Job 16:12-22

New International Version

¹² All was well with me, but he shattered me;
    he seized me by the neck and crushed me.^(A)
He has made me his target;^(B)
13     his archers surround me.^(C)
Without pity, he pierces^(D) my kidneys
    and spills my gall on the ground.
¹⁴ Again and again^(E) he bursts upon me;
    he rushes at me like a warrior.^(F)

¹⁵ “I have sewed sackcloth^(G) over my skin
    and buried my brow in the dust.^(H)
16 My face is red with weeping,^(I)
    dark shadows ring my eyes;^(J)
17 yet my hands have been free of violence^(K)
    and my prayer is pure.^(L)

¹⁸ “Earth, do not cover my blood;^(M)
    may my cry^(N) never be laid to rest!^(O)
19 Even now my witness^(P) is in heaven;^(Q)
    my advocate is on high.^(R)
20 My intercessor^(S) is my friend^[a](T)
    as my eyes pour out^(U) tears^(V) to God;
²¹ on behalf of a man he pleads^(W) with God
    as one pleads for a friend.

²² “Only a few years will pass
    before I take the path of no return.^(X)