1 N a ka whakautu a Hopa, ka mea,

Then Job answered,

2 A ue, me i ata paunatia toku mamae, me i huihuia, me i whakairihia toku aitua ki te pauna!

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

3 N a inaianei taimaha ake i te onepu o te moana: heoi he ohorere rawa aku kupu.

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

4 K ei roto hoki i ahau nga pere a te Kaha Rawa, inumia ake e toku wairua to ratou paihana: rarangi tonu mai nga whakawehi a te Atua hei hoariri moku.

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 E tangi ano ranei te kaihe mohoao i te mea kei te tarutaru ia? e tangi ano ranei te kau i te mea e kai ana?

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

6 E taea ranei te kai, te mea kahore nei ona ha, ki te kahore he tote? He reka ranei te whakakahukahu o te hua manu?

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

7 H ore rawa toku wairua e mea kia pa atu ki ena; to ratou rite ki ahau kei te kai whakarihariha.

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

8 A ue, me i riro mai taku i tono ai, me i homai e te Atua taku e tumanako nei!

“Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,

9 M e i pai hoki te Atua kia whakangaromia ahau, kia tukua mai tona ringa hei hatepe i ahau!

even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

10 P enei kua ai ano he whakamarie moku; ae, ka tino hari ahau ki te mamae, kahore nei e tohu i ahau: kihai hoki nga kupu a te Mea Tapu i huna e ahau.

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 H e aha toku kaha, e tatari ai ahau? He aha hoki toku mutunga, e whakamanawanui ai ahau?

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

12 H e kaha kohatu ranei toku kaha? He parahi ranei oku kikokiko?

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

13 E hara ranei i te mea kahore he awhina moku i roto i ahau, a kua oti te ngoi te pei i roto i ahau?

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

14 K o te tangata e ngoikore ana te ngakau kia puta mai te aroha o tona hoa ki a ia, ahakoa kua mahue i a ia te wehi i te Kaha Rawa.

“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 H e mahi tinihanga ta oku teina, he pera me ta te awa; rere ana ratou ano he waipuke awaawa,

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

16 K ua mangu nei i te hukapapa, ngaro ana te hukarere i roto.

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

17 I te wa e mahana ai, ka memeha atu; i te weraweratanga, moti iho ratou i to ratou wahi.

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

18 K a peka ke nga tira e haere ana ra reira; riro ana ki te kore, a ngaro iho.

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

19 T irotirohia ana e nga tira o Tema; taria atu ana e nga tangata haere o Hepa.

The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.

20 W hakama ana ratou mo ratou i whakamanawa atu ki reira; te taenga ki aua awa, kanakana kau ana.

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

21 N a he kahore noa iho koutou; ka kite koutou i te mea whakamataku, a ka wehi.

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

22 I mea ranei ahau, Homai ki ahau? He hakari ranei maku e homai i o koutou rawa?

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

23 I mea ranei, whakaorangia ahau i te ringa o te hoariri? Hokona ahau i roto i te ringa o te kaitukino?

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

24 W hakaakona ahau, a ka whakarongo puku ahau; whakaaturia ki ahau te mea i he ai ahau.

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

25 A no te kaha o nga kupu tika! Ko te aha ia te riria ana e a koutou kupu?

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

26 E mea ana ranei koutou kia riria nga kupu? he hau kau nei hoki nga korero a te tangata kua pau ona whakaaro.

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

27 A e ra, e mea ana koutou ki te maka rota mo nga pani, ki te mea i to koutou hoa hei taonga hokohoko.

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

28 N a whakaae mai, titiro mai ki ahau; he pono hoki e kore ahau e korero teka ki to koutou kanohi.

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

29 T ena ra, tahuri mai; kaua hoki te he e waiho; ina, tahuri mai, he tika hoki taku take.

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

30 H e he koia kei toku arero? e kore ranei toku hinengaro e mohio ki nga mea whanoke?

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