Job 16

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 Job spoke next. He said:	1 Then Job, answering, said:
2 How often have I heard al this before! What sorry comforters you are!	2 I have often heard such things; you are all aggravating comforters.
3 'When wil these windy arguments be over?' or again, 'What sickness drives you to defend yourself?'	3 Will there be no end to windy words? Or is it at all a burden to you, if you 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, too, can speak like you; and I also wish that your soul favored my soul.
5 and speak words of encouragement, and then have no more to say.	5 I would also comfort you with speeches 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 if being lenient to you.
7 And now it is driving me to distraction; you have struck my whole acquaintanceship with horror,	7 But what can I do? When I am speaking, my grief will not be quiet; and if I am quiet, it will not withdraw 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 grief has crushed me, and all my limbs have been reduced 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 liar rises 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 has gathered together his fury towards me, and, threatening me, he has roared against me with his teeth; my enemy has 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 against me, and, reproaching me, they have struck me on the cheek; they are nourished by my sufferings.
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 has confined me with the immoral, and he has delivered me into the hands of the impious.
13 he shoots his arrows at me from all sides, pitilessly pierces my loins, and pours my gal out on theground.	13 I, who once was wealthy, am now crushed. He has grabbed me by my neck; he has broken me and has place me before him as a sign.
14 Breach after breach he drives through me, charging on me like a warrior.	14 He has surrounded me with his lances. He has severely wounded my lower back, he has not been lenient, and he has poured out my organs upon the earth.
15 I have sewn sackcloth over my skin, thrown my forehead in the dust.	15 He has cut me with wound after wound. He has rushed upon me like a giant.
16 My face is red with tears, and shadow dark as death covers my eyelids.	16 I have sewn sackcloth over my skin, and I have covered my body with ashes.
17 Nonetheless, my hands are free of violence, and my prayer is pure.	17 My face is swollen from weeping, and my eyelids have dimmed my vision.
18 Cover not my blood, O earth, and let my cry mount without cease!	18 These things I have endured without iniquity in my hand, while I held pure prayers before God.
19 Henceforth I have a witness in heaven, my defender is there on high.	19 O earth, do not conceal my blood, nor let my outcry find a hiding place in you.
20 Interpreter of my thoughts there with God, before whom flow my tears,	20 For behold, my witness is in heaven, and my confidante 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 rains tears upon God.
22 For the years of my life are numbered, and I am leaving by the road of no return.	22 And I wish that a man might be so judged before God, just as the son of man is judged with his assistant!
	23 For behold, a few years pass by, and I am walking a path by which I will not return.