Job 16

DouayRheims(i) 1 Then Job answered, and said: 2 I have often heard such things as these: you are all troublesome comforters. 3 Shall windy words have no end? or is it any trouble to thee to speak? 4 I also could speak like you: and would God your soul were for my soul. (16:5) I would comfort you also with words, and would wag my head over you. 5 (16:6) I would strengthen you with my mouth, and would move my lips, as sparing you. 6 (16:7) But what shall I do? If I speak, my pain will not rest: and if I hold my peace, it will not depart from me. 7 (16:8) But now my sorrow hath oppressed me, and all my limbs are brought to nothing. 8 (16:9) My wrinkles bear witness against me, and a false speaker riseth up against my face, contradicting me. 9 (16:10) He hath gathered together his fury against me, and threatening me he hath gnashed with his teeth upon me: my enemy hath beheld me with terrible eyes. 10 (16:11) They have opened their mouths upon me, and reproaching me they have struck me on the cheek, they are filled with my pains. 11 (16:12) God hath shut me up with the unjust man, and hath delivered me into the hands of the wicked. 12 (16:13) I that was formerly so wealthy, am all on a sudden broken to pieces: he hath taken me by my neck, he hath broken me, and hath set me up to be his mark. 13 (16:14) He hath compassed me round about with his lances, he hath wounded my loins, he hath not spared, and hath poured out my bowels on the earth, 14 (16:15) He hath torn me with wound upon wound, he hath rushed in upon me like a giant. 15 (16:16) I have sowed sackcloth upon my skin, and have covered my flesh with ashes. 16 (16:17) My face is swollen with weeping, and my eyelids are dim. 17 (16:18) These things have I suffered without the iniquity of my hand, when I offered pure prayers to God. 18 (16:19) O earth, cover not thou my blood, neither let my cry find a hiding place in thee. 19 (16:20) For behold my witness is in heaven, and he that knoweth my conscience is on high. 20 (16:21) My friends are full of words: my eye poureth out tears to God. 21 (16:22) And O that a man might so be judged with God, as the son of man is judged with his companion! 22 (16:23) For behold short years pass away, and I am walking in a path by which I shall not return.