Job 16:5
3 Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?
4 I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.
But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.
6 Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?
7 But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- But I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation of my lips would bring relief.
- KJV
- But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.
- WEB
- but I would strengthen you with my mouth. The solace of my lips would relieve you.
- ASV
- [But] I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the solace of my lips would assuage [your grief].
- DARBY
- [But] I would encourage you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips should assuage [your pain].
- BLB
- I could strengthen you⁺ with my mouth, and the moving of my lips would bring relief.
- ÅB
- jeg kunne styrke dere med min munn[^1], og mine leppers medynk kunne stille deres smerte.
- OTB
- Men jeg ville oppmuntre dere med min munn,
og trøsten fra mine lepper ville gi dere lindring. - B1930
- jeg kunde styrke eder med min munn, og mine lebers medynk kunde stille eders smerte. / < d.e. med tomme ord.>
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 27:9
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
Read in contextIsaiah 35:3–4
Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
Read in contextGalatians 6:1
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Read in contextProverbs 27:17
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Read in contextJob 6:14
To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
Read in contextJob 29:25
I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.
Read in contextJob 4:3–4
Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
Read in contextPsalms 27:14
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Read in context