Study Desk

Job

Then Job replied:

"If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales!^(a)

It would surely outweigh the sand^(b) of the seas— no wonder my words have been impetuous.^(c)

The arrows^(d) of the Almighty^(e) are in me,^(f) my spirit drinks^(g) in their poison;^(h) God's terrors⁽ⁱ⁾ are marshaled against me.^(j)

Does a wild donkey^(k) bray^(l) when it has grass, or an ox bellow when it has fodder?^(m)

Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the sap of the mallow^[a]?⁽ⁿ⁾

I refuse to touch it; such food makes me ill.^(o)

"Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for,^(p)

that God would be willing to crush^(q) me, to let loose his hand and cut off my life!^(r)

Then I would still have this consolation^(s)— my joy in unrelenting pain^(t)— that I had not denied the words^(u) of the Holy One.^(v)

"What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient?^(w)

Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze?^(x)

Do I have any power to help myself,^(y) now that success has been driven from me?

"Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend^(z) forsakes the fear of the Almighty.^(aa)

But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams,^(ab) as the streams that overflow

when darkened by thawing ice and swollen with melting snow,^(ac)

but that stop flowing in the dry season, and in the heat^(ad) vanish from their channels.

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

The caravans of Tema^(ae) look for water, the traveling merchants of Sheba^(af) look in hope.

They are distressed, because they had been confident; they arrive there, only to be disappointed.^(ag)

Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid.^(ah)

Have I ever said, ‘Give something on my behalf, pay a ransom^(ai) for me from your wealth,^(aj)

deliver me from the hand of the enemy, rescue me from the clutches of the ruthless'?^(ak)

"Teach me, and I will be quiet;^(al) show me where I have been wrong.^(am)

How painful are honest words!^(an) But what do your arguments prove?

Do you mean to correct what I say, and treat my desperate words as wind?^(ao)

You would even cast lots^(ap) for the fatherless^(aq) and barter away your friend.

"But now be so kind as to look at me. Would I lie to your face?^(ar)

Relent, do not be unjust;^(as) reconsider, for my integrity^(at) is at stake.^[b](au)

Is there any wickedness on my lips?^(av) Can my mouth not discern^(aw) malice?