Job 16:21
19 Even now my witness is in heaven, and my advocate is on high.
20 My friends are my scoffers as my eyes pour out tears to God.
Oh, that a man might plead with God as he pleads with his neighbor!
22 For when only a few years are past I will go the way of no return.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Oh, that a man might plead with God as he pleads with his neighbor!
- KJV
- O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!
- WEB
- that he would maintain the right of a man with God, of a son of man with his neighbor!
- ASV
- That he would maintain the right of a man with God, And of a son of man with his neighbor!
- DARBY
- Oh that there were arbitration for a man with God, as a son of man for his friend!
- BLB
- And he reasons for a man with God, and [as] a son of man for his friend.
- ÅB
- at han må la mannen få rett i hans strid med Gud og menneskebarnet rett mot hans neste;
- OTB
- at en kunne tale for en mann med Gud
som en taler for en venn. - B1930
- at han må la mannen få rett i hans strid med Gud og menneskebarnet rett mot hans næste;
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Ecclesiastes 6:10
Whatever exists was named long ago, and what happens to a man is foreknown; but he cannot contend with one stronger than he.
Read in contextIsaiah 45:9
Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker— one clay pot among many. Does the clay ask the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘He has no hands’?
Read in contextRomans 9:20
But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “Why did You make me like this?”
Read in contextJob 40:1–5
And the LORD said to Job:
Read in contextJob 31:35
(Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my signature. Let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser compose an indictment.
Read in contextJob 13:22
Then call me, and I will answer, or let me speak, and You can reply.
Read in contextJob 9:34–35
Let Him remove His rod from me, so that His terror will no longer frighten me.
Read in contextJob 13:3
Yet I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God.
Read in context