016:001
Then Job answered and said,

016:002
I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.

016:003
Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?

016:004
I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.

016:005
But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.

016:006
Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?

016:007
But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company.

016:008
And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.

016:009
He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.

016:010
They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.

016:011
God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.

016:012
I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.

016:013
His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.

016:014
He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant.

016:015
I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust.

016:016
My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;

016:017
Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.

016:018
O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.

016:019
Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.

016:020
My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.

016:021
O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!

016:022
When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.