King James Bible

Christian Standard Bible

1But Job answered and said,

1Then Job answered:

2Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!

2If only my grief could be weighed and my devastation placed with it on the scales.

3For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.

3For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas! That is why my words are rash.

4For 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.

4Surely the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks their poison. God's terrors are arrayed against me.

5Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?

5Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass or an ox low over its fodder?

6Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

6Is bland food eaten without salt? Is there flavor in an egg white?

7The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.

7I refuse to touch them; they are like contaminated food.

8Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

8If only my request would be granted and God would provide what I hope for:

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

9that he would decide to crush me, to unleash his power and cut me off!

10Then 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.

10It would still bring me comfort, and I would leap for joy in unrelenting pain that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?

11What strength do I have, that I should continue to hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

12Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?

12Is my strength that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?

13Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?

13Since I cannot help myself, the hope for success has been banished from me.

14To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

14A despairing man should receive loyalty from his friends, even if he abandons the fear of the Almighty.

15My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;

15My brothers are as treacherous as a wadi, as seasonal streams that overflow

16Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:

16and become darkened because of ice, and the snow melts into them.

17What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

17The wadis evaporate in warm weather; they disappear from their channels in hot weather.

18The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.

18Caravans turn away from their routes, go up into the desert, and perish.

19The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

19The caravans of Tema look for these streams. The traveling merchants of Sheba hope for them.

20They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.

20They are ashamed because they had been confident of finding water. When they arrive there, they are disappointed.

21For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.

21So this is what you have now become to me. When you see something dreadful, you are afraid.

22Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

22Have I ever said: "Give me something" or "Pay a bribe for me from your wealth"

23Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?

23or "Deliver me from the enemy's hand" or "Redeem me from the hand of the ruthless"?

24Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

24Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand what I did wrong.

25How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

25How painful honest words can be! But what does your rebuke prove?

26Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?

26Do you think that you can disprove my words or that a despairing man's words are mere wind?

27Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.

27No doubt you would cast lots for a fatherless child and negotiate a price to sell your friend.

28Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.

28But now, please look at me; I will not lie to your face.

29Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.

29Reconsider; don't be unjust. Reconsider; my righteousness is still the issue.

30Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?

30Is there injustice on my tongue or can my palate not taste disaster?

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.