JPS - Job - 16

16:1  Then Job answered and said:

16:2  I have heard many such things; sorry comforters are ye all.

16:3  Shall windy words have an end? Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest?

16:4  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.

16:5  I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips would assuage your grief.

16:6  Though I speak, my pain is not assuaged; and though I forbear, what am I eased?

16:7  But now He hath made me weary; Thou hast made desolate all my company.

16:8  And Thou hast shrivelled me up, which is a witness against me; and my leanness riseth up against me, it testifieth to my face.

16:9  He hath torn me in His wrath, and hated me; He hath gnashed upon me with His teeth; mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me.

16:10  They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek scornfully; they gather themselves together against me.

16:11  G-d delivereth me to the ungodly, and casteth me into the hands of the wicked.

16:12  I was at ease, and He broke me asunder; yea, He hath taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces; He hath also set me up for His mark.

16:13  His archers compass me round about, He cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; He poureth out my gall upon the ground.

16:14  He breaketh me with breach upon breach; He runneth upon me like a giant.

16:15  I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and have laid my horn in the dust.

16:16  My face is reddened with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;

16:17  Although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.

16:18  O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no resting-place.

16:19  Even now, behold, my Witness is in heaven, and He that testifieth of me is on high.

16:20  Mine inward thoughts are my intercessors, mine eye poureth out tears unto G-d;

16:21  That He would set aright a man contending with G-d, as a son of man setteth aright his neighbour!

16:22  For the years that are few are coming on, and I shall go the way whence I shall not return.