Job 16

1 Then Job answered and said,

Then Job answered,

2 I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.

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

3 Shall vain words have an end? or what provoketh thee that thou answerest?

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

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.

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 solace of my lips should assuage [your grief].

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

6 Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged: and 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 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 laid fast hold on me, [which] is a witness [against me]: and my leanness riseth up against me, it testifieth 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 hath torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me; he hath gnashed upon me with his teeth: mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon 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 upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon 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 delivereth me to the ungodly, and casteth 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 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.

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 compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.

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 with breach upon breach; he runneth upon me like a giant.

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

15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and have laid my horn in the dust.

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

16 My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;

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

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

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

18 O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no [resting] place.

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

19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and he that coucheth for me is on high.

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

20 My friends scorn me: [but] mine eye poureth out tears unto 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, and of a son of man with his neighbour!

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 are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.

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