< Job 16

[1] Then Job answered and said,

[2] I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.

[3] Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?

[4] I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.

[5] But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.

[6] Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: 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 filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.

[9] He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.

[10] They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.

[11] God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.

[12] I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and 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 defiled my horn in the dust.

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

[17] Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.

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

[19] Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.

[20] My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.

[21] O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!

[22] When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.