Job 16 — KJV

16 Verse 1 Then Job answered and said, ^{Verse 2} I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all. ^{Verse 3} Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? ^{Verse 4} I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. ^{Verse 5} But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief. ^{Verse 6} Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased? ^{Verse 7} But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company. ^{Verse 8} And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face. ^{Verse 9} He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me. ^{Verse 10} They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me. ^{Verse 11} God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked. ^{Verse 12} I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark. ^{Verse 13} His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground. ^{Verse 14} He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant. ^{Verse 15} I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust. ^{Verse 16} My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death; ^{Verse 17} Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure. ^{Verse 18} O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place. ^{Verse 19} Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. ^{Verse 20} My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. ^{Verse 21} O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour! ^{Verse 22} When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.