1 Then Job answered,
2 "Oh that my anguish were weighed,
and all my calamity laid in the balances!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas,
therefore my words have been rash.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me.
My spirit drinks up their poison.
The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.
5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass?
Or does the ox low over his fodder?
6 Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt?
Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 My soul refuses to touch them.
They are as loathsome food to me.
8 "Oh that I might have my request,
that God would grant the thing that I long for,
9 even that it would please God to crush me;
that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10 Let it still be my consolation,
yes, let me exult in pain that doesn’t spare,
that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 What is my strength, that I should wait?
What is my end, that I should be patient?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones?
Or is my flesh of bronze?
13 Isn’t it that I have no help in me,
that wisdom is driven away from me?
14 "To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend;
even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook,
as the channel of brooks that pass away;
16 which are black by reason of the ice,
in which the snow hides itself.
17 In the dry season, they vanish.
When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 The caravans that travel beside them turn away.
They go up into the waste, and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema looked.
The companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 They were distressed because they were confident.
They came there, and were confounded.
21 For now you are nothing.
You see a terror, and are afraid.
22 Did I ever say, ‘Give to me?’
or, ‘Offer a present for me from your substance?’
23 or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand?’
or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?’
24 "Teach me, and I will hold my peace.
Cause me to understand my error.
25 How forcible are words of uprightness!
But your reproof, what does it reprove?
26 Do you intend to reprove words,
since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
27 Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless,
and make merchandise of your friend.
28 Now therefore be pleased to look at me,
for surely I will not lie to your face.
29 Please return.
Let there be no injustice.
Yes, return again.
My cause is righteous.
30 Is there injustice on my tongue?
Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?
1 Maar Job het geantwoord en gesê:
2 Ag, was my verdriet maar goed geweeg en my ongeluk meteens in 'n skaal opgehef!
3 Ja, dan sou dit swaarder wees as die sand van die see; daarom is my woorde onbedagsaam.
4 Want die pyle van die Almagtige is in my, waarvan my gees die gif indrink; die verskrikkinge van God stel hulle teen my op.
5 Balk die wilde-esel by die grasspruitjies? Of bulk 'n bees by sy voer?
6 Word iets wat laf is, sonder sout geëet? Of is daar smaak in die wit van 'n eier?
7 My siel weier om dit aan te raak; dit is net soos my walglike spys.
8 Ag, mag my bede maar uitkom, en mag God my verwagting maar gee!
9 En mag dit God behaag om my te verpletter, sy hand uit te strek en my af te sny!
10 Dan sou ek nog troos hê; ja, ek sou van vreugde opspring in onbarmhartige smart; want die woorde van die Heilige het ek nie verloën nie.
11 Wat is my krag, dat ek sou kan wag; en wat my uiteinde, dat ek geduldig sou wees?
12 Is my krag 'n krag van klip of my vlees van koper?
13 Is ek dan nie hulpeloos in myself nie, en is redding nie vir my weggedrywe nie?
14 Vir die moedelose moet daar liefde wees van die kant van sy vriend, ook al laat hy die vrees vir die Almagtige vaar.
15 My broers het troueloos gehandel soos 'n spruit, soos die bedding van spruite wat wegloop,
16 wat troebel is vanweë die ys, waarin die sneeu hom verberg --
17 in die tyd van gloeihitte verdwyn hulle; as dit warm word, droog hulle op uit hul plek.
18 Die paaie van hulle loop kronkelend weg en gaan heen in die wildernis en vergaan.
19 Die karavane van Tema het uitgekyk, die reisigers van Skeba het daarop gewag.
20 Hulle het beskaamd gestaan in hul vertroue; hulle het daarby gekom en was teleurgesteld.
21 So het julle dan vir my niks geword nie: julle sien verskrikking, en julle het gevrees.
22 Het ek dan gesê: Gee my iets? Of: Bring vir my 'n omkoopgeskenk uit julle vermoë?
23 Of: Red my uit die hand van die teëstander? Of: Verlos my uit die hand van tiranne?
24 Onderrig my, en ,k sal swyg; en maak my duidelik waarin ek my misgaan het.
25 Hoe kragtig is opregte woorde, maar wat rig 'n bestraffing uit, van julle afkomstig?
26 Dink julle om woorde te bestraf? Maar die woorde van 'n wanhopige is vir die wind!
27 Ja, julle sou 'n wees uitloot en julle vriend verhandel.
28 Maar nou, kyk my asseblief aan: ek sal julle waarlik nie in jul gesig belieg nie.
29 Keer tog terug -- laat daar geen onreg wees nie! Ja, keer terug -- nog is my geregtigheid daar.
30 Is daar onreg op my tong? Of kan my verhemelte nie die onheile onderskei nie?