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16 Then Job answered, and said:

I have often heard such things as these: you are all troublesome comforters.

Shall windy words have no end? or is it any trouble to thee to speak?

I also could speak like you: and would God your soul were for my soul.

I would comfort you also with words, and would wag my head over you.

I would strengthen you with my mouth, and would move my lips, as sparing you.

But what shall I do? If I speak, my pain will not rest: and if I hold my peace, it will not depart from me.

But now my sorrow hath oppressed me, and all my limbs are brought to nothing.

My wrinkles bear witness against me, and a false speaker riseth up against my face, contradicting me.

10 He hath gathered together his fury against me, and threatening me he hath gnashed with his teeth upon me: my enemy hath beheld me with terrible eyes.

11 They have opened their mouths upon me, and reproaching me they have struck me on the cheek, they are filled with my pains.

12 God hath shut me up with the unjust man, and hath delivered me into the hands of the wicked.

13 I that was formerly so wealthy, am all on a sudden broken to pieces: he hath taken me by my neck, he hath broken me, and hath set me up to be his mark.

14 He hath compassed me round about with his lances, he hath wounded my loins, he hath not spared, and hath poured out my bowels on the earth.

15 He hath torn me with wound upon wound, he hath rushed in upon me like a giant.

16 I have sowed sackcloth upon my skin, and have covered my flesh with ashes.

17 My face is swollen with weeping, and my eyelids are dim.

18 These things have I suffered without the iniquity of my hand, when I offered pure prayers to God.

19 O earth, cover not thou my blood, neither let my cry find a hiding place in thee.

20 For behold my witness is in heaven, and he that knoweth my conscience is on high.

21 My friends are full of words: my eye poureth out tears to God.

22 And O that a man might so be judged with God, as the son of man is judged with his companion!

23 For behold short years pass away and I am walking in a path by which I shall not return.

Job

16 Then Job replied:

“I have heard many things like these;
    you are miserable comforters,(A) all of you!(B)
Will your long-winded speeches never end?(C)
    What ails you that you keep on arguing?(D)
I also could speak like you,
    if you were in my place;
I could make fine speeches against you
    and shake my head(E) at you.
But my mouth would encourage you;
    comfort(F) from my lips would bring you relief.(G)

“Yet if I speak, my pain is not relieved;
    and if I refrain, it does not go away.(H)
Surely, God, you have worn me out;(I)
    you have devastated my entire household.(J)
You have shriveled me up—and it has become a witness;
    my gauntness(K) rises up and testifies against me.(L)
God assails me and tears(M) me in his anger(N)
    and gnashes his teeth at me;(O)
    my opponent fastens on me his piercing eyes.(P)
10 People open their mouths(Q) to jeer at me;(R)
    they strike my cheek(S) in scorn
    and unite together against me.(T)
11 God has turned me over to the ungodly
    and thrown me into the clutches of the wicked.(U)
12 All was well with me, but he shattered me;
    he seized me by the neck and crushed me.(V)
He has made me his target;(W)
13     his archers surround me.(X)
Without pity, he pierces(Y) my kidneys
    and spills my gall on the ground.
14 Again and again(Z) he bursts upon me;
    he rushes at me like a warrior.(AA)

15 “I have sewed sackcloth(AB) over my skin
    and buried my brow in the dust.(AC)
16 My face is red with weeping,(AD)
    dark shadows ring my eyes;(AE)
17 yet my hands have been free of violence(AF)
    and my prayer is pure.(AG)

18 “Earth, do not cover my blood;(AH)
    may my cry(AI) never be laid to rest!(AJ)
19 Even now my witness(AK) is in heaven;(AL)
    my advocate is on high.(AM)
20 My intercessor(AN) is my friend[a](AO)
    as my eyes pour out(AP) tears(AQ) to God;
21 on behalf of a man he pleads(AR) with God
    as one pleads for a friend.

22 “Only a few years will pass
    before I take the path of no return.(AS)

Footnotes

  1. Job 16:20 Or My friends treat me with scorn