Job 16

1Then Job answered and said:

2I have heard many such things; Sorry comforters are ye all.

3Shall windy words have an end? Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest?

4I 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.

5I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the moving of my lips would assuage your grief.

6Though I speak, my pain is not assuaged; And though I forbear, what am I eased?

7But now He hath made me weary; Thou hast made desolate all my company.

8And Thou hast shrivelled me up, which is a witness against me; And my leanness riseth up against me, it testifieth to my face.

9He hath torn me in His wrath, and hated me; He hath gnashed upon me with His teeth; Mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me.

10They have gaped upon me with their mouth; They have smitten me upon the cheek scornfully; They gather themselves together against me.

11God delivereth me to the ungodly, And casteth me into the hands of the wicked.

12I was at ease, and He broke me asunder; Yea, He hath taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces; He hath also 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 have laid my horn in the dust.

16My face is reddened with weeping, And on my eyelids is the shadow of death;

17Although there is no violence in my hands, And my prayer is pure.

18O earth, cover not thou my blood, And let my cry have no resting-place.

19Even now, behold, my Witness is in heaven, And He that testifieth of me is on high.

20Mine inward thoughts are my intercessors, Mine eye poureth out tears unto God;

21That He would set aright a man contending with God, As a son of man setteth aright his neighbour!

22For the years that are few are coming on, And I shall go the way whence I shall not return.