Noyes - Job - 16

16:1  But Job answered and said:

16:2  Of such things as these I have heard enough! Miserable comforters are ye all!

16:3  Will there ever be an end to words of wind? What stirreth thee up, that thou answerest?

16:4  I also might speak like you, If ye were now in my place; I might string together words against you, And shake my head at you.

16:5  I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the consolation of my lips should sustain you.

16:6  If I speak, my grief is not assuaged; And if I forbear, it doth not leave me.

16:7  For now He hath quite exhausted me; Thou hast desolated all my house!

16:8  Thou hast seized hold of me, and this is a witness against me; My leanness riseth up and testifieth against me to my face.

16:9  His anger teareth my flesh, and pursueth me; He gnasheth upon me with his teeth; My adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me.

16:10  They gape for me with their mouths; In scorn they smite me on the cheek; With one consent they assemble against me.

16:11  God hath given me a prey to the unrighteous, And delivered me into the hands of the wicked.

16:12  I was at ease, but he hath crushed me; He hath seized me by the neck, and dashed me in pieces; He hath set me up for his mark.

16:13  His archers encompass me around; He pierceth my reins, and doth not spare; He poureth out my gall upon the ground.

16:14  He breaketh me with breach upon breach; He rusheth upon me like a warrior.

16:15  I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, And thrust my horn into the dust.

16:16  My face is red with weeping, And upon my eyelids is deathlike darkness.

16:17  Yet is there no injustice in my bands. And my prayer hath been pure.

16:18  O earth! cover not thou my blood, And let there be no hiding-place for my cry!

16:19  Yet even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And he who knoweth me is on high.

16:20  My friends have me in derision, But my eye poureth out tears unto God.

16:21  O that one might contend for a man with God, As a man contendeth with his neighbor!

16:22  For when a few years shall have passed, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.