Job 16 – read and compare multiple versions
Job 16
[1] Then Job answered,
[2] “I have heard many such things.
You are all miserable comforters!
[3] Shall vain words have an end?
Or what provokes you that you answer?
[4] 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,
[5] but I would strengthen you with my mouth.
The solace of my lips would relieve you. [6] “Though I speak, my grief is not subsided.
Though I forbear, what am I eased?
[7] But now, God, you have surely worn me out.
You have made all my company desolate.
[8] You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me.
My leanness rises up against me.
It testifies to my face.
[9] 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.
[10] They have gaped on me with their mouth.
They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully.
They gather themselves together against me.
[11] God delivers me to the ungodly,
and casts me into the hands of the wicked.
[12] 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.
[13] His archers surround me.
He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare.
He pours out my bile on the ground.
[14] He breaks me with breach on breach.
He runs at me like a giant.
[15] I have sewed sackcloth on my skin,
and have thrust my horn in the dust.
[16] My face is red with weeping.
Deep darkness is on my eyelids,
[17] although there is no violence in my hands,
and my prayer is pure. [18] “Earth, don’t cover my blood.
Let my cry have no place to rest.
[19] Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven.
He who vouches for me is on high.
[20] My friends scoff at me.
My eyes pour out tears to God,
[21] that he would maintain the right of a man with God,
of a son of man with his neighbor!
[22] For when a few years have come,
I will go the way of no return.
[2] “I have heard many such things.
You are all miserable comforters!
[3] Shall vain words have an end?
Or what provokes you that you answer?
[4] 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,
[5] but I would strengthen you with my mouth.
The solace of my lips would relieve you. [6] “Though I speak, my grief is not subsided.
Though I forbear, what am I eased?
[7] But now, God, you have surely worn me out.
You have made all my company desolate.
[8] You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me.
My leanness rises up against me.
It testifies to my face.
[9] 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.
[10] They have gaped on me with their mouth.
They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully.
They gather themselves together against me.
[11] God delivers me to the ungodly,
and casts me into the hands of the wicked.
[12] 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.
[13] His archers surround me.
He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare.
He pours out my bile on the ground.
[14] He breaks me with breach on breach.
He runs at me like a giant.
[15] I have sewed sackcloth on my skin,
and have thrust my horn in the dust.
[16] My face is red with weeping.
Deep darkness is on my eyelids,
[17] although there is no violence in my hands,
and my prayer is pure. [18] “Earth, don’t cover my blood.
Let my cry have no place to rest.
[19] Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven.
He who vouches for me is on high.
[20] My friends scoff at me.
My eyes pour out tears to God,
[21] that he would maintain the right of a man with God,
of a son of man with his neighbor!
[22] For when a few years have come,
I will go the way of no return.