Job Continues His Response to Bildad

• [fn]
• I want to speak out of the bitterness of my inner self.[fn]
• 2 let me know why you contend against me.
• 3  that you despise the labor of your hands,
• and you smile over the schemes of the wicked?
• 4 [fn] Or[fn]
• 5 Are your days as the days of human beings, or your years as the days of man,
• 6  and you search for my sin
• 7  and there is no escaping from your hand?
• 8 [fn][fn] then[fn] you destroyed me.
• 9 [fn] remember that you made me like clay, but[fn] you turn me into dust again?
• 10  and[fn] like cheese?
• 11 with skin and flesh, and you knit me together with bones and sinews.
• 12  and your care has preserved my spirit.
• 13 [fn] you hid these things in your heart; I know that this[fn]
• 14 [fn] you would be watching me, and you would not acquit me of my guilt.
• 15  But[fn] if I am righteous, I dare not lift my head;
• I am filled with shame, and just look at my misery!
• 16 if my head grows bold, you would hunt me as the lion in its prime;[fn]
• 17  and you increase your vexation against me;
• [fn] are against me.
• 18 [fn] why did you bring me forth from the womb? I should have passed away,[fn]
• 19  I should have been brought from the womb to the grave.
• 20 Are not my days few? Let him leave me alone; let him turn from me, and let me rejoice a little.
• 21  to the land of darkness and deep shadow,
• 22 the land of darkness, like the darkness of a deep shadow and[fn]
• so that[fn] it shines forth like darkness.’ ”