1 T hen Job answered,

But Job answered and said,

2 “ If only my trials and troubles were weighed!

Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!

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

For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.

4 F or 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.

For 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.

5 D oes the wild donkey make noise when it has grass? Or does the bull make noise when it has food?

Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?

6 C an something that has no taste be eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the white of an egg?

Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

7 M y soul will not touch them. They are like hated food to me.

The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.

8 “ If only I might get what I ask for, and that God would give me what I desire!

Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

9 I f only God were willing to crush me, that He would let His hand loose and destroy me!

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

10 B ut this gives me comfort even though I suffer much pain because I have not turned away from the words of the Holy One.

Then 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.

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

What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?

12 D o I have the strength of stones? Is my flesh brass?

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

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

Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?

14 “ Kindness from a friend should be shown to a man without hope, or he might turn away from the fear of the All-powerful.

To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

15 M y brothers have been like rivers that are not there when needed.

My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;

16 T hey are dark because of ice and snow turning into water.

which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:

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

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

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

The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.

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

The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

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

They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.

21 Y es, this is how you have been. You see my trouble and are afraid.

For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.

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

Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

23 H ave 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’?

Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?

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

Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25 H onest words give pain. But what does your arguing prove?

How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

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

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

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

Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.

28 N ow be pleased to look at me, and see if I lie to your face.

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

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

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

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

Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?