Job 16 | JPS | STEP | Then Job answered and said:

‏ Job 16

1 Then Job answered and said: 2 I have heard many such things; sorry comforters are ye all. 3 Shall windy 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 I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips would assuage your grief. 6 Though I speak, my pain 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 shrivelled me up, 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 hated 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 scornfully; they gather themselves together against me. 11 G-d delivereth me to the ungodly, and casteth me into the hands of the wicked. 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. 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 reddened 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 testifieth of me is on high. 20 Mine inward thoughts are my intercessors, mine eye poureth out tears unto G-d; 21 That He would set aright a man contending with G-d, as a son of man setteth aright his neighbour! 22 For the years that are few are coming on, and I shall go the way whence I shall not return.