King James Bible

English Standard Version

1But Job answered and said,

1Then Job answered and said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9that it would please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand 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.

10This would be my comfort; I would even exult in pain unsparing, for 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 is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient?

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

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

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

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

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

14“He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes 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 treacherous as a torrent-bed, as torrential streams that pass away,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

23Or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.