselves, ‘How can we make him suffer so he can see he is the source of his problems?’
29 Do you also beware of deceit: for wrath will come upon transgressors; and then shall they know where their substance is.
You yourselves should fear being punished by God, for you know anger brings God's punishment that accompanies judgment.”
