16. I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I entreated him with my mouth.
17. My breath is repulsive to my wife, though I make supplication for the children of my own body.
18. Yea, young children despised me; I arose, and they spoke against me.
19. All my close friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved have turned against me.
20. My bone clings to my skin and to my flesh, and I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.
21. Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O you my friends; for the hand of God has touched me.
22. Why do you persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?
23. Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
24. That they were engraved with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever!
25. For I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26. And though after my skin is thus destroyed, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27. Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another; though my heart be consumed within me.
28. But you should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?
29. Be yourselves afraid of the sword: for wrath brings the punishment of the sword, that you may know there is a judgment.