English Standard Version

New American Standard Bible 1995

1Then Job answered and said:

1Then Job answered,

2“Oh that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!

2"Oh that my grief were actually weighed And laid in the balances together with my calamity!

3For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash.

3"For then it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; Therefore my words have been rash.

4For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

4"For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, Their poison my spirit drinks; The terrors of God are arrayed against me.

5Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass, or the ox low over his fodder?

5"Does the wild donkey bray over his grass, Or does the ox low over his fodder?

6Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any taste in the juice of the mallow?

6"Can something tasteless be eaten without salt, Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

7My appetite refuses to touch them; they are as food that is loathsome to me.

7"My soul refuses to touch them; They are like loathsome food to me.

8“Oh that I might have my request, and that God would fulfill my hope,

8"Oh that my request might come to pass, And that God would grant my longing!

9that it would please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!

9"Would that God were willing to crush me, That He would loose His hand and cut me off!

10This would be my comfort; I would even exult in pain unsparing, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

10"But it is still my consolation, And I rejoice in unsparing pain, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient?

11"What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should endure?

12Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?

12"Is my strength the strength of stones, Or is my flesh bronze?

13Have I any help in me, when resource is driven from me?

13"Is it that my help is not within me, And that deliverance is driven from me?

14“He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

14"For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; So that he does not forsake the fear of the Almighty.

15My brothers are treacherous as a torrent-bed, as torrential streams that pass away,

15"My brothers have acted deceitfully like a wadi, Like the torrents of wadis which vanish,

16which are dark with ice, and where the snow hides itself.

16Which are turbid because of ice And into which the snow melts.

17When they melt, they disappear; when it is hot, they vanish from their place.

17"When they become waterless, they are silent, When it is hot, they vanish from their place.

18The caravans turn aside from their course; they go up into the waste and perish.

18"The paths of their course wind along, They go up into nothing and perish.

19The caravans of Tema look, the travelers of Sheba hope.

19"The caravans of Tema looked, The travelers of Sheba hoped for them.

20They are ashamed because they were confident; they come there and are disappointed.

20"They were disappointed for they had trusted, They came there and were confounded.

21For you have now become nothing; you see my calamity and are afraid.

21"Indeed, you have now become such, You see a terror and are afraid.

22Have I said, ‘Make me a gift’? Or, ‘From your wealth offer a bribe for me’?

22"Have I said, 'Give me something,' Or, 'Offer a bribe for me from your wealth,'

23Or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’? Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the ruthless’?

23Or, 'Deliver me from the hand of the adversary,' Or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the tyrants '?

24“Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray.

24"Teach me, and I will be silent; And show me how I have erred.

25How forceful are upright words! But what does reproof from you reprove?

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

26Do you think that you can reprove words, when the speech of a despairing man is wind?

26"Do you intend to reprove my words, When the words of one in despair belong to the wind?

27You would even cast lots over the fatherless, and bargain over your friend.

27"You would even cast lots for the orphans And barter over your friend.

28“But now, be pleased to look at me, for I will not lie to your face.

28"Now please look at me, And see if I lie to your face.

29Please turn; let no injustice be done. Turn now; my vindication is at stake.

29"Desist now, let there be no injustice; Even desist, my righteousness is yet in it.

30Is there any injustice on my tongue? Cannot my palate discern the cause of calamity?

30"Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my palate discern calamities?

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