1 ¶ And Job answered and said,

Then Job answered,

2 O h that my grief and calamity were justly weighed and laid equally in the balances!

“If only my trials and troubles were weighed!

3 F or it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore, my words are swallowed up.

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

4 F or the arrows of the Almighty are within me; my spirit drinks of the poison; and terrors of God combat 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 he has grass? Does the ox low over his 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 is unsavoury be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste 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 T he things that my soul refused to touch before, now by my sorrow are my food.

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

8 ¶ Oh, 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 E ven that it would please God to destroy 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 should my comfort grow; I would hold on to sorrow without mercy; for I have not contradicted 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 is my strength that I should hope? What is my end that I should prolong my life?

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

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

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

13 A m I not doing all that I can, and even with all this I lack the power to do anything?

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

14 ¶ He that is afflicted deserves mercy from his friend; but he has forsaken 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 lied to me as a brook; they passed away as an impetuous stream,

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

16 w hich was hidden by ice and covered by snow.

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

17 W hich in the time of heat, they vanish; when they are heated, they disappear out of their place;

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

18 t hey turn aside out of the paths of their way; they go to nothing and perish.

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

19 T he travelers of Tema looked; the traveling companies of Sheba waited for them.

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

20 T hey were put to shame because of their hope; they came there and found them confused.

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

21 N ow ye are certainly as they; ye have seen the torment and are afraid.

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

22 ¶ Did I say, Bring unto me and pay for me out of your substance

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

23 a nd deliver me from the enemy’s hand and ransom me from the hand of the mighty?

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 be silent; and cause me to understand in what I have erred.

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

25 H ow forcible are the words of rectitude! But what does your argument reprove?

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

26 A re ye not thinking up words of reproof and throw to the wind words that are lost?

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

27 Y e also overwhelm the fatherless and dig a pit before your friend.

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

28 N ow, therefore, if ye desire, look upon me and see if I shall lie in your presence.

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

29 T urn now, and there is no iniquity; return again to look for my righteousness in this.

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

30 I f there is iniquity in my tongue or if my taste cannot discern the torments.

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