Job 16

1Then Job answered and said, 2I have heard many such things:Miserable comforters are ye all. 3Shall vain words have an end?Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest? 4I 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. 5But I would strengthen you with my mouth,And the solace of my lips would assuage your grief.

6Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged;And though I forbear, what am I eased? 7But now he hath made me weary:Thou hast made desolate all my company. 8And 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. 9He hath torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me;He hath gnashed upon me with his teeth:Mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me. 10They have gaped upon me with their mouth;They have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully:They gather themselves together against me. 11God delivereth me to the ungodly,And casteth me into the hands of the wicked. 12I 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. 13His archers compass me round about;He cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare;He poureth out my gall upon the ground. 14He breaketh me with breach upon breach;He runneth upon me like a giant. 15I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin,And have laid my horn in the dust. 16My face is red with weeping,And on my eyelids is the shadow of death; 17Although there is no violence in my hands,And my prayer is pure.

18O earth, cover not thou my blood,And let my cry have no resting-place. 19Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven,And he that voucheth for me is on high. 20My friends scoff at me:But mine eye poureth out tears unto God, 21That he would maintain the right of a man with God,And of a son of man with his neighbor! 22For when a few years are come,I shall go the way whence I shall not return.