| Chapter 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 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 |
[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 hath made me weary: Thou hast made desolate all my company.
|
8 |
And thou hast laid fast hold on me, [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 persecuted 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 reproachfully: They gather themselves together against me.
|
11 |
God delivereth me to the ungodly, And casteth me into the hands of the wicked.
|
12 |
I was at ease, and he brake 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 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 thou my blood, And let my cry have no [resting] -place.
|
19 |
Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And he that voucheth for me is on high.
|
20 |
My friends scoff at me: [But] mine eye poureth out tears unto 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.
|