| King James Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1But Job answered and said, | 1Then 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 and placed with my calamity on the scales. |
| 3For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up. | 3For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas—no wonder 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 have pierced me; my spirit drinks in 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 a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder? |
| 6Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg? | 6Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg? |
| 7The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat. | 7My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me. |
| 8Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! | 8If only my request were granted and 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 God would be willing to crush me, to unleash 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. | 10It still brings me comfort, and joy through unrelenting pain, that 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 strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient? |
| 12Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass? | 12Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze? |
| 13Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me? | 13Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me? |
| 14To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. | 14A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes 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 are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow, |
| 16Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid: | 16darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow, |
| 17What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. | 17but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat. |
| 18The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish. | 18Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish. |
| 19The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them. | 19The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it. |
| 20They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed. | 20They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment. |
| 21For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid. | 21For now you are of no help; you see terror, and you are afraid. |
| 22Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance? | 22Have I ever said, ‘Give me something; offer me a bribe from your wealth; |
| 23Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty? | 23deliver me from the hand of the enemy; redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’? |
| 24Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. | 24Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred. |
| 25How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove? | 25How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove? |
| 26Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind? | 26Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair? |
| 27Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend. | 27You would even cast lots for an orphan and barter away your friend. |
| 28Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie. | 28But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face? |
| 29Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it. | 29Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake. |
| 30Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things? | 30Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice? |
|
