Job 16:1-13 ▼

1 But Job answered and said,

2 I have heard many such things: poor comforters are ye all.

3 What! is there any reason in vain words? or what will hinder thee from answering?

4 I also will speak as ye do : if indeed your soul were in my soul's stead, then would I insult you with words, and I would shake my head at you.

5 And would there were strength in my mouth, and I would not spare the movement of my lips.

6 For if I should speak, I shall not feel the pain of my wound: and if I should be silent, how shall I be wounded the less?

7 But now he has made me weary, and a worn-out fool; and thou hast laid hold of me.

8 My falsehood has become a testimony, and has risen up against me: it has confronted me to my face.

9 In his anger he has cast me down; he has gnashed his teeth upon me: the weapons of his robbers have fallen upon me.

10 He has attacked me with the keen glances of his eyes; with his sharp spear he has smitten me down upon my knees; and they have run upon me with one accord.

11 For the Lord has delivered me into the hands of unrighteous men, and thrown me upon the ungodly.

12 When I was at peace he distracted me: he took me by the hair of the head, and plucked it out: he set me up as a mark.

13 They surrounded me with spears, aiming at my reins: without sparing me they poured out my gall upon the ground.