1 But Job answered and said,

1 ¶ Then Job answered and said,

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

2 ¶ Oh that my vexation were but 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.

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, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

4 ¶ For the arrows of the Almighty are within me,
The poison whereof my spirit drinketh up:
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?

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?

6 ¶ Can that which hath no savour 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.

7 ¶ My soul refuseth to touch them;
They are as loathsome meat to me.

8 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

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!

9 ¶ Even that it would please God to crush 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.

10 ¶ Then should I yet have comfort;
Yea, I would exult in pain that spareth not:
For I have not denied 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?

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

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

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?

13 ¶ Is it not that I have no help in me,
And that effectual working is 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.

14 ¶ To him that is ready to faint kindness should be shewed from his friend;
Even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;

15 ¶ My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook,
As the channel of brooks that pass away;

16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:

16 ¶ Which are black by reason of the ice,
And wherein the snow hideth itself:

17 What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

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.

18 ¶ The caravans that travel by the way of them turn aside;
They go up into the waste, and perish.

19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

19 ¶ The caravans of Tema looked,
The companies of Sheba waited for them.

20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.

20 ¶ They were ashamed because they had hoped;
They came thither, and were confounded.

21 For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.

21 ¶ For now ye are nothing;
Ye see a terror, and are afraid.

22 Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

22 ¶ Did I say, Give unto me?
Or, Offer a present for me of your substance?

23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?

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 tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

24 ¶ Teach me, and I will hold my peace:
And cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

25 ¶ How forcible are words of uprightness!
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?

26 ¶ Do ye imagine to reprove words?
Seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind.

27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.

27 ¶ Yea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless,
And make merchandise of your friend.

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

28 ¶ Now therefore be pleased to look upon me;
For surely I shall not lie to your face.

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

29 ¶ Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice;
Yea, return again, my cause is righteous.

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

30 ¶ Is there injustice on my tongue?
Cannot my taste discern mischievous things?