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 provokes thee that thou 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 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 has made me weary. Thou have 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 have laid fast hold on me, which is a witness against me. And 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 upon me with his teeth. My adversary sharpens 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 delivers me to the perverse, 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. Yea, he has taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces. He has 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 encompass me round about. He splits my reins apart, and does not spare. He pours out my gall upon the ground.

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

He breaks me with breach upon breach. He runs 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 the shadow of death 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, don’t cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest.

O earth, do not cover 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 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 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!

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 where I shall not return.