Job 16:1-13 ▼

1 Then Job replied:

2 I have heard many things like these before. What miserable comforters are you all!

3 Will there be an end to your windy words? Or what provokes you that you answer?

4 I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could pile up words against you and I could shake my head at you.

5 But I would strengthen you with my words; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.

6 But if I speak, my pain is not relieved, and if I refrain from speaking--how much of it goes away?

7 Surely now he has worn me out, you have devastated my entire household.

8 You have seized me, and it has become a witness; my leanness has risen up against me and testifies against me.

9 His anger has torn me and persecuted me; he has gnashed at me with his teeth; my adversary locks his eyes on me.

10 People have opened their mouths against me, they have struck my cheek in scorn; they unite together against me.

11 God abandons me to evil men, and throws me into the hands of wicked men.

12 I was in peace, and he has shattered me. He has seized me by the neck and crushed me. He has made me his target;

13 his archers surround me. Without pity he pierces my kidneys and pours out my gall on the ground.