New King James Version

English Standard Version

1Then Job answered and said:

1Then Job answered and said:

2“Oh, that my grief were fully weighed, And my calamity laid with it on the scales!

2“Oh that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!

3For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea— Therefore my words have been rash.

3For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash.

4For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; My spirit drinks in their poison; The terrors of God are arrayed against me.

4For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

5Does the wild donkey bray when it has grass, Or does the ox low over its fodder?

5Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass, or the ox low over his fodder?

6Can flavorless food be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

6Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any taste in the juice of the mallow?

7My soul refuses to touch them; They are as loathsome food to me.

7My appetite refuses to touch them; they are as food that is loathsome to me.

8“Oh, that I might have my request, That God would grant me the thing that I long for!

8“Oh that I might have my request, and that God would fulfill my hope,

9That it would please God to crush me, That He would loose His hand and cut me off!

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

10Then I would still have comfort; Though in anguish I would exult, He will not spare; For I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

10This would be my comfort; I would even exult in pain unsparing, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11“What strength do I have, that I should hope? And what is my end, that I should prolong my life?

11What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient?

12Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh bronze?

12Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?

13Is my help not within me? And is success driven from me?

13Have I any help in me, when resource is driven from me?

14“To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

14“He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

15My brothers have dealt deceitfully like a brook, Like the streams of the brooks that pass away,

15My brothers are treacherous as a torrent-bed, as torrential streams that pass away,

16Which are dark because of the ice, And into which the snow vanishes.

16which are dark with ice, and where the snow hides itself.

17When it is warm, they cease to flow; When it is hot, they vanish from their place.

17When they melt, they disappear; when it is hot, they vanish from their place.

18The paths of their way turn aside, They go nowhere and perish.

18The caravans turn aside from their course; they go up into the waste and perish.

19The caravans of Tema look, The travelers of Sheba hope for them.

19The caravans of Tema look, the travelers of Sheba hope.

20They are disappointed because they were confident; They come there and are confused.

20They are ashamed because they were confident; they come there and are disappointed.

21For now you are nothing, You see terror and are afraid.

21For you have now become nothing; you see my calamity and are afraid.

22Did I ever say, ‘Bring something to me’? Or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth’?

22Have I said, ‘Make me a gift’? Or, ‘From your wealth offer a bribe for me’?

23Or, ‘Deliver me from the enemy’s hand’? Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of oppressors’?

23Or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’? Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the ruthless’?

24“Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

24“Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray.

25How forceful are right words! But what does your arguing prove?

25How forceful are upright words! But what does reproof from you reprove?

26Do you intend to rebuke my words, And the speeches of a desperate one, which are as wind?

26Do you think that you can reprove words, when the speech of a despairing man is wind?

27Yes, you overwhelm the fatherless, And you undermine your friend.

27You would even cast lots over the fatherless, and bargain over your friend.

28Now therefore, be pleased to look at me; For I would never lie to your face.

28“But now, be pleased to look at me, for I will not lie to your face.

29Yield now, let there be no injustice! Yes, concede, my righteousness still stands!

29Please turn; let no injustice be done. Turn now; my vindication is at stake.

30Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern the unsavory?

30Is there any injustice on my tongue? Cannot my palate discern the cause of calamity?

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.