16Job 16

CHAP. XVI. / 1 Iob reproueth his friends of vnmercifulnesse. 7 He sheweth the pitifulnesse of his case. 17 He maintaineth his innocencie.

1Then Iob answered, and said,Select Job 16:1

2I haue heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.Select Job 16:2

3Shall vaine words haue an ende? or what emboldeneth thee, that thou answerest?Select Job 16:3

4I also could speake as yee doe: if your soule were in my soules stead, I could heape vp words against you, and shake mine head at you.Select Job 16:4

5But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the mouing of my lips should asswage your griefe.Select Job 16:5

6Though I speake, my griefe is not asswaged: and though I forbeare; what am I eased?Select Job 16:6

7But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate al my companie.Select Job 16:7

8And thou hast filled mee with wrinckles, which is a witnesse against me: and my leannesse rising vp in me, beareth witnesse to my face.Select Job 16:8

9He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth vpon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes vpon me.Select Job 16:9

10They haue gaped vpon me with their mouth, they haue smitten me vpon the cheeke reprochfully, they haue gathered themselues together against mee.Select Job 16:10

11God hath deliuered me to the vngodly, and turned me ouer into the hands of the wicked.Select Job 16:11

12I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my necke, and shaken me to pieces, and set me vp for his marke.Select Job 16:12

13His archers compasse me round about, he cleaueth my reines asunder, and doeth not spare; he powreth out my gall vpon the ground.Select Job 16:13

14He breaketh me with breach vpon breach, he runneth vpon me like a giant.Select Job 16:14

15I haue sowed sackcloth vpon my skin, and defiled my horne in the dust.Select Job 16:15

16My face is fowle with weeping, and on mine eye-lids is the shadow of death;Select Job 16:16

17Not for any iniustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.Select Job 16:17

18O earth couer not thou my blood, and let my cry haue no place.Select Job 16:18

19Also now, behold my witnesse is in heauen, and my record is on high.Select Job 16:19

20My friends scorne me: but mine eye powreth out teares vnto God.Select Job 16:20

21O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour.Select Job 16:21

22When a few yeeres are come, then I shall goe the way whence I shall not returne.Select Job 16:22