1 T hen Job answered,

Then Job answered and said,

2 “ If only my trials and troubles were weighed!

Oh that my vexation were but weighed, And all my calamity laid in the balances!

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 seas: Therefore have my words been rash.

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 my spirit drinketh up: 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 hath no savor 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.

My soul refuseth to touch them; They are as loathsome 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!

Even 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.

And be it still my consolation, Yea, let me exult in pain that spareth not, That I have not 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 is my strength, that I should wait? And what is mine end, that I should be patient?

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 it not that I have no help in me, And that wisdom is 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 ready to faint kindness should be showed from his friend; Even to him that 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, As the channel of brooks that pass away;

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

Which are black by reason of the ice, And wherein the snow hideth itself:

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 caravans that travel by the way of them turn aside; They go up into the waste, 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 put to shame because they had hoped; They came thither, and were confounded.

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

For now ye are nothing; Ye see a terror, and are afraid.

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

Did I say, Give unto me? Or, Offer a present 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 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 uprightness! But your reproof, what doth it 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 think to reprove words, Seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind?

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

Yea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless, And make merchandise of your friend.

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

Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; For surely I shall not lie to your face.

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; Yea, return again, my cause is righteous.

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

Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern mischievous things?