Berean Study Bible

English Standard Version

1Then Job replied:

1Then Job answered and said:

2“If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales.

2“Oh that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!

3For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas—no wonder my words have been rash.

3For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash.

4For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

4For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

5Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder?

5Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass, or the ox low over his fodder?

6Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg?

6Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any taste in the juice of the mallow?

7My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me.

7My appetite refuses to touch them; they are as food that is loathsome to me.

8If only my request were granted and God would fulfill my hope:

8“Oh that I might have my request, and that God would fulfill my hope,

9that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off!

9that it would please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!

10It still brings me comfort, and joy through unrelenting pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

10This would be my comfort; I would even exult in pain unsparing, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

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

12Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?

12Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?

13Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me?

13Have I any help in me, when resource is driven from me?

14A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

14“He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

15But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow,

15My brothers are treacherous as a torrent-bed, as torrential streams that pass away,

16darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow,

16which are dark with ice, and where the snow hides itself.

17but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat.

17When they melt, they disappear; when it is hot, they vanish from their place.

18Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish.

18The caravans turn aside from their course; they go up into the waste and perish.

19The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it.

19The caravans of Tema look, the travelers of Sheba hope.

20They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment.

20They are ashamed because they were confident; they come there and are disappointed.

21For now you are of no help; you see terror, and you are afraid.

21For you have now become nothing; you see my calamity and are afraid.

22Have I ever said, ‘Give me something; offer me a bribe from your wealth;

22Have I said, ‘Make me a gift’? Or, ‘From your wealth offer a bribe for me’?

23deliver me from the hand of the enemy; redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’?

23Or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’? Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the ruthless’?

24Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.

24“Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray.

25How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?

25How forceful are upright words! But what does reproof from you reprove?

26Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair?

26Do you think that you can reprove words, when the speech of a despairing man is wind?

27You would even cast lots for an orphan and barter away your friend.

27You would even cast lots over the fatherless, and bargain over your friend.

28But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face?

28“But now, be pleased to look at me, for I will not lie to your face.

29Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.

29Please turn; let no injustice be done. Turn now; my vindication is at stake.

30Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice?

30Is there any injustice on my tongue? Cannot my palate discern the cause of calamity?

The Berean Bible (Berean Study Bible (BSB) © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.