1 T hen Job answered and said,

Then Job answered and said:

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

“Oh, that my grief were fully weighed, And my calamity laid with it on the scales!

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

For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea— Therefore my words have been rash.

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.

For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; My spirit drinks in their poison; The terrors of God are arrayed against me.

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

Does the wild donkey 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 flavorless food be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste 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 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 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!

That it would please God to crush me, That He would 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 I would still have comfort; Though in anguish I would exult, He will not spare; For I have not concealed 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 do I have, that I should hope? And what is my end, that I should prolong my life?

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

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

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

Is my help not within me? And is success 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 afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he 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 like a brook, Like the streams of the brooks that pass away,

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

Which are dark because of the ice, And into which the snow vanishes.

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

When it is warm, they cease to flow; When it is hot, they vanish from their place.

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

The paths of their way turn aside, They go nowhere and perish.

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

The caravans of Tema look, The travelers of Sheba hope for them.

20 T hey were put to shame because they had hoped; They came thither, and were confounded.

They are disappointed because they were confident; They come there and are confused.

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

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

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

Did I ever say, ‘Bring something to me’? Or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth’?

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

Or, ‘Deliver me from the enemy’s hand’? Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of 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 tongue; Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

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

How forceful are right words! But what does your arguing prove?

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

Do you intend to rebuke my words, And the speeches of a desperate one, which are as wind?

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

Yes, you overwhelm the fatherless, And you undermine your friend.

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

Now therefore, be pleased to look at me; For I would never lie to your face.

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

Yield now, let there be no injustice! Yes, concede, my righteousness still stands!

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

Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern the unsavory?