Job 16:4 | English Standard Version

English Standard Version

Job Replies: Miserable Comforters Are You

1 Then Job answered and said: 2 “I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all. (Job 12:3; Job 13:4) 3 Shall windy words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? (Job 15:2) 4 I also could speak as you do, if you were in my place; I could join words together against you and shake my head at you. (2Ki 19:21; Ps 22:7; Ps 109:25; Isa 37:22; Jer 18:16; La 2:15; Mt 27:39; Mr 15:29)

2Ki 19:21Ps 22:7Ps 109:25Isa 37:22Jer 18:16La 2:15Mt 27:39Mr 15:29

5 I could strengthen you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips would assuage your pain. 6 “If I speak, my pain is not assuaged, and if I forbear, how much of it leaves me? 7 Surely now God has worn me out; he has^[1] made desolate all my company. (Job 1:15; Job 15:34) 8 And he has shriveled me up, which is a witness against me, and my leanness has risen up against me; it testifies to my face. (Ru 1:21; Job 10:17; Ps 109:24) 9 He has torn me in his wrath and hated me; he has gnashed his teeth at me; my adversary sharpens his eyes against me. (Job 18:4; Job 30:21; Ps 35:16; Ps 37:12; Ps 112:10; La 2:16; Ho 6:1; Am 1:11; Ac 7:54)

Job 18:4Job 30:21Ps 35:16Ps 37:12Ps 112:10La 2:16Ho 6:1Am 1:11Ac 7:54

10 Men have gaped at me with their mouth; they have struck me insolently on the cheek; they mass themselves together against me. (1Ki 22:24; Ps 3:7; Ps 22:13; Ps 35:15; Isa 50:6; La 3:30; Mic 5:1; Ac 23:2)

1Ki 22:24Ps 3:7Ps 22:13Ps 35:15Isa 50:6La 3:30Mic 5:1Ac 23:2

11 God gives me up to the ungodly and casts me into the hands of the wicked. 12 I was at ease, and he broke me apart; he seized me by the neck and dashed me to pieces; he set me up as his target; (Job 7:20; La 3:12) 13 his archers surround me. He slashes open my kidneys and does not spare; he pours out my gall on the ground. (Job 20:25; Job 27:22; Jer 50:29; La 2:11)

Job 20:25Job 27:22Jer 50:29La 2:11

14 He breaks me with breach upon breach; he runs upon me like a warrior. (Job 15:26; Job 30:14) 15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin and have laid my strength in the dust. (2Sa 3:31; Ps 7:5; Ps 75:10) 16 My face is red with weeping, and on my eyelids is deep darkness, (Job 3:5) 17 although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure. (Isa 53:9) 18 “O earth, cover not my blood, and let my cry find no resting place. (Ge 4:10; Isa 26:21; Eze 24:7) 19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and he who testifies for me is on high. (Ps 89:37; Ps 148:1; Ro 1:9) 20 My friends scorn me; my eye pours out tears to God, (Job 12:5) 21 that he would argue the case of a man with God, as^[2] a son of man does with his neighbor. (Job 31:35) 22 For when a few years have come I shall go the way from which I shall not return. (Job 10:21)