Job 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.⋮