But Job answered and said,

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

For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.

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.

Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?

Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.

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

Even that it would please God to destroy 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.

11 What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?

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?

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Job Replies: My Complaint Is Just

Then Job answered:

“O that my vexation were weighed
    and all my calamity laid in the balances!(A)
For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea;
    therefore my words have been rash.(B)
For the arrows of the Almighty[a] are in me;
    my spirit drinks their poison;
    the terrors of God are arrayed against me.(C)
Does the wild ass bray over its grass
    or the ox low over its fodder?
Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt,
    or is there any flavor in the juice of mallows?[b]
My appetite refuses to touch them;
    they are like food that is loathsome to me.[c]

“O that I might have my request
    and that God would grant my desire,(D)
that it would please God to crush me,
    that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!(E)
10 This would be my consolation;
    I would even exult[d] in unrelenting pain,
    for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.(F)
11 What is my strength, that I should wait?
    And what is my end, that I should be patient?(G)
12 Is my strength the strength of stones,
    or is my flesh bronze?
13 In truth I have no help in me,
    and any resource is driven from me.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. 6.4 Traditional rendering of Heb Shaddai
  2. 6.6 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  3. 6.7 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  4. 6.10 Meaning of Heb uncertain