Job appeals to the judgment of God – Book of Job, chapter 16

Job expostulates with his friends: and appeals to the judgment of God.

[1] Then Job answered, and said: [2] I have often heard such things as these: you are all troublesome comforters. [3] Shall windy words have no end? or is it any trouble to thee to speak? [4] I also could speak like you: and would God your soul were for my soul. [5] I would comfort you also with words, and would wag my head over you.

[6] I would strengthen you with my mouth, and would move my lips, as sparing you. [7] But what shall I do? If I speak, my pain will not rest: and if I hold my peace, it will not depart from me. [8] But now my sorrow hath oppressed me, and all my limbs are brought to nothing. [9] My wrinkles bear witness against me, and a false speaker riseth up against my face, contradicting me. [10] He hath gathered together his fury against me, and threatening me he hath gnashed with his teeth upon me: my enemy hath beheld me with terrible eyes.

[11] They have opened their mouths upon me, and reproaching me they have struck me on the cheek, they are filled with my pains. [12] God hath shut me up with the unjust man, and hath delivered me into the hands of the wicked. [13] I that was formerly so wealthy, am all on a sudden broken to pieces: he hath taken me by my neck, he hath broken me, and hath set me up to be his mark. [14] He hath compassed me round about with his lances, he hath wounded my loins, he hath not spared, and hath poured out my bowels on the earth. [15] He hath torn me with wound upon wound, he hath rushed in upon me like a giant.

[16] I have sowed sackcloth upon my skin, and have covered my flesh with ashes. [17] My face is swollen with weeping, and my eyelids are dim. [18] These things have I suffered without the iniquity of my hand, when I offered pure prayers to God. [19] O earth, cover not thou my blood, neither let my cry find a hiding place in thee. [20] For behold my witness is in heaven, and he that knoweth my conscience is on high.

[21] My friends are full of words: my eye poureth out tears to God. [22] And O that a man might so be judged with God, as the son of man is judged with his companion! [23] For behold short years pass away and I am walking in a path by which I shall not return.