Job 16 Job Accuses His Friends of Lack of Compassion and Mercy

 Job 16

Job Accuses His Friends of Lack of Compassion and Mercy

1 Then Job answered and said:

2 I have heard many such things; all of you are troublesome comforters.

3 Will there be no end to these vain words? Or who provokes you, that you answer thus?

4 Would I speak as you do, if your soul were in my soul's place? Or would I heap up words against you, and shake my head at you?

5 I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the comfort of my lips would ease your pain.

6 If I speak, my pain does not cease; and if I keep silent, what is my relief?

7 Surely now you have troubled me; you have laid waste all my company.

8 This is a witness: you have made me wrinkled, and my leanness has risen up against me, and testifies against me in my face.

 9 In his anger he tore me to pieces, and he pursued me; he gnashed his teeth at me; my adversary sharpened his eyes against me.

10 They opened their mouths wide against me; they smitten me on the jaws in contempt, and they gathered against me all.

11 God delivered me to the wicked, and cast me into the hands of the wicked.

12 I was at ease, but he broke me; he took me by the neck, and tore me to pieces; he also made me his target.

13 His archers surrounded me; he pierced my kidneys, and did not spare me; and my gall poured out on the ground.

14 He broke me with blow upon blow; he rushed upon me like a mighty man.

15 I sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and rolled my head in the dust. 

16 My face is all pale from weeping, and the shadow of death is upon my eyelids, 

17 though there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure. 

18 Oh, earth, do not cover my blood; let there be no place for my cry! 

19 See, now also my witness is in heaven, and my surety on high.

 20 My friends are those who mock me; my eyes run down with tears before God. 

21 Oh, that one could understand God for man, as a son of man for his friend! 

22 For after a few years I will go the way from which I will not return.