Job 16

1Then Job answered: 2I have heard many things like these; you are all miserable comforters. 3Will these windy words never end? What is eating at you, that you keep answering? 4I too could talk as you do, if you were in my place; I could string words together against you and shake my head at you. 5I would encourage you with my mouth, and the comfort of my lips would ease your pain. 6If I speak, my pain is not eased; and if I keep silent, how much of it leaves me? 7But now God has worn me out; you have laid waste my whole household. 8You have shriveled me up, and that has become a witness against me; my gauntness rises up against me and testifies to my face. 9His anger has torn me, and he hounds me; he grinds his teeth at me; my enemy stabs at me with his eyes. 10People gape at me with open mouths; they strike my cheek in scorn; they gang up together against me. 11God hands me over to the unjust and throws me into the clutches of the wicked. 12I was at ease, but he shattered me; he seized me by the neck and smashed me to pieces; he set me up as his target. 13His archers surround me. Without mercy he slashes open my kidneys and pours out my gall on the ground. 14He breaks through me again and again, like a wall breached; he charges at me like a warrior. 15I have sewn sackcloth over my skin and laid my strength in the dust. 16My face is red with weeping, and deep shadows lie on my eyelids. 17even though my hands have done no violence and my prayer is pure. 18Earth, do not cover my blood; let my cry find no place to rest. 19Even now my witness is in heaven; the one who vouches for me is on high. 20My friends scorn me; my eyes pour out tears to God. 21that he would plead for a man with God, as one pleads for a friend. 22For only a few years will come before I go the way of no return.