Job’s Reply to Eliphaz

16 Then Job answered:

I have heard many things like these.
You are all miserable comforters.(A)
Is there no end to your empty[a](B) words?
What provokes you that you continue testifying?
If you were in my place I could also talk like you.
I could string words together against you
and shake my head at you.
Instead, I would encourage you with my mouth,
and the consolation from my lips would bring relief.(C)

If I speak, my suffering is not relieved,
and if I hold back, does any of it leave me?

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Footnotes

  1. 16:3 Lit windy; Jb 15:2

Job Says Friends Are Miserable Comforters

16 Then Job responded,

“I have heard many things like these;
[a](A)Miserable comforters are you all!
Is there no end to (B)windy words?
Or what provokes you that you answer?
I too could speak like you,
If only [b]I were in your place.
I could compose words against you
And (C)shake my head at you.
Or I could strengthen you with my mouth,
And the condolence of my lips could lessen your pain.

Job Says God Shattered Him

“If I speak, (D)my pain is not lessened,
And if I refrain, what pain leaves me?

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Footnotes

  1. Job 16:2 Lit Comforters of trouble
  2. Job 16:4 Lit your soul were in place of my soul