16
1 Then Job answered,
2 “I
have heard many
such things.
You are all
miserable comforters!
3 Shall
vain words have
an end?
Or what provokes
you that you
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,
5 but I would
strengthen you with
my mouth.
The solace of
my lips would relieve
you.
6 “Though I
speak, my grief
is not subsided.
Though I forbear,
what am I
eased?
7 But
now, God, you
have surely worn me
out.
You have made
all my company
desolate.
8 You
have shriveled me
up. This is
a witness against
me.
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.
10 They
have gaped on
me with their
mouth.
They have struck
me on 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.
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.
13 His
archers surround
me.
He splits my
kidneys apart, and
does not spare.
He pours out
my bile on
the ground.
14 He
breaks me with
breach on breach.
He runs at
me like a
giant.
15 I
have sewed
sackcloth on my
skin,
and have thrust
my horn in
the dust.
16 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.
18 “Earth, don’t
cover my blood.
Let my cry
have no place
to rest.
19 Even
now, behold, my
witness is in
heaven.
He who vouches
for me is
on high.
20 My
friends scoff at
me.
My eyes pour out tears
to God,
21 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 have come,
I will go
the way of
no return.