Job 16

NEW JERUSALEM	Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition
1 Job spoke next. He said:	1 Then Job answered:
2 How often have I heard al this before! What sorry comforters you are!	2 "I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all.
3 'When wil these windy arguments be over?' or again, 'What sickness drives you to defend yourself?'	3 Shall windy words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?
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 as you do, if you were in my place; I could join words together against you, and shake my head at you.
5 and speak words of encouragement, and then have no more to say.	5 I could strengthen you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips would assuage your pain.
6 When I speak, my suffering does not stop; if I say nothing, is it in any way reduced?	6 "If I speak, my pain is not assuaged, and if I forbear, how much of it leaves me?
7 And now it is driving me to distraction; you have struck my whole acquaintanceship with horror,	7 Surely now God has worn me out; he has made desolate all my company.
8 now it rounds on me, my slanderer has now turned witness, he appears against me, accusing me faceto face;	8 And he has shriveled me up, which is a witness against me; and my leanness has risen up against me, it testifies to my face.
9 his anger tears and hounds me with gnashing teeth. My enemies look daggers at me,	9 He has torn me in his wrath, and hated me; he has gnashed his teeth at me; my adversary sharpens his eyes against me.
10 and open gaping jaws. Their sneers strike like slaps in the face; and they all set on me at once.	10 Men have gaped at me with their mouth, they have struck me insolently upon the cheek, they mass themselves together against me.
11 Yes, God has handed me over to the godless, and cast me into the hands of the wicked.	11 God gives me up to the ungodly, and casts me into the hands of the wicked.
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 I was at ease, and he broke me asunder; he seized me by the neck and dashed me to pieces; he set me up as his target,
13 he shoots his arrows at me from all sides, pitilessly pierces my loins, and pours my gal out on theground.	13 his archers surround me. He slashes open my kidneys, and does not spare; he pours out my gall on the ground.
14 Breach after breach he drives through me, charging on me like a warrior.	14 He breaks me with breach upon breach; he runs upon me like a warrior.
15 I have sewn sackcloth over my skin, thrown my forehead in the dust.	15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and have laid my strength in the dust.
16 My face is red with tears, and shadow dark as death covers my eyelids.	16 My face is red with weeping, and on my eyelids is deep darkness;
17 Nonetheless, my hands are free of violence, and my prayer is pure.	17 although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.
18 Cover not my blood, O earth, and let my cry mount without cease!	18 "O earth, cover not my blood, and let my cry find no resting place.
19 Henceforth I have a witness in heaven, my defender is there on high.	19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and he that vouches for me is on high.
20 Interpreter of my thoughts there with God, before whom flow my tears,	20 My friends scorn me; my eye pours out tears to God,
21 let my anguish plead the cause of a man at grips with God, just as a man might defend his fel ow.	21 that he would maintain the right of a man with God, like that of a man with his neighbor.
22 For the years of my life are numbered, and I am leaving by the road of no return.	22 For when a few years have come I shall go the way whence I shall not return.