But Job answered and said,

Then Job replied:

O that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!

“If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales.

For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.

For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas— no wonder my words have been rash.

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.

For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?

Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder?

Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg?

The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.

My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me.

Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

If only my request were granted and God would fulfill my hope:

Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off!

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.

It still brings me comfort, and joy through unrelenting pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?

What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?

Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?

Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?

Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me?

To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;

But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow,

Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:

darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow,

What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat.

The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.

Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish.

The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it.

They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.

They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment.

For now ye are no thing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.

For now you are of no help; you see terror, and you are afraid.

Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

Have I ever said, ‘Give me something; offer me a bribe from your wealth;

Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?

deliver me from the hand of the enemy; redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’?

Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.

How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?

Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?

Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair?

Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.

You would even cast lots for an orphan and barter away your friend.

Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.

But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face?

Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.

Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.

Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?

Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice?