Job 16:1-22

16  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.

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