Job 16 (Holman Christian Standard)

Job's Reply to Eliphaz

1 Then Job answered: 2 I have heard many things like these. You are all miserable comforters.^a 3 Is there [no] end to your empty^b words? What provokes you that you continue testifying? 4 If you were in my place I could also talk like you. I could string words together against you and shake my head at you, [but I wouldn't]. 5 I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation from my lips would bring relief.^c 6 Even if I speak, my suffering is not relieved, and if I hold back, what have I lost? 7 Surely He has now exhausted me. You have devastated my entire family. 8 You have shriveled me up^d-it has become a witness; My frailty rises up against me and testifies to my face. 9 His anger tears [at me], and He harasses me. He gnashes His teeth at me. My enemy pierces me with His eyes. 10 They open their mouths against me and strike my cheeks with contempt;^e they join themselves together against me. 11 God hands me over to unjust men;^fg He throws me into the hands of the wicked. 12 I was at ease, but He shattered me; He seized [me] by the scruff of the neck and smashed me to pieces. He set me up as His target;^h 13 His archersⁱ surround me. He pierces my kidneys without mercy and pours my bile on the ground. 14 He breaks through my defenses again and again;^j He charges at me like a warrior.^k 15 I have sewn sackcloth over my skin; I have buried my strength^l in the dust.^m 16 My face has grown red with weeping, and the shadow of death covers my eyes,ⁿ 17 although my hands are free from violence and my prayer is pure.^o 18 Earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry for help find no resting place.^p 19 Even now my witness is in heaven, and my advocate is in the heights!^q 20 My friends scoff at me as I weep before God. 21 I wish that someone might arbitrate between a man and God just as a man [pleads] for his friend.^r 22 For [only] a few years will pass before I go the way of no return.