16: 2 I have heard many such things: 156Miserable comforters are ye all.
156Or, Wearisome
16: 3 157Shall vain words have an end? Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest?
157Hb. Shall words of wind (or, windy speech) have an end
16: 4 I also could speak as ye do; If your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could join words together against you, And shake my head at you.
16: 5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the solace of my lips would assuage your grief.
16: 6 Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged; And though I forbear, 158what am I eased?
158Hb. what departeth from me
16: 7 But now he hath made me weary: Thou hast made desolate all my company.
16: 8 And thou hast 159laid fast hold on me, which is a witness against me: And my leanness riseth up against me, It testifieth to my face.
159Or, shrivelled me up,
16: 9 He hath torn me in his wrath, and 160persecuted me; He hath gnashed upon me with his teeth: Mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
160Or, hated me;
16: 10 They have gaped upon me with their mouth; They have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully: They gather themselves together against me.
16: 11 God delivereth me to the ungodly, And casteth me into the hands of the wicked.
16: 12 I was at ease, and he brake me asunder; Yes, he hath taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces: He hath also set me up for his mark.
16: 13 His 161archers compass me round about; He cleaveth my kidneys asunder, and doth not spare; He poureth out my gall upon the ground.
161Or, arrows or, mighty ones
16: 14 He breaketh me with breach upon breach; He runneth upon me like a 162giant.
162Or, mighty man.
16: 15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, And have 163laid my horn in the dust.
163Or, defiled
16: 16 My face is red with weeping, And on my eyelids is the shadow of death;
16: 17 Although there is no violence in my hands, And my prayer is pure.
16: 18 O earth, cover not thou my blood, And let my cry 164have no resting-place.
164Or, have no more place.
16: 19 Even now, behold, my witness is in the heavens, And he that voucheth for me is in high places.
16: 20 My friends scoff at me: But mine eye poureth out tears unto God,
16: 21 165That he would maintain the right of a man with God, And of a son of man with his neighbor!
165Or, That one might plead for a man with God, As a son of man pleadeth for his neighbor!
16: 22 For when a few years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
