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Job Speaks

¹ Then Job answered, ² "If only my trials and troubles were weighed! ³ They would weigh more than the sand of the seas. My words have been spoken fast and without thought. ⁴ For the arrows of the All-powerful are in me. My spirit drinks their poison. The hard things from God are like an army against me. ⁵ Does the wild donkey make noise when it has grass? Or does the bull make noise when it has food? ⁶ Can something that has no taste be eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the white of an egg? ⁷ My soul will not touch them. They are like hated food to me.

⁸ "If only I might get what I ask for, and that God would give me what I desire! ⁹ If only God were willing to crush me, that He would let His hand loose and destroy me! ¹⁰ But this gives me comfort even though I suffer much pain because I have not turned away from the words of the Holy One. ¹¹ What strength have I, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should not give up? ¹² Do I have the strength of stones? Is my flesh brass? ¹³ I have no power to help myself, and a way out is far from me.

¹⁴ "Kindness from a friend should be shown to a man without hope, or he might turn away from the fear of the All-powerful. ¹⁵ My brothers have been like rivers that are not there when needed. ¹⁶ They are dark because of ice and snow turning into water. ¹⁷ When they have no water, there is no noise. When it is hot, they are not there. ¹⁸ The people on their camels turn away from them. They go into the waste places and die. ¹⁹ The people and camels of Tema looked. The travelers of Sheba hoped for them. ²⁰ They were troubled for they had trusted. They came there and their hope goes. ²¹ Yes, this is how you have been. You see my trouble and are afraid. ²² Have I said, ‘Give me something,' or, ‘Pay something from your riches to help me'? ²³ Have I said, ‘Take me out from under the power of the one who hates me,' or, ‘Save me from those who make it hard for me'?

²⁴ "Teach me, and I will be quiet. Show me where I have been wrong. ²⁵ Honest words give pain. But what does your arguing prove? ²⁶ Do you think you can speak against my words, and act as if the words of a man without hope are wind? ²⁷ You would even draw names over those who have no father, and make trades over your friend. ²⁸ Now be pleased to look at me, and see if I lie to your face. ²⁹ I ask that you change your minds and let no wrong be done. Stop now, for I am still right and good. ³⁰ Is there wrong-doing on my tongue? Can I not taste trouble?