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"I have heard
<2> all these things before.
You three men give me trouble, not comfort.
<3> Your long speeches never end!
Why do you continue arguing?
<4> I also could say the same things you say,
if you had my troubles.
I could say wise things against you
and shake my head at you.
<5> But I could encourage you
and give you hope with the things I say.
<6> "Nothing I say makes my pain go away.
But keeping quiet does not help either.
<7> God, you surely took away my strength.
You destroyed my whole family.
<8> You have made me thin and weak,
and people think that means I am guilty.
<9> "God attacks me;
he is angry with me and tears my body apart.
He grinds his teeth against me.
My enemy looks at me with hate.
<10> People have crowded around me.
They make fun of me and slap my face.
<11> God has given me to evil people.
He let the wicked hurt me.
<12> Everything was fine with me,
but then God crushed me.
Yes, he took me by the neck
and broke me into pieces.
He used me for target practice.
<13> His archers[35] are all around me.
He shoots arrows in my kidneys.
He shows no mercy.
He spills my gall[36] on the ground.
<14> Again and again God attacks me.
He runs at me like a soldier in battle.
<15> "I am very sad,
so I wear these clothes of sadness.
I sit here in the dust and ashes,
and I feel defeated.
<16> My face is red from crying.
There are dark rings around my eyes.
<17> I was never cruel to anyone.
My prayers are pure.
<18> "Earth, don't hide the wrong things
that were done to me.[37]
Don't let my begging for fairness be stopped.
<19> Even now there is someone in heaven
who will speak for me.
There is someone above
who will testify for me.
<20> My friend speaks for me
while my eyes pour out tears to God.
<21> He speaks to God for me
like someone[38] presenting an argument for a friend.
<22> "In only a few years I will go to that
place of no return.
© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.