1 But Job answered, and said:
2 O that my sins, whereby I have deserved wrath, and the calamity that I suffer, were weighed in a balance.
3 As the sand of the sea this would appear heavier: therefore my words are full of sorrow :
4 For the arrows of the Lord are in me, the rage whereof drinketh up my spirit, and the terrors of the Lord war against me.
5 Will the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or will the ox low when he standeth before a full manger?
6 Or can an unsavoury thing be eaten, that is not seasoned with salt? or can a man taste that which when tasted bringeth death?
7 The things which before my soul would not touch, now, through anguish are my meats.
8 Who will grant that my request may come: and that God may give me what I look for?
9 And that he that hath begun may destroy me, that he may let loose his hand, and cut me off?
10 And that this may be my comfort, that afflicting me with sorrow, he spare not, nor I contradict the words of the Holy One.
11 For what is my strength, that I can hold out? or what is my end that I should keep patience?
12 My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh of brass.
13 Behold there is no help for me in myself, and my familiar friends also are departed from me.
14 He that taketh away mercy from his friend, forsaketh the fear of the Lord.
15 My brethren have passed by me, as the torrent that passeth swiftly in the valleys.
16 They that fear the hoary frost, the snow shall fall upon them.
17 At the time when they shall be scattered they shall perish: and after it groweth hot they shall be melted out of their place.
18 The paths of their steps are entangled: they shall walk in vain, and shall perish.
19 Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.
20 They are confounded, because I have hoped: they are come also even unto me, and are covered with shame.
21 Now you are come: and now seeing my affliction you are afraid.
22 Did I say: Bring to me, and give me of your substance?
23 Or deliver me from the hand of the enemy, and rescue me out of the hand of the mighty?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace: and if I have been ignorant in any thing, instruct me.
25 Why have you detracted the words of truth, whereas there is none of you that can reprove me?
26 You dress up speeches only to rebuke, and you utter words to the wind.
27 You rush in upon the fatherless, and you endeavour to overthrow your friend.
28 However finish what you have begun, give ear, and see whether I lie.
29 Answer, I beseech you, without contention: and speaking that which is just, judge ye.
30 And you shall not And iniquity in my tongue, neither shall folly sound in my mouth.
1 But Job answered and said,
2 O that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
4 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 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
6 Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
8 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
9 Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10 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 What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
13 Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
14 To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
17 What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
21 For now ye are no thing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.
22 Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
26 Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
28 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?