1 T hen Job answered and said:

Then Job answered,

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

“If only my trials and troubles were weighed!

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

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 in their poison; The terrors of God are arrayed 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 oes the wild donkey bray when it has grass, Or does the ox low over its fodder?

Does the wild donkey make noise when it has grass? Or does the bull make noise when it has food?

6 C an flavorless food 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 M y soul refuses to touch them; They are as loathsome food to me.

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

8 “ Oh, that I might have my request, 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 T hat it would please God to crush me, That He would 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 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.

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 “ What strength do I have, that I should hope? And 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 bronze?

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

13 I s my help not within me? And is success driven from me?

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

14 “ To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes 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 brothers have dealt deceitfully like a brook, Like the streams of the brooks that pass away,

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

16 W hich are dark because of the ice, And into which the snow vanishes.

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

17 W hen it is warm, they cease to flow; When it is hot, they vanish from 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 turn aside, They go nowhere and perish.

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

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

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

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

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

21 F or now you are nothing, You see terror and are afraid.

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

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

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 oppressors’?

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 “ Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; 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 forceful are right words! But what does your arguing prove?

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

26 D o you intend to rebuke my words, And the speeches of a desperate one, 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 es, you overwhelm the fatherless, And you undermine your friend.

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

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

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

29 Y ield now, let there be no injustice! Yes, concede, my righteousness still stands!

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

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