Job 16
1 Then answered Job, and said,
Then Job answered and said,
2 I have heard many things such as these: troublesome comforters are ye all.
I have heard many such things: Miserable comforters are ye all.
3 Shall there be any end to words of wind? or what compelleth thee that thou shouldst answer?
Shall vain words have an end? Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest?
4 I also could well speak as ye do: if your soul were but in my soul's stead, I could overwhelm you with words, and could shake my head at you.
I also could speak as ye do; If your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could join words together against you, And shake my head at you.
5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the condolence of my lips should restrain [your grief].
[But] I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the solace of my lips would assuage [your grief].
6 Though I were to speak, my pain would not be restrained; and though I should forbear, what will go away from me?
Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged; And though I forbear, what am I eased?
7 But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company.
But now he hath made me weary: Thou hast made desolate all my company.
8 And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, they are my witnesses; and my leanness riseth up for me, giveth its testimony to my face.
And thou hast laid fast hold on me, [which] is a witness [against me]: And my leanness riseth up against me, It testifieth to my face.
9 In his wrath he teareth me to pieces, and assaileth me: he gnasheth over me with his teeth; my adversary sendeth threatening looks at me.
He hath torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me; He hath gnashed upon me with his teeth: Mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
10 They now open wide against me their mouth; reproachfully they smite my cheek: altogether do they assemble against me.
They have gaped upon me with their mouth; They have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully: They gather themselves together against me.
11 God hath surrendered me to the unjust, and cast me down into the hands of the wicked.
God delivereth me to the ungodly, And casteth me into the hands of the wicked.
12 I was at ease, but he hath crushed me; he hath also grasped me by the neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up unto himself as a mark;
I was at ease, and he brake me asunder; Yea, he hath taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces: He hath also set me up for his mark.
13 His archers encompass me round about; he cleaveth my reins sunder, and doth not pity; he poureth out upon the ground my gall;
His archers compass me round about; He cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; He poureth out my gall upon the ground.
14 He breaketh me down with breach upon breach; he runneth against me like a mighty man.
He breaketh me with breach upon breach; He runneth upon me like a giant.
15 Sackcloth have I sewed upon my skin, and my horn I roll in the dust.
I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, And have laid my horn in the dust.
16 My face gloweth from weeping, and on my eyelids resteth the shadow of death:
My face is red with weeping, And on my eyelids is the shadow of death;
17 Not because any violence is in my hands, and while my prayer is pure.
Although there is no violence in my hands, And my prayer is pure.
18 Earth! do thou not cover up my blood, and let no place restrain my cry.
O earth, cover not thou my blood, And let my cry have no [resting]-place.
19 Even now, behold, my witness is in the heavens, and one that testifieth for me is on high.
Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And he that voucheth for me is on high.
20 Are my friends my defenders? unto God my eye poureth out [its tears].
My friends scoff at me: [But] mine eye poureth out tears unto God,
21 And oh that a man might plead with God, as one son of earth with the other!
That he would maintain the right of a man with God, And of a son of man with his neighbor!
22 For when the numbered years are passed, then must I travel a path whence I cannot return.
For when a few years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
