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16:1  Then Job replied to his friends,
16:2  “I have heard many things like this before. You are all pathetic at comforting me.
16:3  Will your long-winded speeches never end? What disturbs you that you keep on answering me?
16:4  I, too, could speak like you if we could trade places. I could string words together against you and shake my head at you.
16:5  I could encourage you with my mouth, and my quivering lips could ease your pain.
16:6  If I speak, my pain is not eased. If I stop talking, how much of it will go away?
16:7  “But now, God has worn me out. You, God, have destroyed everyone who supports me.
16:8  You have shriveled me up, which itself is a witness against me. My frail body rises up and testifies against me.
16:9  “God’s anger tore me apart and attacked me. He gritted his teeth at me. My opponent looked sharply at me.
16:10  People gaped at me with wide-open mouths. In scorn they slapped my cheeks. They united against me.
16:11  El handed me over to unjust people and threw me into the hands of wicked people.
16:12  I was at ease, and he shattered me. He grabbed me by the back of the neck and smashed my skull. He set me up as his target,
16:13  and his archers surrounded me. He slashes open my kidneys without mercy and spills my blood on the ground.
16:14  He inflicts wound after wound on me. He lunges at me like a warrior.
16:15  “I have sewn sackcloth over my skin, and I have thrown my strength in the dust.
16:16  My face is red from crying, and dark shadows encircle my eyes,
16:17  although my hands have done nothing violent, and my prayer is sincere.
16:18  “Earth, don’t cover my blood. Don’t ever let my cry for justice be stopped.
16:19  Even now, look! My witness is in heaven, and the one who testifies for me is above,
16:20  the spokesman for my thoughts. My eyes drip with tears to Eloah
16:21  But my witness will plead for a human in front of Eloah. The Son of Man will plead for his friend!
16:22  because in a few short years I will take the path of no return.