Job 16

1 Then Job answered and said, 2 I have heard many such things: Miserable comforters are you all. 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 stead, I could join words together against you, And shake my head at you. 5 [But] I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the solace of my lips would assuage [your grief]. 6 Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged; And though I forbear, what am I eased? 7 But now he has made me weary: You have made desolate all my company. 8 And you have laid fast hold on me, [which] is a witness [against me]: And my leanness rises up against me, It testifies to my face. 9 He has torn me in his anger, and persecuted me; He has gnashed upon me with his teeth: Mine adversary sharpens his eyes upon me. 10 They have gaped upon me with their mouth; They have smitten me upon 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 brake me asunder; Yea, he has taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces: He has also set me up for his mark. 13 His archers compass me round about; He cleaves my reins asunder, and does not spare; He pours out my gall upon the ground. 14 He breaks me with breach upon breach; He runs 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 red 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 you my blood, And let my cry have no [resting] -place. 19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And he who vouches for me is on high. 20 My friends scoff at me: [But] mine eye pours out tears to God, 21 That he would maintain the right of a man with God, And of a son of man with his neighbor! 22 For when a few years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.