1 T hen Job answered,

Then Job answered,

2 “ If only my trials and troubles were weighed!

“Oh that my anguish were 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. My spirit drinks up their poison. 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 donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low 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 has no flavor 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 refuses 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, that God would grant 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.

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 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? What is my 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.

Isn’t it that I have no help in me, 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 who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

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

My brothers 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, in which the snow hides itself.

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

In the dry season, 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 beside 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 distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.

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

For now you are nothing. You 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 to me?’ or, ‘Offer a present for me from 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. 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 does 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 you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?

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

Yes, you would even cast lots for 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 at 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.

Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, 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? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?