English / ERV
Job 16
Easy-to-Read Version, 2006
- 1Then Job answered:
- 2“I have heard all these things before. You men give me trouble, not comfort.
- 3Your long speeches never end! Why do you continue arguing?
- 4I also could say the same things you say, if you had my troubles. I could say wise things against you and shake my head at you.
- 5But I would say things to encourage you and give you hope.
- 6“Nothing I say makes my pain go away. But keeping quiet does not help either.
- 7God, you surely took away my strength. You destroyed my whole family.
- 8You have made me thin and weak, and people think that means I am guilty.
- 9“God attacks me; he is angry with me and tears my body apart. He grinds his teeth against me. My enemy looks at me with hate.
- 10People have crowded around me. They make fun of me and slap my face.
- 11God has given me to evil people. He let the wicked hurt me.
- 12I was enjoying a quiet, peaceful life, but then God crushed me. Yes, he took me by the neck and broke me into pieces. He has made me his target.
- 13With his archers all around me, he shoots arrows into my kidneys. He shows no mercy and spills my gall[1] on the ground.
- 14Again and again he attacks me. He runs at me like a soldier in battle.
- 15“I am very sad, so I wear this sackcloth. I sit here in dust and ashes, feeling defeated.