Job 16 | ASV | e4.org | Then Job answered and said,

‏ Job 16

1 Then Job answered and said, 2 I have heard many such things: ^▼▼1 Miserable comforters are ye all. ^{▼▼1) Or Wearisome} 3 Shall ^▼▼1 vain words have an end? Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest? ^{▼▼1) Heb words of wind} 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, ^▼▼1 what am I eased? ^{▼▼1) Heb what departeth from me?} 7 But now he hath made me weary: Thou hast made desolate all my company. 8 And thou hast ^▼▼1 laid fast hold on me, which is a witness against me : And my leanness riseth up against me, It testifieth to my face. ^{▼▼1) Or shrivelled me up} 9 He hath torn me in his wrath, and ^▼▼1 persecuted me; He hath gnashed upon me with his teeth: Mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me. ^{▼▼1) Or hated} 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 ^▼▼1 archers compass me round about; He cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; He poureth out my gall upon the ground. ^{▼▼1) Or arrows ; Or mighty ones} 14 He breaketh me with breach upon breach; He runneth upon me like a ^▼▼1 giant. ^{▼▼1) Or mighty man} 15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, And have ^▼▼1 laid my horn in the dust. ^{▼▼1) Or defiled} 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 ^▼▼1 have no resting -place. ^{▼▼1) Or have no more 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 ^▼▼1 That he would maintain the right of a man with God, And of a son of man with his neighbor! ^{▼▼1) Or That one might plead for a man with God, As a son of man pleadeth for his neighbor.} 22 For when a few years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.