1   But Job answered and said,

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

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

4    ^noteFor the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison of which drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God set themselves in array against me.

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

6   Can that which is unsavory 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 food.

Before CHRIST, 1520.

8   Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me ^note 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; yes, 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 my end, that I should prolong my life?

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

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

14    ^noteTo him that is afflicted pity should be shown 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 in which the snow is hid:

17   In the time when they become warm, ^note they vanish: ^note when it is hot, they are ^note 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    ^noteFor now ye are ^note nothing: ye see my casting down, and are afraid.

22   Did I say, Bring to 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 in what 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   Yes, ^note ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.

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

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

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

Previous section

Next section