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16:1  In response, Job said:
16:2  "I've heard many things like this. What miserable comforters you all are!
16:3  Will windy words like yours never end? What is upsetting you that you keep on arguing?
16:4  "I could also talk like you if only you were in my place! Then I would put together an argument against you. I would shake my head at you
16:5  and encourage you with what I have to say; my words of comfort would lessen your pain.
16:6  "But if I speak, my pain isn't assuaged; if I refrain from speaking, what do I have to lose?"
16:7  "God has certainly worn me out; you devastated my entire world.
16:8  You've arrested me, making me testify against myself! My leanness rises up to attack me, accusing me to my face.
16:9  His anger tears me in his persistent resentment against me; he gnashes his teeth at me. My adversary glares at me.
16:10  People gaped at me with mouths wide open; they slap me in their scorn and gather together against me.
16:11  God has delivered me over to the ungodly, throwing me into the control of the wicked.
16:12  "He tore me apart when I was at ease; grabbing me by my neck, he shook me to pieces— then he really made me his target.
16:13  His archers surround me, slashing open my kidneys without pity; he pours out my gall on the ground.
16:14  Attack follows attack as he breaks through my defenses! He runs over me like a mighty warrior.
16:15  "I've even sewn sackcloth directly to my skin; I've buried my strength in the dust.
16:16  My face is red from my tears, and dark shadows encircle my eyelids,
16:17  even though violence is not my intention, and my prayer is pure."
16:18  "Listen, earth! Don't cover my blood, for my outcry has no place to rest.
16:19  Even now, behold! I have a witness in heaven, my Advocate is on high.
16:20  My friends mock me, while my eyes overflow with tears to God,
16:21  crying for him to arbitrate between this man and God; as a human being does with his fellow neighbor.
16:22  For when only a few years have elapsed, I'll start down a path from which I'll never return."