# Job 16 [[Job-15|← Job 15]] | [[Job]] | [[Job-17|Job 17 →]] *** ###### v1 Then Job answered, ###### v2 "I have heard many such things. You are all miserable comforters! ###### v3 Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? ###### v4 I also could speak as you do. If your soul were in my soul's place, I could join words together against you, and shake my head at you, ###### v5 but I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you. ###### v6 "Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased? ###### v7 But now, God, you have surely worn me out. You have made all my company desolate. ###### v8 You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me. It testifies to my face. ###### v9 He has torn me in his wrath and persecuted me. He has gnashed on me with his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes on me. ###### v10 They have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me. ###### v11 God delivers me to the ungodly, and casts me into the hands of the wicked. ###### v12 I was at ease, and he broke me apart. Yes, he has taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces. He has also set me up for his target. ###### v13 His archers surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. He pours out my bile on the ground. ###### v14 He breaks me with breach on breach. He runs at me like a giant. ###### v15 I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and have thrust my horn in the dust. ###### v16 My face is red with weeping. Deep darkness is on my eyelids, ###### v17 although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure. ###### v18 "Earth, don't cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest. ###### v19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on high. ###### v20 My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to God, ###### v21 that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of man with his neighbor! ###### v22 For when a few years have come, I will go the way of no return. *** [[Job-15|← Job 15]] | [[Job]] | [[Job-17|Job 17 →]]