Chapter 16

  Then Job answered,  

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  'I have heard many such things. Miserable comforters are you all!  

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  Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?  

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  I also could speak as you do. If your soul were in my soul's place, I could join words together against you, And shake my head at you.  

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  But I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you.  

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  'Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?  

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  But now, God, you have surely worn me out. You have made desolate all my company.  

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  You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me, It testifies to my face.  

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  He has torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me; He has gnashed on me with his teeth: My adversary sharpens his eyes on me.  

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  They have gaped on me with their mouth; They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me.  

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  God delivers me to the ungodly, And casts me into the hands of the wicked.  

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  I was at ease, and he broke me apart. Yes, he has taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces. He has also set me up for his target.  

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  His archers surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. He pours out my gall on the ground.  

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  He breaks me with breach on breach. He runs on me like a giant.  

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  I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, And have thrust my horn in the dust.  

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  My face is red with weeping. Deep darkness is on my eyelids.  

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  Although there is no violence in my hands, And my prayer is pure.  

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  'Earth, don't cover my blood, Let my cry have no place to rest.  

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  Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. He who vouches for me is on high.  

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  My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to God,  

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  That he would maintain the right of a man with God, Of a son of man with his neighbor!  

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  For when a few years are come, I shall go the way from whence I shall not return.  

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