Job 16

1 Then Job answered,

Then Job answered,

2 "I have heard many such things. You are all miserable comforters.

“I have heard many such things. You are all miserable comforters!

3 Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?

Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?

4 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,

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. The solace of my lips would relieve you.

but I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you.

6 "Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?

“Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?

7 But now he has worn me out. You have laid waste all my company.

But now, God, you have surely worn me out. You have made all my company desolate.

8 You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me. It testifies 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 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.

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 have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together 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 delivers me to the ungodly, and casts me 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, 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.

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 surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. He pours out my gall on the ground.

His archers surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. He pours out my bile on the ground.

14 He breaks me with breach on breach. He runs on me like a giant.

He breaks me with breach on breach. He runs at me like a giant.

15 I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and have thrust my horn in the dust.

I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and have thrust my horn in the dust.

16 My face is red with weeping. Deep darkness is on my eyelids.

My face is red with weeping. Deep darkness is on my eyelids,

17 Although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.

although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.

18 "Earth, do not cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest.

“Earth, do not cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest.

19 Even now, look, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on high.

Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on high.

20 My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to God,

My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to God,

21 that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of man with his neighbor.

that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of man with his neighbor!

22 For when a few years have come, I shall go the way from where I shall not return.

For when a few years have come, I will go the way of no return.