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: Miserable comforters are ye all.

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

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

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 ye do; If your soul were in my soul’s stead, 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, And the solace of my lips would assuage [your grief].

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

Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged; And though I forbear, what am I eased?

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

But now he hath made me weary: Thou hast made desolate all my company.

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

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

They have gaped upon me with their mouth; They have smitten me upon 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 delivereth me to the ungodly, And casteth 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 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 surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. He pours out my bile on the ground.

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

He breaketh me with breach upon breach; He runneth upon me like a giant.

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

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

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

My face is red with weeping, And 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, don’t cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest.

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

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

Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And he that voucheth for me is on high.

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

My friends scoff at me: [But] mine eye poureth out tears unto God,

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

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

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

For when a few years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.