| Chapter 16 |
1 | Then Job answered,
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2 | 'I have heard many such things. Miserable comforters are you all!
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3 | Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?
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4 | I also could speak as you do. If your soul were in my soul's place, I could join words together against you, And shake my head at you.
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5 | But I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you.
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6 | 'Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?
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7 | But now, God, you have surely worn me out. You have made desolate all my company.
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8 | You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me, It testifies to my face.
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9 | He has torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me; He has gnashed on me with his teeth: My adversary sharpens his eyes on me.
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10 | They have gaped on me with their mouth; They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me.
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11 | God delivers me to the ungodly, And casts me into the hands of the wicked.
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12 | I was at ease, and he broke me apart. Yes, he has taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces. He has also set me up for his target.
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13 | His archers surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. He pours out my gall on the ground.
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14 | He breaks me with breach on breach. He runs on me like a giant.
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15 | I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, And have thrust my horn in the dust.
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16 | My face is red with weeping. Deep darkness is on my eyelids.
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17 | Although there is no violence in my hands, And my prayer is pure.
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18 | 'Earth, don't cover my blood, Let my cry have no place to rest.
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19 | Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on high.
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20 | My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to God,
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21 | That he would maintain the right of a man with God, Of a son of man with his neighbor!
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22 | For when a few years are come, I shall go the way from whence I shall not return.
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