1. |
But Job answered and said, |
2. |
Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together! |
3. |
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up. |
4. |
For 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. |
5. |
Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder? |
6. |
Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg? |
7. |
The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat. |
8. |
Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! |
9. |
Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off! |
10. |
Then 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. |
11. |
What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life? |
12. |
Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass? |
13. |
Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me? |
14. |
To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. |
15. |
My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away; |
16. |
Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid: |
17. |
What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. |
18. |
The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish. |
19. |
The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them. |
20. |
They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed. |
21. |
For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid. |
22. |
Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance? |
23. |
Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty? |
24. |
Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. |
25. |
How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove? |
26. |
Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind? |
27. |
Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend. |
28. |
Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie. |
29. |
Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it. |
30. |
Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things? |