1 T hen Job answered,

Then Job answered,

2 “ If only my trials and troubles were weighed!

Oh, that my impatience and vexation might be weighed and all my calamity be laid up over against them in the balances, one against the other!

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 have been rash and wild,

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.

because the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison which my spirit drinks up; the terrors of God 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?

Does the wild ass bray when it has grass? Or does the ox low over its 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 has no taste to it be eaten without salt? Or is there any flavor in the white of an egg?

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

my soul refuses to touch! Such things are like diseased food to me!

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!

I even wish that it would please God to crush 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 would I still have consolation—yes, I would leap amid unsparing pain —that I have not concealed or denied 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 strength have I left, that I should wait and hope? And what is ahead of me, that I should be patient?

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

Is my strength and endurance that of stones? Or is my flesh made of bronze?

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

Is it not that I have no help in myself, and that wisdom is quite driven 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 who is about to faint and despair, kindness is due from his friend, lest he forsake 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, as the channel of brooks that pass away,

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

Which are black and turbid by reason of the ice, and in which the snows hides itself;

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

When they get warm, they shrink and disappear; when it is hot, they vanish out of their place.

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

The caravans which travel by way of them turn aside; they go into the waste places and perish.

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

The caravans 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 there and were bitterly disappointed.

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

Now to me you are; you see my dismay and terror, and you are afraid.

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

Did I ever say, Bring me a gift, or Pay a bribe on my account from your wealth

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’?

To deliver me from the adversary’s hand, or Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?

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

Teach me, and I will hold my peace; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

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

How forcible are words of straightforward speech! But what does your arguing argue and prove or your reproof 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 you imagine your words to be an argument, but the speeches of one who is desperate to be as wind?

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

Yes, you would cast lots over the fatherless and bargain away your friend.

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

Now be pleased to look upon me, that it may be evident to 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 there be no injustice; yes, return again, my vindication is in it.

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

Is there wrong on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern what is destructive?