1 T hen Job answered and said,

Then Job answered,

2 O h that my vexation were but weighed, And all my calamity laid in the balances!

Oh, 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!

3 F or now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas: Therefore have my words been rash.

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

4 F or the arrows of the Almighty are within me, The poison whereof my spirit drinketh up: The terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

because 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.

5 D oth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? Or loweth the ox over his fodder?

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

6 C an that which hath no savor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

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

7 M y soul refuseth to touch them; They are as loathsome food to me.

my soul refuses to touch! Such things are like diseased 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, and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

9 E ven that it would please God to crush me; That he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

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

10 A nd be it still my consolation, Yea, let me exult in pain that spareth not, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

Then 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!

11 W hat is my strength, that I should wait? And what is mine end, that I should be patient?

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

12 I s my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?

Is my strength and endurance that of stones? Or is my flesh made of bronze?

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

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

14 T o him that is ready to faint kindness should be showed from his friend; Even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

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

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

my brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away,

16 W hich are black by reason of the ice, And wherein the snow hideth itself:

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

17 W hat time they wax warm, they vanish; When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

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

18 T he caravans that travel by the way of them turn aside; They go up into the waste, and perish.

The caravans which travel by way of them turn aside; they go into the waste places 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 put to shame because they had hoped; They came thither, and were confounded.

They were confounded because they had hoped; they came there and were bitterly disappointed.

21 F or now ye are nothing; Ye see a terror, and are afraid.

Now to me you are; you see my dismay and terror, and you are afraid.

22 D id I say, Give unto me? Or, Offer a present for me of your substance?

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

23 O r, Deliver me from the adversary's hand? Or, Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?

To 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; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25 H ow forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what doth it reprove?

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

26 D o ye think to reprove words, Seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind?

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

27 Y ea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless, And make merchandise of your friend.

Yes, you would cast lots over the fatherless and bargain away your friend.

28 N ow therefore be pleased to look upon me; For surely I shall not lie to your face.

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

29 R eturn, I pray you, let there be no injustice; Yea, return again, my cause is righteous.

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

30 I s there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern mischievous things?

Is there wrong on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern what is destructive?