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!

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

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

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

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 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 he has grass? Does the ox low over his fodder?

Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?

6 C an that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste 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 T he things that my soul refused to touch before, now by my sorrow are my food.

My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.

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

What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19 T he travelers of Tema looked; the traveling 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 of their hope; they came there and found them confused.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

24 T each me, and I will be silent; and cause me to understand in what I have erred.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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