Job 16

1 And Job answered and said,

Then Job answered,

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

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

3 Shall words of wind 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: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could join together words against you, and shake my 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 encourage you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips should assuage [your pain].

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

6 If I speak, my pain is not assuaged; and if 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 family;

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

8 Thou hast shrivelled me up! it is become a witness; and my leanness riseth up against me, it beareth witness 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 His anger teareth and pursueth me; he gnasheth with his teeth against me; [as] mine adversary he sharpeneth his eyes at 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 gape upon me with their mouth; they smite my cheeks reproachfully; they range 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 hath delivered me over to the iniquitous man, and hurled 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 rest, but he hath shattered me; he hath taken me by the neck and shaken me to pieces, and 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 arrows encompass 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 bile on the ground.

14 He breaketh me with breach upon breach; he runneth upon me like a mighty man.

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

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

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

16 My face is red 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 my hands, and my prayer is pure.

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

18 O earth, cover not my blood, and let there be no place for my cry!

“Earth, don’t cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest.

19 Even now, behold, my Witness is in the heavens, and he that voucheth for me is in the heights.

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

20 My friends are my mockers; mine eye poureth out tears unto God.

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

21 Oh that there were arbitration for a man with God, as a son of man for his friend!

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

22 For years [few] in number shall pass, — and I shall go the way [whence] I shall not return.

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