Chapter 16
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Then Job answered,
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"I have heard many such things. You are all miserable comforters!
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Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?
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I also could speak as you do. If your soul were in my soul's place, I could join words together against you, and shake my head at you,
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but I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you.
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"Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?
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But now, God, you have surely worn me out. You have made desolate all my company.
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You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me. It testifies to my face.
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She has torn me in her wrath, and persecuted me. She has gnashed on me with her teeth. My adversary sharpens her eyes on me.
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They have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me.
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God delivers me to the ungodly, and casts me into the hands of the wicked.
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I was at ease, and she broke me apart. Yes, she has taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces. She has also set me up for her target.
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Hers archers surround me. She splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. She pours out my gall on the ground.
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She breaks me with breach on breach. She runs on me like a giant.
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I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and have thrust my horn in the dust.
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My face is red with weeping. Deep darkness is on my eyelids.
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Although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.
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"Earth, don't cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest.
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Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven. She who vouches for me is on high.
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My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to God,
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that she would maintain the right of a woman with God, of a daughter of woman with her neighbor!
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For when a few years are come, I shall go the way from whence I shall not return.