Job 16

Thomson^{(i) 1} To this Job replied, ² I have heard many such things, ye miserable comforters all! ³ what! Have words of wind a regular succession? Or can they give thee offence, considering thine answer? ⁴ I indeed could speak as you do. But were your soul in my soul's stead, would I insult you with words and shake my head at you? ⁵ And should there be strength in my mouth; would I not spare moving my lips? ⁶ For if I speak shall I not bemoan the wound? And if I hold my peace, shall I be any the less wounded? ⁷ But now when he hath made me a poor rotten fool; ⁸ thou indeed hast fallen upon me. My lie is become a witness, and hath risen up against me; it hath answered me to my face. ⁹ When in his wrath he threw me down and gnashed his teeth at me; the darts of his executioners fell upon me. ¹⁰ When with the darts of his eyes he had transfixed me; with his spear had brought me on my knees: they with one consent rushed upon me. ¹¹ The Lord hath indeed delivered me up to the unrighteous; and turned me over to the ungodly. ¹² When I was at peace he broke me up; taking me by the hair he shook me; he set me up as a mark. ¹³ They surrounded me with javelins, darting them into my reins; without mercy they poured my gall on the ground. ¹⁴ They shot me, one deadly wound on another; they ran against me with all their might. ¹⁵ They sewed sackcloth on my skin: and my strength was extinguished in the dust. ¹⁶ My belly was burned up with wailing; and on mine eyelids were the shades of death: ¹⁷ yet there was no iniquity in my hands. And my prayer was pure. ¹⁸ O earth, cover not the blood of my flesh, nor let there be a place for this cry of mine. ¹⁹ Even now, behold my witness is in heaven; and he who hath a perfect knowledge of me is on high. ²⁰ O that my suit could come before the Lord, and that before him mine eye could drop a tear! ²¹ That a man could plead before the Lord, as a son of man may with his neighbour! ²² But my numbered days are come, and I must go the way, by which I cannot return.