< Job 16 >
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.
3 Shall vain words have an end? or what provoketh thee that thou answerest?
4 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 mine head at you.
5 [But] I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips should assuage [your grief].
6 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.
8 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 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 have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully: they gather themselves together against me.
11 God delivereth me to the ungodly, and casteth me into the hands of the wicked.
12 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 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 with breach upon breach; he runneth upon me like a giant.
15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and have laid my horn in the dust.
16 My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;
17 Although there is no violence in mine hands, and my prayer is pure.
18 O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no [resting] place.
19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and he that coucheth for me is on high.
20 My friends scorn me: [but] mine eye poureth out tears unto God;
21 That he would maintain the right of a man with God, and of a son of man with his neighbour!
22 For when a few years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
