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!

“Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!

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

For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore have my words been rash.

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 Almighty are within me. My spirit drinks up their poison. The terrors of God set themselves in array 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 bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?

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 that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or 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 refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.

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

“Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,

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

even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

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!

Be it still my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn’t spare, that I have not denied 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 is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?

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

Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?

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

Isn’t it that I have no help in me, That wisdom is driven quite 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.

“To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

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

My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;

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

Which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.

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

In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

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

The caravans that travel beside them turn aside. They go up into the waste, and perish.

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

The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.

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

They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.

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

For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.

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

Did I say, ‘Give to me?’ or, ‘Offer a present for me from your substance?’

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

or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand?’ or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?’

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

“Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

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

How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?

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 intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?

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

Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.

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

Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I shall not lie to your face.

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

Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.

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

Is there injustice on my tongue? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?