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Job 16
Job
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Chapter 16
The injustice of man and the justice of God
1
Job spoke next. He said:
2
How often have I heard all this before! What sorry comforters you are!
3
Is there never to be an end of airy words? What a plague your need to have the last word is!
4
I too could talk like you, were your soul in the plight of mine. I too could overwhelm you with sermons, I could shake my head over you,
5
and speak words of encouragement, until my lips grew tired.
6
But, while I am speaking, my suffering remains; and when I am not, do I suffer any the less?
7
And now ill-will drives me to distraction,
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and a whole host molests me, rising, like some witness for the prosecution, to utter slander to my very face.
9
In tearing fury it pursues me, with gnashing teeth. My enemies whet their eyes on me,
10
and open gaping jaws. Their insults strike like slaps in the face, and all set on me together.
11
Yes, God has handed me over to the godless, and cast me into the hands of the wicked.
12
I lived at peace, until he shattered me, taking me by the neck to dash me to pieces. He has made me a target for his archery,
13
shooting his arrows at me from every side. Pitiless, through the loins he pierces me, and scatters my gall on the ground.
14
Breach after breach he drives through me, bearing down on me like a warrior.
15
I have sewn sackcloth over my skin and rubbed my brow in the dust.
16
My face is red with tears, and a veil of shadow hangs on my eyelids.
17
This notwithstanding, my hands are free of violence,
18
and my prayer is undefiled. Cover not my blood, O earth,[*a] afford my cry no place to rest.
19
Henceforth I have a witness in heaven, my defender is there in the height.
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My own lament is my advocate with God, while my tears flow before him.
21
Let this plead for me as I stand before God, as a man will plead for his fellows.
22
For the years of my life are numbered, and I shall soon take the road of no return.
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