Job 16

NEW JERUSALEM	DOUAI-RHEIMS
1 Job spoke next. He said:	1 Then Job answered, and said:
2 How often have I heard al this before! What sorry comforters you are!	2 I have often heard such things as these: you are all troublesome comforters.
3 'When wil these windy arguments be over?' or again, 'What sickness drives you to defend yourself?'	3 Shall windy words have no end? or is it any trouble to thee to speak?
4 Oh yes! I too could talk as you do, if you were in my place; I could overwhelm you with speeches,shaking my head over you,	4 I also could speak like you: and would God your soul were for my soul.
5 and speak words of encouragement, and then have no more to say.	5 I would comfort you also with words, and would wag my head over you.
6 When I speak, my suffering does not stop; if I say nothing, is it in any way reduced?	6 I would strengthen you with my mouth, and would move my lips, as sparing you.
7 And now it is driving me to distraction; you have struck my whole acquaintanceship with horror,	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 now it rounds on me, my slanderer has now turned witness, he appears against me, accusing me faceto face;	8 But now my sorrow hath oppressed me, and all my limbs are brought to nothing.
9 his anger tears and hounds me with gnashing teeth. My enemies look daggers at me,	9 My wrinkles bear witness against me, and a false speaker riseth up against my face, contradicting me.
10 and open gaping jaws. Their sneers strike like slaps in the face; and they all set on me at once.	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 Yes, God has handed me over to the godless, and cast me into the hands of the wicked.	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 living at peace, until he made me totter, taking me by the neck to shatter me. He has set me upas his target:	12 God hath shut me up with the unjust man, and hath delivered me into the hands of the wicked.
13 he shoots his arrows at me from all sides, pitilessly pierces my loins, and pours my gal out on theground.	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 Breach after breach he drives through me, charging on 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 sewn sackcloth over my skin, thrown my forehead 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 red with tears, and shadow dark as death covers my eyelids.	16 I have sowed sackcloth upon my skin, and have covered my flesh with ashes.
17 Nonetheless, my hands are free of violence, and my prayer is pure.	17 My face is swollen with weeping, and my eyelids are dim.
18 Cover not my blood, O earth, and let my cry mount without cease!	18 These things have I suffered without the iniquity of my hand, when I offered pure prayers to God.
19 Henceforth I have a witness in heaven, my defender is there on high.	19 O earth, cover not thou my blood, neither let my cry find a hiding place in thee.
20 Interpreter of my thoughts there with God, before whom flow my tears,	20 For behold my witness is in heaven, and he that knoweth my conscience is on high.
21 let my anguish plead the cause of a man at grips with God, just as a man might defend his fel ow.	21 My friends are full of words: my eye poureth out tears to God.
22 For the years of my life are numbered, and I am leaving by the road of no 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.