NETtext - Job - 16

16:1  Then Job replied:

16:2  "I have heard many things like these before. What miserable comforters are you all!

16:3  Will there be an end to your windy words? Or what provokes you that you answer?

16:4  I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could pile up words against you and I could shake my head at you.

16:5  But I would strengthen you with my words; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.

16:6  "But if I speak, my pain is not relieved, and if I refrain from speaking - how much of it goes away?

16:7  Surely now he has worn me out, you have devastated my entire household.

16:8  You have seized me, and it has become a witness; my leanness has risen up against me and testifies against me.

16:9  His anger has torn me and persecuted me; he has gnashed at me with his teeth; my adversary locks his eyes on me.

16:10  People have opened their mouths against me, they have struck my cheek in scorn; they unite together against me.

16:11  God abandons me to evil men, and throws me into the hands of wicked men.

16:12  I was in peace, and he has shattered me. He has seized me by the neck and crushed me. He has made me his target;

16:13  his archers surround me. Without pity he pierces my kidneys and pours out my gall on the ground.

16:14  He breaks through against me, time and time again; he rushes against me like a warrior.

16:15  I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and buried my horn in the dust;

16:16  my face is reddened because of weeping, and on my eyelids there is a deep darkness,

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

16:18  "O earth, do not cover my blood, nor let there be a secret place for my cry.

16:19  Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high.

16:20  My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God;

16:21  and he contends with God on behalf of man as a man pleads for his friend.

16:22  For the years that lie ahead are few, and then I will go on the way of no return.