Then Job answered,
But Job answered and said,
“Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore my words have been rash.
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
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.
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.
Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?
Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or 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?
My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.
The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
“Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,
Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
Let it still be my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn’t spare, that I have not denied 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.
What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?
What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of bronze?
Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
Isn’t it that I have no help in me, that wisdom is driven away from me?
Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
“To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;
My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.
Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
The caravans that travel beside them turn away. They go up into the waste, and perish.
The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.
The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.
They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.
For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.
Did I ever say, ‘Give to me?’ or, ‘Offer a present for me from your substance?’
Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand?’ or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?’
Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
“Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand my error.
Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?
How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
Do you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.
Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I will not lie to your face.
Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.
Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
Is there injustice on my tongue? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?
Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?