Job speaks:
I have already heard all this before.
You are all miserable comforters!
Will you never quit talking?
Why do you keep arguing these same things?
I could easily say the same things if I were in your shoes.
I could shake my head and accuse you with eloquent speeches.
But I wouldn't!
I would encourage you!
I would try to comfort you!
But what good does talking do me now?
Speaking does not relieve my pain.
Being quiet doesn't help either
O God, you have worn me out!
My whole household is devasted.
God has placed Himself against me.
He attacks me in His anger>
People laugh at me and hit me while I'm down.
Nobody is on my side.
God has placed this upon me.
Everything was going fine and then...
He shattered me.
He took me by the neck and crushed me.
His army surrounds me.
His sword stabs me without pity.
Over and over again like a warrior He attacks me.
I am mired in sorrow.
My face is red from crying.
My eyes have deep shadows around them.
But I am innocent of terrible wrong.
My prayer is pure.
When I die, may my blood cry out from the earth that I am innocent!
Even now, I have a witness in heaven!
I have someone who speaks for me on high!
He is my friend!
As I pour out my tears before God,
He pleads to God for me.
Only a few more years and I will die.
My spirit is broken.
The grave is ready to take me.
Enemies surround me.
O God, please supply for me the price that you demand.
Who else can pay the price?
You have closed the minds of those around me.
You will not let them be shown true.
My eyesight suffers from exhaustion and weeping.
I am thin and emaciated.
Nevertheless, I will not give in!
Come on and try me some more!
I will debate any and all of you!
My life on earth is as good as over.
My plans are history.
What I had hoped for can be forgotten.
What is there left for me to hope for?
Death?
A bed in the grave underground?
Decay?
Worms?
The dark unknown afterlife?
As my body decays into dust?
Next Chapter - Bildad tells Job to give up...
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