Job 16
1 Then answered Job, and said,
Then Job answered,
2 I have heard many things such as these: troublesome comforters are ye all.
"I have heard many such things. You are all miserable comforters.
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 provokes you that you answer?
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 you do. If your soul were in my soul's place, 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. The solace of my lips would relieve you.
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 subsided. 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 has worn me out. You have laid waste 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.
You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me. It testifies 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 has torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me. He has gnashed on me with his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes on me.
10 They now open wide against me their mouth; reproachfully they smite my cheek: altogether do they assemble against me.
They have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me on 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 delivers me to the ungodly, and casts 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 broke me apart. Yes, he has taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces. He has also set me up for his target.
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 surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. He pours out my gall on the ground.
14 He breaketh me down with breach upon breach; he runneth against me like a mighty man.
He breaks me with breach on breach. He runs on me like a giant.
15 Sackcloth have I sewed upon my skin, and my horn I roll in the dust.
I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and have thrust 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. Deep darkness is on my eyelids.
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.
"Earth, do not cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest.
19 Even now, behold, my witness is in the heavens, and one that testifieth for me is on high.
Even now, look, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on high.
20 Are my friends my defenders? unto God my eye poureth out [its tears].
My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to 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, 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 have come, I shall go the way from where I shall not return.
