Job 16
JPS Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)
World English Bible
1Then Job answered and said:
1Then Job answered,
2I have heard many such things; sorry comforters are ye all.
2“I have heard many such things. You are all miserable comforters!
3Shall windy words have an end? Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest?
3Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?
4I also could speak as ye do; if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could join words together against you, and shake my head at you.
4I 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,
5I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips would assuage your grief.
5but I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you.
6Though I speak, my pain is not assuaged; and though I forbear, what am I eased?
6“Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?
7But now He hath made me weary; Thou hast made desolate all my company.
7But now, God, you have surely worn me out. You have made all my company desolate.
8And Thou hast shrivelled me up, which is a witness against me; and my leanness riseth up against me, it testifieth to my face.
8You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me. It testifies to my face.
9He hath torn me in His wrath, and hated me; He hath gnashed upon me with His teeth; mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
9He has torn me in his wrath and persecuted me. He has gnashed on me with his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes on me.
10They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek scornfully; they gather themselves together against me.
10They have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me.
11God delivereth me to the ungodly, and casteth me into the hands of the wicked.
11God delivers me to the ungodly, and casts me into the hands of the wicked.
12I was at ease, and He broke me asunder; yea, He hath taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces; He hath also set me up for His mark.
12I 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.
13His archers compass me round about, He cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; He poureth out my gall upon the ground.
13His archers surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. He pours out my bile on the ground.
14He breaketh me with breach upon breach; He runneth upon me like a giant.
14He breaks me with breach on breach. He runs at me like a giant.
15I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and have laid my horn in the dust.
15I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and have thrust my horn in the dust.
16My face is reddened with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;
16My face is red with weeping. Deep darkness is on my eyelids,
17Although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.
17although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.
18O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no resting-place.
18“Earth, don’t cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest.
19Even now, behold, my Witness is in heaven, and He that testifieth of me is on high.
19Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on high.
20Mine inward thoughts are my intercessors, mine eye poureth out tears unto God;
20My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to God,
21That He would set aright a man contending with God, as a son of man setteth aright his neighbour!
21that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of man with his neighbor!
22For the years that are few are coming on, and I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
22For when a few years have come, I will go the way of no return.
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