Job 16

1 Then Job answered,

Then Job answered and said,

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?

Will useless words ever have an end? What is wrong with you that you answer like this?

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 you were in my place; I could collect and join words together against you and shake my head at you in mockery.

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

I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the quivering of my lips will bring you relief!

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

If I speak, my grief is not lessened; if I keep from speaking, how am I helped?

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

But now, God, you have made me weary; you have made all my family 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 made me dry up, which itself is a witness against me; the leanness of my body rises up against me, and it testifies against 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.

God has torn me in his wrath and persecuted me; He grinds his teeth in rage; my enemy fastens his eyes on me as he tears me apart.

10 They have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me.

People have gaped with open mouth at me; they have hit me reproachfully on the cheek; they have gathered together against me.

11 God delivers me to the ungodly, and casts me into the hands of the wicked.

God hands me over to ungodly people, and throws me into the hands of wicked people.

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. Indeed, he has taken me by the neck and dashed me to pieces; he has also set me up as 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 all around; God pierces my kidneys and does not spare me; he pours out my bile on the ground.

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

He smashes through my wall again and again; he runs upon me like a warrior.

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

I have sewn sackcloth on my skin; I have thrust my horn into the ground.

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

My face is red with weeping; on my eyelids is the shadow of death

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 up my blood; let my cry have no resting place.

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

Even now, see, 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, but my eye pours out tears to God.

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

I ask for that witness in heaven to argue for this man with God as a man does 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 passed, I will go to a place from where I will not return.