Job

Chapter 16

1 Then Job answered and said:

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

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

4 I 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

11 G-d delivereth me to the ungodly, and casteth me into the hands of the wicked.

12 I 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

20 Mine inward thoughts are my intercessors, mine eye poureth out tears unto G-d;

21 That He would set aright a man contending with G-d, as a son of man setteth aright his neighbour!

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