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Job’s Fifth Speech: A Response to Eliphaz

16 Then Job spoke again:

“I have heard all this before.
    What miserable comforters you are!
Won’t you ever stop blowing hot air?
    What makes you keep on talking?
I could say the same things if you were in my place.
    I could spout off criticism and shake my head at you.
But if it were me, I would encourage you.
    I would try to take away your grief.
Instead, I suffer if I defend myself,
    and I suffer no less if I refuse to speak.

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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?

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