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

Job Reaffirms His Innocence

16 Then Job answered:

“I have heard many such things;
    miserable comforters are you all.
Shall windy words have an end?
    Or what provokes you that you answer?
I also could speak as you do,
    if you were in my place;
I could join words together against you,
    and shake my head at you.
I could strengthen you with my mouth,
    and the solace of my lips would assuage your pain.

“If I speak, my pain is not assuaged,
    and if I forbear, how much of it leaves me?

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