¹ Then Job replied: Then Job replied: ² “If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales. “If only my grief could be weighed
and placed with my calamity on the scales. ³ For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas— no wonder my words have been rash. For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas—
no wonder my words have been rash. ⁴ For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed 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. ⁵ Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder? Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass,
or an ox low over its fodder? ⁶ Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg ? Is tasteless food eaten without salt,
or is there flavor in the white of an egg ¹? ⁷ My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me. My soul refuses to touch them;
they are loathsome food to me. ⁸ If only my request were granted and God would fulfill my hope: If only my request were granted
and God would fulfill my hope: ⁹ that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off! that God would be willing to crush me,
to unleash His hand and cut me off! ¹⁰ It still brings me comfort, and joy through unrelenting pain, that I have not denied 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. ¹¹ What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient? What strength do I have, that I should still hope?
What is my future, that I should be patient? ¹² Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze? Is my strength like that of stone,
or my flesh made of bronze? ¹³ Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me? Is there any help within me
now that success is driven from me? ¹⁴ A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend,
even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. ¹⁵ But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow, But my brothers are as faithless as wadis,
as seasonal streams that overflow, ¹⁶ darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow, darkened because of the ice
and the inflow of melting snow, ¹⁷ but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat. but ceasing in the dry season
and vanishing from their channels in the heat. ¹⁸ Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish. Caravans turn aside from their routes;
they go into the wasteland and perish. ¹⁹ The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it. The caravans of Tema look for water;
the travelers of Sheba hope to find it. ²⁰ They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment. They are confounded because they had hoped;
their arrival brings disappointment. ²¹ For now you are of no help; you see terror, and you are afraid. For now you are of no help;
you see terror, and you are afraid. ²² Have I ever said, ‘Give me something; offer me a bribe from your wealth; Have I ever said, ‘Give me something;
offer me a bribe from your wealth; ²³ deliver me from the hand of the enemy; redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’? deliver me from the hand of the enemy;
redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’? ²⁴ Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred. Teach me, and I will be silent.
Help me understand how I have erred. ²⁵ How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove? How painful are honest words!
But what does your argument prove? ²⁶ Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair? Do you intend to correct my words,
and treat as wind my cry of despair? ²⁷ You would even cast lots for an orphan and barter away your friend. You would even cast lots for an orphan
and barter away your friend. ²⁸ But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face? But now, please look at me.
Would I lie to your face? ²⁹ Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake. Reconsider; do not be unjust.
Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake. ³⁰ Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice? Is there iniquity on my tongue?
Can my mouth not discern malice?