King James Bible

International Standard Version

1But Job answered and said,

1In rebuttal, Job replied:

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

2"If only my grief could be weighed; or my calamity piled together on a balance scale!

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

3It would weigh more than the sand on the seashore! Here's why I've talked so rashly:

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.

4"The arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit absorbs their poison; God's terrors have been arranged just for me!

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

5"Will the wild donkey bray from hunger if fresh grass is beside him? Will the ox low from distress if it is near its feed?

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

6Tasteless food isn't eaten without salt, is it? Is there any taste in an egg white?

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

7I cannot bring myself to touch them; food like this makes me sick."

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

8"Who will grant my wish? I wish God would grant what I'm hoping for:

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

9that God would just be willing to crush me; that he would let loose and eliminate me!

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.

10At least I could still take comfort and rejoice in unceasing anguish, for I didn't conceal what the Holy One has to say.

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

11"Do I have the strength to wait? And why should I be patient?

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

12Am I as strong as a rock? Am I some kind of iron man?

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

13There is no help within me, is there? My resources have been driven away from me, haven't they?

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

14The friend shows gracious love for his friend, even if he has forsaken the fear of the Almighty.

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

15But my brothers have acted treacherously like a cascading river, like torrential rivers that overflow.

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

16Filled with waters made cold by ice, they are where the snow goes to hide.

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

17But then the snow melts, and they disappear; when warmed, they evaporate from their stream beds.

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

18Travelers divert in their route; they go into a wasteland and die.

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

19Travelers from Tema search intently; caravans from Sheba hope to find them.

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

20For all their expectations, they are doomed to disappointment; even though they have come and searched this far.

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

21"And now you're all just like them, aren't you? You see my terror and are terrified.

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

22When did I ever ask you for anything, say 'Offer 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 say 'Deliver me from my enemy's control,' or 'Redeem me from the domination of ruthless people'?"

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

24"Instruct me, and I'll remain silent. Help me understand where I've gone astray.

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

25The truth can be painful, but what has your argument proven?

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

26Did you intend your words to reprove, even though the speech of a desperate person is just wind?

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

27Indeed, you would gamble to buy an orphan; and barter to buy your friend!

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

28Now be willing to face me, and I won't lie to your face.

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

29Repent! Let there be no injustice; Change your ways! My vindication is at stake.

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

30Have I said anything that's unjust? I can discern evil, can't I?"

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.