1 B ut Job answered and said,

Then Job answered,

2 O h that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!

“If only my trials and troubles were weighed!

3 F or now 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, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against 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 oth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox 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 are as my sorrowful meat.

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

8 O h 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 I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed 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? and what is mine 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 brass?

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

13 I s not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?

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

14 T o him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh 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 dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;

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

16 W hich are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:

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

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

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

18 T he paths of their way are turned aside; 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 troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

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

20 T hey were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.

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

21 F or now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.

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

22 D id I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

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

23 O r, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem 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 hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

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

25 H ow forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

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

26 D o ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?

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

27 Y ea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.

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

28 N ow therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.

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

29 R eturn, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.

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

30 I s there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?

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