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.