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16:1 Then Job replied:
16:2 “I have heard many things like these before. What miserable comforters are you all! 16:3 Will there be an end to your windy words? Or what provokes you that you answer? 16:4 I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could pile up words against you, and I could shake my head at you. 16:5 But I would strengthen you with my words; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
16:6 “But if I speak, my pain is not relieved, and if I refrain from speaking, how much of it goes away? 16:7 Surely now he has worn me out; you have devastated my entire household. 16:8 You have seized me, and it has become a witness; my leanness has risen up against me and testifies against me. 16:9 His anger has torn me and persecuted me; he has gnashed at me with his teeth; my adversary locks his eyes on me. 16:10 People have opened their mouths against me; they have struck my cheek in scorn; they unite together against me. 16:11 God abandons me to evil men, and throws me into the hands of wicked men. 16:12 I was in peace, and he has shattered me. He has seized me by the neck and crushed me. He has made me his target; 16:13 his archers surround me. Without pity he pierces my kidneys and pours out my gall on the ground. 16:14 He breaks through against me, time and time again; he rushes against me like a warrior. 16:15 I have sewed sackcloth on my skin and buried my horn in the dust; 16:16 my face is reddened because of weeping, and on my eyelids there is a deep darkness, 16:17 although there is no violence in my hands and my prayer is pure.
16:18 “O earth, do not cover my blood, nor let there be a secret place for my cry. 16:19 Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. 16:20 My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; 16:21 and he contends with God on behalf of man as a man pleads for his friend. 16:22 For the years that lie ahead are few, and then I will go on the way of no return.
NET Bible Second Edition. Copyright 2017 Biblical Studies Press
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