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16:1  Then Job answered:
16:2  I’ve heard many things like these. All of you are sorry comforters.
16:3  Will windy talk ever cease; what bothers you that you must argue?
16:4  In your situation I could speak like you; I could put words together to oppose you, shake my head over you.
16:5  I could heap up words, strengthen you with my speech; my trembling lips would be held in check.
16:6  If I speak, my pain is not eased; if I hold back, what have I lost?
16:7  Now God has surely worn me out. You have destroyed my entire group,
16:8  seized me, which became grounds for an accusation. My leanness rises to bear witness against me.
16:9  His anger tears me and afflicts me; he slashes at me with his teeth. My enemy pierces me with his eyes.
16:10  They open their mouths at me and strike my cheek in a taunt; they gang up on me.
16:11  God delivers me to a criminal and forces me into the hands of the wicked.
16:12  I was at rest, but he shattered me, seized me by the back of my neck, dashed me into pieces; he raised me up for his target.
16:13  His archers surround me; he cuts my kidneys open without pity and doesn’t care, pours my gall on the ground,
16:14  bursts me open over and over, runs against me like a strong man.
16:15  I’ve sewed rough cloth over my skin and buried my dignity in the dust.
16:16  My face is red from crying, and dark gloom hangs on my eyelids.
16:17  But there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure.
16:18  Earth, don’t cover my blood; let my outcry never cease.
16:19  Surely now my witness stands in heaven; my advocate is on high;
16:20  my go-between, my friend. While my eyes drip tears to God,
16:21  let him plead with God for a human being, like a person pleads for a friend.
16:22  A number of years will surely pass, and then I’ll walk a path that I won’t return.