Job Reaffirms His Innocence

1 Then Iob answered, and said,

2 I haue heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.

3 Shall vaine words haue an ende? or what emboldeneth thee, that thou answerest?

4 I also could speake as yee doe: if your soule were in my soules stead, I could heape vp words against you, and shake mine head at you.

5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the mouing of my lips should asswage your griefe.

6 Though I speake, my griefe is not asswaged: and though I forbeare; what am I eased?

7 But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate al my companie.

8 And thou hast filled mee with wrinckles, which is a witnesse against me: and my leannesse rising vp in me, beareth witnesse to my face.

9 He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth vpon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes vpon me.

10 They haue gaped vpon me with their mouth, they haue smitten me vpon the cheeke reprochfully, they haue gathered themselues together against mee.

11 God hath deliuered me to the vngodly, and turned me ouer into the hands of the wicked.

12 I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my necke, and shaken me to pieces, and set me vp for his marke.

13 His archers compasse me round about, he cleaueth my reines asunder, and doeth not spare; he powreth out my gall vpon the ground.

14 He breaketh me with breach vpon breach, he runneth vpon me like a giant.

15 I haue sowed sackcloth vpon my skin, and defiled my horne in the dust.

16 My face is fowle with weeping, and on mine eye-lids is the shadow of death;

17 Not for any iniustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.

18 O earth couer not thou my blood, and let my cry haue no place.

19 Also now, behold my witnesse is in heauen, and my record is on high.

20 My friends scorne me: but mine eye powreth out teares vnto God.

21 O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour.

22 When a few yeeres are come, then I shall goe the way whence I shall not returne.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

Agere Sequitur Esse