1 T hen Job answered,

Then Job answered,

2 O h, that my impatience and vexation might be weighed and all my calamity be laid up over against them in the balances, one against the other!

“If only my trials and troubles were weighed!

3 F or now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash and wild,

They would weigh more than the sand of the seas. My words have been spoken fast and without thought.

4 b ecause the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison which my spirit drinks up; the terrors of God set themselves in array against me.

For the arrows of the All-powerful are in me. My spirit drinks their poison. The hard things from God are like an army against me.

5 D oes the wild ass bray when it has grass? Or does the ox low over its fodder?

Does the wild donkey make noise when it has grass? Or does the bull make noise when it has food?

6 C an that which has no taste to it be eaten without salt? Or is there any flavor in the white of an egg?

Can something that has no taste be eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the white of an egg?

7 m y soul refuses to touch! Such things are like diseased food to me!

My soul will not touch them. They are like hated food to me.

8 O h, that I might have my request, and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

“If only I might get what I ask for, and that God would give me what I desire!

9 I even wish that it would please God to crush me, that He would let loose His hand and cut me off!

If only God were willing to crush me, that He would let His hand loose and destroy me!

10 T hen would I still have consolation—yes, I would leap amid unsparing pain —that I have not concealed or denied the words of the Holy One!

But this gives me comfort even though I suffer much pain because I have not turned away from the words of the Holy One.

11 W hat strength have I left, that I should wait and hope? And what is ahead of me, that I should be patient?

What strength have I, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should not give up?

12 I s my strength and endurance that of stones? Or is my flesh made of bronze?

Do I have the strength of stones? Is my flesh brass?

13 I s it not that I have no help in myself, and that wisdom is quite driven from me?

I have no power to help myself, and a way out is far from me.

14 T o him who is about to faint and despair, kindness is due from his friend, lest he forsake the fear of the Almighty.

“Kindness from a friend should be shown to a man without hope, or he might turn away from the fear of the All-powerful.

15 m y brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away,

My brothers have been like rivers that are not there when needed.

16 W hich are black and turbid by reason of the ice, and in which the snows hides itself;

They are dark because of ice and snow turning into water.

17 W hen they get warm, they shrink and disappear; when it is hot, they vanish out of their place.

When they have no water, there is no noise. When it is hot, they are not there.

18 T he caravans which travel by way of them turn aside; they go into the waste places and perish.

The people on their camels turn away from them. They go into the waste places and die.

19 T he caravans of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

The people and camels of Tema looked. The travelers of Sheba hoped for them.

20 T hey were confounded because they had hoped; they came there and were bitterly disappointed.

They were troubled for they had trusted. They came there and their hope goes.

21 N ow to me you are; you see my dismay and terror, and you are afraid.

Yes, this is how you have been. You see my trouble and are afraid.

22 D id I ever say, Bring me a gift, or Pay a bribe on my account from your wealth

Have I said, ‘Give me something,’ or, ‘Pay something from your riches to help me’?

23 T o deliver me from the adversary’s hand, or Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?

Have I said, ‘Take me out from under the power of the one who hates me,’ or, ‘Save me from those who make it hard for me’?

24 T each me, and I will hold my peace; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

“Teach me, and I will be quiet. Show me where I have been wrong.

25 H ow forcible are words of straightforward speech! But what does your arguing argue and prove or your reproof reprove?

Honest words give pain. But what does your arguing prove?

26 D o you imagine your words to be an argument, but the speeches of one who is desperate to be as wind?

Do you think you can speak against my words, and act as if the words of a man without hope are wind?

27 Y es, you would cast lots over the fatherless and bargain away your friend.

You would even draw names over those who have no father, and make trades over your friend.

28 N ow be pleased to look upon me, that it may be evident to you if I lie.

Now be pleased to look at me, and see if I lie to your face.

29 R eturn, I pray you, let there be no injustice; yes, return again, my vindication is in it.

I ask that you change your minds and let no wrong be done. Stop now, for I am still right and good.

30 I s there wrong on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern what is destructive?

Is there wrong-doing on my tongue? Can I not taste trouble?