Job Chapter 16 Back Next{16:1} Then
Job answered,
{16:2} "I have heard many such things. You are all miserable comforters!
{16:3} Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?
{16:4} 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,
{16:5} but I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you.
{16:6} "Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?
{16:7} But now, God, you have surely worn me out. You have made desolate all my company.
{16:8} You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me. It testifies to my face.
{16:9} 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.
{16:10} They have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me on the
cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me.
{16:11} God delivers me to the ungodly, and casts me into the hands of the wicked.
{16:12} 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.
{16:13} His
archers surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. He pours out my
gall on the ground.
{16:14} He breaks me with
breach on breach. He runs on me like a giant.
{16:15} I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and have thrust my
horn in the
dust.
{16:16} My face is red with weeping. Deep
darkness is on my eyelids.
{16:17} Although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.
{16:18} "
Earth, don't cover my
blood. Let my cry have no place to rest.
{16:19} Even now, behold, my witness is in
heaven. He who vouches for me is on high.
{16:20} My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to God,
{16:21} that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of man with his neighbor!
{16:22} For when a few years have come, I shall go the way of no return.
Job Chapter 16 Back Next