17. My wife can't stand the way my breath smells. My own relatives won't have anything to do with me.
18. Even little children laugh at me. When I appear, they make fun of me.
19. All of my close friends hate me. Those I love have turned against me.
20. I'm nothing but skin and bones. I've only escaped by the skin of my teeth.
21. "Have pity on me, my friends! Please have pity! God has struck me down with his powerful hand.
22. Why do you chase after me as he does? Aren't you satisfied with what you have done to me already?
23. "I wish my words were written down! I wish they were written on a scroll!
24. I wish they were cut into lead with an iron tool! I wish they were carved in rock forever!
25. I know that my Redeemer lives. In the end he will stand on the earth.
26. After my skin has been destroyed, in my body I'll still see God.
27. I myself will see him with my own eyes. I'll see him, and he won't be a stranger to me. How my heart longs for that day!
28. "You might say, 'Let's keep bothering Job. After all, he's the cause of all of his suffering.'
29. But you should be afraid when God comes to judge you. He'll be angry. He'll punish you with his sword. Then you will know that he is the Judge."