Job Replies: My Complaint Is Just 1 Brenton But Job answered and said, BSB BSB: Then Job replied:
2 Brenton Oh that one would indeed weigh the wrath that is upon me, and take up my griefs in a balance together! BSB BSB: “If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales.
3 Brenton And verily they would be heavier than the sand by the seashore: but, as it seems, my words are vain. BSB BSB: For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas—no wonder my words have been rash.
4 Brenton For the arrows of the Lord are in my body, whose violence drinks up my blood: whenever I am going to speak, they pierce me. BSB BSB: For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
5 Brenton What then? will the wild ass bray for nothing, if he is not seeking food? or again, will the ox low at the manger, when he has fodder? BSB BSB: Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder?
6 Brenton Shall bread be eaten without salt? or again, is there taste in empty words? BSB BSB: Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg?
7 Brenton For my wrath cannot cease; for I perceive my food as the smell of a lion to be loathsome. BSB BSB: My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me.
8 Brenton For oh that he would grant my desire , and my petition might come, and the Lord would grant my hope! BSB BSB: If only my request were granted and God would fulfill my hope:
9 Brenton Let the Lord begin and wound me, but let him not utterly destroy me. BSB BSB: that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off!
10 Brenton Let the grave be my city, upon the walls of which I have leaped: I will not shrink from it; for I have not denied the holy words of my God. BSB BSB: It still brings me comfort, and joy through unrelenting pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 Brenton For what is my strength, that I continue? what is my time, that my soul endures? BSB BSB: What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?
12 Brenton Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass? BSB BSB: Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?
13 Brenton Or have I not trusted in him? but help is far from me. BSB BSB: Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me?
14 Brenton Mercy has rejected me; and the visitation of the Lord has disregarded me. BSB BSB: A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 Brenton My nearest relations have not regarded me; they have passed me by like a failing brook, or like a wave. BSB BSB: But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow,
16 Brenton They who used to reverence me, now have come against me like snow or congealed ice. BSB BSB: darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow,
17 Brenton When it has melted at the approach of heat, it is not known what it was. BSB BSB: but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat.
18 Brenton Thus I also have been deserted of all; and I am ruined, and become an outcast. BSB BSB: Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish.
19 Brenton Behold the ways of the Thæmanites, ye that mark the paths of the Sabæans. BSB BSB: The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it.
20 Brenton They too that trust in cities and riches shall come to shame. BSB BSB: They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment.
21 Brenton But ye also have come to me without pity; so that beholding my wound ye are afraid. BSB BSB: For now you are of no help; you see terror, and you are afraid.
22 Brenton What? have I made any demand of you? or do I ask for strength from you, BSB BSB: Have I ever said, ‘Give me something; offer me a bribe from your wealth;
23 Brenton to deliver me from enemies, or to rescue me from the hand of the mighty ones? BSB BSB: deliver me from the hand of the enemy; redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’?
24 Brenton Teach ye me, and I will be silent: if in anything I have erred, tell me. BSB BSB: Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.
25 Brenton But as it seems, the words of a true man are vain, because I do not ask strength of you. BSB BSB: How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?
26 Brenton Neither will your reproof cause me to cease my words, for neither will I endure the sound of your speech. BSB BSB: Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair?
27 Brenton Even because ye attack the fatherless, and insult your friend. BSB BSB: You would even cast lots for an orphan and barter away your friend.
28 Brenton But now, having looked upon your countenances, I will not lie. BSB BSB: But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face?
29 Brenton Sit down now, and let there not be unrighteousness; and unite again with the just. BSB BSB: Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.
30 Brenton For there is no injustice in my tongue; and does not my throat meditate understanding? BSB BSB: Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice?
Select verses for actions: Enter goes to them and Escape comes back.