Job 16

1Then Job answered and said,

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

3Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?footnote b

4I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.

5But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.

6Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?footnote c

7But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company.

8And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.

9He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.

10They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.

11God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.footnote d

12I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.

13His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.

14He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant.

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

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

17Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.

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

19Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.footnote e

20My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.footnote f

21O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!footnote g

22When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.footnote h

Job Decries His Comforters

1Then Job answered:

2“I have heard many things like these;miserable comforters are you all. 3Is there no end to your long-winded speeches?What provokes you to continue testifying? 4I could also speak like youif you were in my place;I could heap up words against youand shake my head at you. 5But I would encourage you with my mouth,and the consolation of my lips would bring relief.

6Even if I speak, my pain is not relieved,and if I hold back, how will it go away? 7Surely He has now exhausted me;You have devastated all my family. 8You have bound me, and it has become a witness;my frailty rises up and testifies against me. 9His anger has torn me and opposed me;He gnashes His teeth at me.My adversary pierces me with His eyes.

10They open their mouths against meand strike my cheeks with contempt;they join together against me. 11God has delivered me to unjust men;He has thrown me to the clutches of the wicked. 12I was at ease, but He shattered me;He seized me by the neck and crushed me.He has set me up as His target; 13His archers surround me.He pierces my kidneys without mercyand spills my gall on the ground. 14He breaks me with wound upon wound;He rushes me like a mighty warrior.

15I have sewn sackcloth over my skin;I have buried my horn in the dust. 16My face is red with weeping,and deep shadows ring my eyes; 17yet my hands are free of violenceand my prayer is pure.

18O earth, do not cover my blood;may my cry for help never be laid to rest. 19Even now my witness is in heaven,and my advocate is on high. 20My friends are my scoffersas my eyes pour out tears to God. 21Oh, that a man might plead with Godas he pleads with his neighbor! 22For when only a few years are pastI will go the way of no return.