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16:1  Then Job answered:
16:2  “I have heard all these things before. You men give me trouble, not comfort.
16:3  Your long speeches never end! Why do you continue arguing?
16:4  I also could say the same things you say, if you had my troubles. I could say wise things against you and shake my head at you.
16:5  But I would say things to encourage you and give you hope.
16:6  “Nothing I say makes my pain go away. But keeping quiet does not help either.
16:7  God, you surely took away my strength. You destroyed my whole family.
16:8  You have made me thin and weak, and people think that means I am guilty.
16:9  “God attacks me; he is angry with me and tears my body apart. He grinds his teeth against me. My enemy looks at me with hate.
16:10  People have crowded around me. They make fun of me and slap my face.
16:11  God has given me to evil people. He let the wicked hurt me.
16:12  I was enjoying a quiet, peaceful life, but then God crushed me. Yes, he took me by the neck and broke me into pieces. He has made me his target.
16:13  With his archers all around me, he shoots arrows into my kidneys. He shows no mercy and spills my gall on the ground.
16:14  Again and again he attacks me. He runs at me like a soldier in battle.
16:15  “I am very sad, so I wear this sackcloth. I sit here in dust and ashes, feeling defeated.
16:16  My face is red from crying. There are dark rings around my eyes.
16:17  I was never cruel to anyone, and my prayers are pure.
16:18  “Earth, don’t hide the wrong things that were done to me. Don’t let my begging for fairness be stopped.
16:19  Even now there is someone in heaven who will speak for me. There is someone above who will testify for me.
16:20  My friend speaks for me, while my eyes pour out tears to God.
16:21  He speaks to God for me, like someone presenting an argument for a friend.
16:22  “In only a few years I will go to that place of no return.