1 But Job answered and said,
2 Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinks up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.
5 Does the wild ass bray when he has grass? or lows the ox over his fodder?
6 Can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
8 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
9 Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10 Then should I yet have comfort; yes, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
11 What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is my end, that I should prolong my life?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
13 Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
14 To him that is afflicted pity should be showed from his friend; but he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
17 What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
21 For now you are nothing; you see my casting down, and are afraid.
22 Did I say, Bring to me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy' hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How forcible are right words! but what does your arguing reprove?
26 Do you imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
27 Yes, you overwhelm the fatherless, and you dig a pit for your friend.
28 Now therefore be content, look on me; for it is evident to you if I lie.
29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yes, return again, my righteousness is in it.
30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
1 Then Job answered and said:
2 Oh, that my grief were fully weighed, and my calamity laid with it on the scales!
3 For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
5 Does the wild ass bray when it has grass, or does the ox low over its fodder?
6 Can something tasteless be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 My soul refuses to touch them; they are as sickening food.
8 Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant me the thing that I long for;
9 that it would please God to crush me, that He would loose His hand and cut me off!
10 Then I would still have comfort; though in anguish, I would leap for joy; let Him not spare; for I have not hidden the Words of the Holy One.
11 What strength do I have, that I should hope? And what is my end, that I should prolong my life?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh bronze?
13 Is my help not within me? And is wisdom driven from me?
14 To him who is despairing, kindness should be shown by his friend; but he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully. Like a brook, like the streams of the brooks, they pass away;
16 which are dark because of the ice, and into which the snow vanishes.
17 When it is warm, they stop flowing; when it is hot, they dry up from their place.
18 The paths of their journey are winding; they go into nothingness and vanish.
19 The wanderers of Tema have paid attention; the travelers of Sheba have looked for them.
20 They are disappointed because they had been confident, but when they had come there they were abashed.
21 Surely now you are nothing; you see terror and are afraid.
22 Did I ever say, Bring something to me? Or, Offer a bribe for me from your wealth?
23 Or, Deliver me from the hand of the adversary? Or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
24 Teach me, and I will keep silent; cause me to understand in what way I have erred.
25 Right words are grievous, but what does your rebuke prove?
26 Do you intend to rebuke the words and the speeches of one in despair, as wind?
27 Yea, you throw down the fatherless, and dig a pit for your friend.
28 Now therefore, be pleased to look at me; for my face will tell if I am lying.
29 Turn back, let there be no injustice! Yea, turn back; my righteousness still stands!
30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern calamity?