Job 16 · Job Decries His Comforters

1Job said in reply:

2I have often heard such things;You are all mischievous comforters.

3Have windy words no limit?What afflicts you that you speak on?

4I would also talk like youIf you were in my place;I would barrage you with words,I would wag my head over you.

5I would encourage you with advice, My moving lips would bring relief.

6If I speak, my pain will not be relieved,And if I do not—what have I lost?

7Now [God] has truly worn me out;You have destroyed my whole community.

8You have shriveled me;My gauntness serves as a witness,And testifies against me.

9By God’s anger I am torn and persecuted;With teeth gnashing at me,My Foe stabs me with a stare.

10They open wide their mouths at me;Reviling me, they strike my cheeks;They inflame themselves against me.

11God hands me over to an evildoer,Thrusts me into the clutches of the wicked.

12I had been untroubled, and [God] broke me in pieces—Taking me by the scruff and shattering me,Setting me up as a target,

13As archers surrounded me;My kidneys were pierced; I was shown no mercy;My bile spilled onto the ground.

14[God] breached me, breach after breach,Rushing at me like a warrior.

15I sewed sackcloth over my skin;I buried my glory in the dust.

16My face is red with weeping;Darkness covers my eyes

17For no injustice on my partAnd for the purity of my prayer!

18Earth, do not cover my blood;Let there be no resting place for my outcry!

19Surely now my witness is in heaven;The One who can testify for me is on high.

20O my advocates, my fellows,Before God my eyes shed tears;

21Let arbitration be made between a person and GodAs between one mortal and another.

22For a few more years will pass,And I shall go the way of no return.