Job 16

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Then Job answered and said:	1 Then Job answered, and said:
2 I have heard this sort of thing many times. Wearisome comforters are you all!	2 I have often heard such things as these: you are all troublesome comforters.
3 Is there no end to windy words? Or what sickness have you that you speak on?	3 Shall windy words have no end? or is it any trouble to thee to speak?
4 I also could talk as you do, were you in my place. I could declaim over you, or wag my head at you;	4 I also could speak like you: and would God your soul were for my soul.
5 I could strengthen you with talk, or shake my head with silent lips.	5 I would comfort you also with words, and would wag my head over you.
6 If I speak, this pain I have will not be checked; if I leave off, it will not depart from me.	6 I would strengthen you with my mouth, and would move my lips, as sparing you.
7 But now that I am exhausted and stunned, all my company has closed in on me.	7 But what shall I do? If I speak, my pain will not rest: and if I hold my peace, it will not depart from me.
8 As a witness there rises up my traducer, speaking openly against me;	8 But now my sorrow hath oppressed me, and all my limbs are brought to nothing.
9 I am the prey his wrath assails, he gnashes his teeth against me. My enemies lord it over me;	9 My wrinkles bear witness against me, and a false speaker riseth up against my face, contradicting me.
10 their mouths are agape to bite me. They smite me on the cheek insultingly; they are all enlisted against me.	10 He hath gathered together his fury against me, and threatening me he hath gnashed with his teeth upon me: my enemy hath beheld me with terrible eyes.
11 God has given me over to the impious; into the clutches of the wicked he has cast me.	11 They have opened their mouths upon me, and reproaching me they have struck me on the cheek, they are filled with my pains.
12 I was in peace, but he dislodged me; he seized me by the neck and dashed me to pieces. He has set me up for a target;	12 God hath shut me up with the unjust man, and hath delivered me into the hands of the wicked.
13 his arrows strike me from all directions, He pierces my sides without mercy, he pours out my gall upon the ground.	13 I that was formerly so wealthy, am all on a sudden broken to pieces: he hath taken me by my neck, he hath broken me, and hath set me up to be his mark.
14 He pierces me with thrust upon thrust; he attacks me like a warrior.	14 He hath compassed me round about with his lances, he hath wounded my loins, he hath not spared, and hath poured out my bowels on the earth.
15 I have fastened sackcloth over my skin, and have laid my brow in the dust.	15 He hath torn me with wound upon wound, he hath rushed in upon me like a giant.
16 My face is inflamed with weeping and there is darkness over my eyes,	16 I have sowed sackcloth upon my skin, and have covered my flesh with ashes.
17 Although my hands are free from violence, and my prayer is sincere.	17 My face is swollen with weeping, and my eyelids are dim.
18 O earth, cover not my blood, nor let my outcry come to rest!	18 These things have I suffered without the iniquity of my hand, when I offered pure prayers to God.
19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my spokesman is on high.	19 O earth, cover not thou my blood, neither let my cry find a hiding place in thee.
20 My friends it is who wrong me; before God my eyes drop tears,	20 For behold my witness is in heaven, and he that knoweth my conscience is on high.
21 That he may do justice for a mortal in his presence and decide between a man and his neighbor.	21 My friends are full of words: my eye poureth out tears to God.
22 For my years are numbered now, and I am on a journey from which I shall not return.	22 And O that a man might so be judged with God, as the son of man is judged with his companion!
	23 For behold short years pass away and I am walking in a path by which l shall not return.