| Chapter 16 |
1 |
And Job answered and said, |
2 |
I have heard many such things: grievous comforters are ye all. |
3 |
Shall words of wind have an end? or what provoketh thee that thou answerest? |
4 |
I also could speak as ye: if your soul were in my soul`s stead, I could join together words against you, and shake my head at you; |
5 |
But I would encourage you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips should assuage your pain. |
6 |
If I speak, my pain is not assuaged; and if I forbear, what am I eased? |
7 |
But now he hath made me weary; ... thou hast made desolate all my family; |
8 |
Thou hast shrivelled me up! it is become a witness; and my leanness riseth up against me, it beareth witness to my face. |
9 |
His anger teareth and pursueth me; he gnasheth with his teeth against me; as mine adversary he sharpeneth his eyes at me. |
10 |
They gape upon me with their mouth; they smite my cheeks reproachfully; they range themselves together against me. |
11 |
łGod hath delivered me over to the iniquitous man, and hurled me into the hands of the wicked. |
12 |
I was at rest, but he hath shattered me; he hath taken me by the neck and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark. |
13 |
His arrows encompass 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 mighty man. |
15 |
I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and rolled 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 my blood, and let there be no place for my cry! |
19 |
Even now, behold, my Witness is in the heavens, and he that voucheth for me is in the heights. |
20 |
My friends are my mockers; mine eye poureth out tears unto +God. |
21 |
Oh that there were arbitration for a man with +God, as a son of man for his friend! |
22 |
For years few in number shall pass, -- and I shall go the way whence I shall not return. |