19 Iyyov responded to Bildad and companions again:

2 How much longer will I be tormented

and crushed with words?

3 You all have scolded me ten times now.

You all should be ashamed for how you’ve ill-treated me.

4 And even if I had truly done something wrong,

my error would remain with me.

5 If you truly think that you’re all better than me,

and use my disgrace to argue against me,

6 then you need to know that God has wronged me,

and he’s closed his net around me.

7 There, I cry out that I’m being attacked and get no answer.

≈I call for help but there’s no justice.

8 He’s blocked my road so I can’t get past,

≈and he places darkness over my paths.

9 He’s taken away all my honour,

and removed the crown from on my head.

10 He’s battered me from every direction and I’m gone.

He’s removed my hope like a tree that’s been uprooted.

11 He’s directed his anger against me,

and treats me as one of his enemies.

12 His troops advance in formation.

They build up a siege ramp against me,

and set-up themselves up around my tent.

13 He’s moved my brothers far away from me,

≈and my acquaintances have certainly kept out of my way.

14 My relatives have deserted me,

≈and my close friends have forgotten me.

15 Those who’ve stayed in my home, and even the female servants regard me as a stranger.

≈I’ve become a foreigner in their eyes.

16 When I call my servant, he doesn’t answer.

≈I try to persuade him with my words.

17 My breath is repugnant to my wife,

and abhorrent to my siblings.

18 Even young boys reject me.

When I stand they speak against me.

19 All my closest friends abhor me,

and those I love have turned on me.

20 My skin and flesh cling to my bones.

I’ve escaped by the skin of my teeth.

21 Pity me, pity me, you my friends,

because God’s hand has touched me.

22 Why do you chase me as if you’re God?

Won’t you be satisfied with destroying my body?

23 Who will permit that my words be written down?

≈Who will allow them to be inscribed onto a scroll

24 with a pen made of iron and lead,

≈or engraved onto stone with a chisel.

25 I do know that my redeemer lives,

and that he will stand on the dust at the end.

26 After my skin has been struck off,

then in my flesh, I’ll see God,

27 yes, I’ll see him for myself.

My eyes will see, and not a stranger.

My heart will feel faint within my chest.

28 You all will say, ‘How will we persecute him

because the root of the matter is found in him?’

29 You all should be afraid of the sword,

because anger bring punishment by then sword,

so that you will know that there is judgement.