Job Replies: My Complaint Is Just 1 UEB Then Job answered and said, BSB BSB: Then Job replied:
2 UEB "Oh, if only my anguish were weighed; if only all my calamity were laid in the balance! BSB BSB: “If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales.
3 UEB For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas. That is why my words were reckless. BSB BSB: For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas—no wonder my words have been rash.
4 UEB For the arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks up the poison; the terrors of God have arranged themselves in array against 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 UEB Does the wild donkey bray in despair when he has grass? Or does the ox low in hunger when it has fodder? BSB BSB: Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder?
6 UEB Can that which has no taste be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? BSB BSB: Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg?
7 UEB I refuse to touch them; they are like disgusting food to me. BSB BSB: My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me.
8 UEB Oh, that I might have my request; oh, that God would grant me the thing I long for: BSB BSB: If only my request were granted and God would fulfill my hope:
9 UEB that it would please God to crush me once, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off from this life! BSB BSB: that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off!
10 UEB May this still be my consolation— even if I exult in pain that does not lessen: that I have not denied the words of the Holy One. BSB BSB: It still brings me comfort, and joy through unrelenting pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 UEB What is my strength, that I should try to wait? What is my end, that I should prolong my life? BSB BSB: What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?
12 UEB Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh made of bronze? BSB BSB: Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?
13 UEB Is it not true that I have no help in myself, and that wisdom has been driven out of me? BSB BSB: Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me?
14 UEB To the person who is about to faint, faithfulness should be shown by his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty. BSB BSB: A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 UEB But my brothers have been as faithful to me as a desert streambed, as channels of water that pass away to nothing, BSB BSB: But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow,
16 UEB which are darkened because of ice over them, and because of the snow that hides itself in them. BSB BSB: darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow,
17 UEB When they thaw out, they vanish; when it is hot, they melt out of their place. BSB BSB: but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat.
18 UEB The caravans that travel by their way turn aside for water; they wander into barren land and then perish. BSB BSB: Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish.
19 UEB Caravans from Tema looked there, while companies of Sheba hoped in them. BSB BSB: The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it.
20 UEB They were disappointed because they had been confident of finding water. They went there, but they were deceived. BSB BSB: They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment.
21 UEB For now you friends are nothing to me; you see my dreadful situation and are afraid. BSB BSB: For now you are of no help; you see terror, and you are afraid.
22 UEB Did I say to you, 'Give something to me?' Or, 'Offer me a gift from your wealth?' BSB BSB: Have I ever said, ‘Give me something; offer me a bribe from your wealth;
23 UEB Or, 'Save me from my adversary's hand?' Or, 'Ransom me from the hand of my oppressors?' BSB BSB: deliver me from the hand of the enemy; redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’?
24 UEB Teach me, and I will hold my peace; make me understand where I have been wrong. BSB BSB: Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.
25 UEB How painful are truthful words! But your arguments, how do they actually rebuke me? BSB BSB: How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?
26 UEB Do you plan to ignore my words, treating the words of a desperate man like the wind? BSB BSB: Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair?
27 UEB Indeed, you cast lots for a fatherless child, and haggle over your friend like merchandise. BSB BSB: You would even cast lots for an orphan and barter away your friend.
28 UEB Now, therefore, please look at me, for surely I would not lie to your face. BSB BSB: But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face?
29 UEB Relent, I beg you; let there be no injustice with you; Indeed, relent, for my cause is just. BSB BSB: Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.
30 UEB Is there evil on my tongue? Cannot my mouth detect malicious things? 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.