Job Chapter 16
1 Job answered:
2 “I’ve heard a lot of things like that;
you’re miserable comforters.
3 Is there no end to windy words?
What’s your problem that you answer me like that?
4 I could talk to you like you’re talking if I was in your place.
I could string out words and shake my head at you.
5 Or, I could encourage you
so my comfort could lessen your pain.
Job 16:1-5
6 “If I speak, it doesn’t take away my pain;
if I don’t speak, how much of it goes away?
7 God has worn me out;
he’s taken away my family.
8 He has made me skin and bones
and used it as a witness against me.
My haggard body shows in my gaunt face.
9 His anger hunts me down and tears me up;
he gnashes his teeth at me;
my adversary glares at me.
10 People gape at me with their mouth
and slap me on the cheek in their contempt;
they gang up on me.
Job 16:6-10
11 God has handed me over to ungodly people
and thrown me away to sinners.
12 I was at ease, but he tore me apart;
he grabbed me by the neck and dashed me to pieces.
13 His arrows have pierced me all over;
he’s slashed open my kidneys without mercy
and poured out my gall on the ground.
14 He’s broken me down time after time
and charged at me like a soldier.
15 I sewed burlap on my skin
and laid my strength in the dust.
16 My face is flushed from crying;
I have dark circles around my eyes
17 although I haven’t been violent,
and my prayer is pure.
Job 16:11-17
18 “Earth, don’t cover up my blood;
don’t let my outcry cease.
19 Even now my witness is in heaven;
my Advocate is on high.
20 My friends make fun of me;
I shed my tears to God.
21 Oh that I could plead with him
like a person does with his friend!
22 In a few years, I’ll go the way of no return.