Add parallel Print Page Options

Job Reaffirms His Innocence

16 Then Job answered:

“I have heard many such things;
    miserable comforters are you all.
Have windy words no limit?
    Or what provokes you that you keep on talking?(A)
I also could talk as you do,
    if you were in my place;
I could join words together against you
    and shake my head at you.(B)
I could encourage 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 refrain, how much of it leaves me?

Read full chapter

Job’s response

16 Then Job answered:

I’ve heard many things like these.
    All of you are sorry comforters.
Will windy talk ever cease;
    what bothers you that you must argue?
In your situation I could speak like you;
    I could put words together to oppose you,
    shake my head over you.
I could heap up words, strengthen you with my speech;
    my trembling lips would be held in check.
If I speak, my pain is not eased;
    if I hold back, what have I lost?

Read full chapter