Job Replies: My Complaint is Just
1But Job answered and said,
2Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
3For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
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.
5Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
6Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
8Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
9Even that it would please God to destroy 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.
11What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
12Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
13Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
14To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
15My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
16Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
17What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
19The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
20They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
21For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.
22Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
23Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
24Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
26Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
27Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
28Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
29Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
30Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
Job Replies: My Complaint Is Just
1 Then Job answered,
2 “Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore have my words been rash.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me. My spirit drinks up their poison. The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.
5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?
6 Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.
8 “Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,
9 even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10 Be it still my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn’t spare, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?
13 Isn’t it that I have no help in me, That wisdom is driven quite from me?
14 “To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;
16 Which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.
17 In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 The caravans that travel beside them turn aside. They go up into the waste, and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.
21 For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.
22 Did I say, ‘Give to me?’ or, ‘Offer a present for me from your substance?’
23 or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand?’ or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?’
24 “Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?
26 Do you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
27 Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.
28 Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I shall not lie to your face.
29 Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.
30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?
Job Replies: My Complaint Is Just
1 Then Job replied:
2 “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.
4 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?
6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt,
or is there flavor in the white of an egg a?
7 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:
9 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.
11 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?
13 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.
15 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,
17 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.
19 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.
21 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;
23 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.
25 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?
27 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?
29 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?
Footnotes:
6 a Or in the sap of the mallow plant
Job Replies: My Complaint is Just
1And Job answereth and saith: --
2O that my provocation were thoroughly weighed, And my calamity in balances They would lift up together!
3For now, than the sands of the sea it is heavier, Therefore my words have been rash.
4For arrows of the Mighty are with me, Whose poison is drinking up my spirit. Terrors of God array themselves for me!
5Brayeth a wild ass over tender grass? Loweth an ox over his provender?
6Eaten is an insipid thing without salt? Is there sense in the drivel of dreams?
7My soul is refusing to touch! They are as my sickening food.
8O that my request may come, That God may grant my hope!
9That God would please -- and bruise me, Loose His hand and cut me off!
10And yet it is my comfort, (And I exult in pain -- He doth not spare,) That I have not hidden The sayings of the Holy One.
11What is my power that I should hope? And what mine end That I should prolong my life?
12Is my strength the strength of stones? Is my flesh brazen?
13Is not my help with me, And substance driven from me?
14To a despiser of his friends is shame, And the fear of the Mighty he forsaketh.
15My brethren have deceived as a brook, As a stream of brooks they pass away.
16That are black because of ice, By them doth snow hide itself.
17By the time they are warm they have been cut off, By its being hot they have been Extinguished from their place.
18Turn aside do the paths of their way, They ascend into emptiness, and are lost.
19Passengers of Tema looked expectingly, Travellers of Sheba hoped for them.
20They were ashamed that one hath trusted, They have come unto it and are confounded.
21Surely now ye have become the same! Ye see a downfall, and are afraid.
22Is it because I said, Give to me? And, By your power bribe for me?
23And, Deliver me from the hand of an adversary? And, From the hand of terrible ones ransom me?
24Shew me, and I -- I keep silent, And what I have erred, let me understand.
25How powerful have been upright sayings, And what doth reproof from you reprove?
26For reproof -- do you reckon words? And for wind -- sayings of the desperate.
27Anger on the fatherless ye cause to fall, And are strange to your friend.
28And, now, please, look upon me, Even to your face do I lie?
29Turn back, I pray you, let it not be perverseness, Yea, turn back again -- my righteousness is in it.
30Is there in my tongue perverseness? Discerneth not my palate desirable things?
