1But Job answered and said, 2Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!6.2 laid: Heb. lifted up 3For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.6.3 my words…: that is, I want words to express my grief 4For 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. 5Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?6.5 when he…: Heb. at grass? 6Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg? 7The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
8Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!6.8 the thing…: Heb. my expectation 9Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off! 10Then 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. 11What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life? 12Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?6.12 of brass: Heb. brasen? 13Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
14To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.6.14 is afflicted: Heb. melteth 15My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away; 16Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid: 17What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.6.17 vanish: Heb. are cut off6.17 when…: Heb. in the heat thereof6.17 consumed: Heb. extinguished 18The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish. 19The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them. 20They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed. 21For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.6.21 ye are…: or, ye are like to them: Heb. to it6.21 nothing: Heb. not
22Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance? 23Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty? 24Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. 25How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove? 26Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind? 27Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.6.27 ye overwhelm: Heb. ye cause to fall upon 28Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.6.28 evident…: Heb. before your face 29Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.6.29 in it: that is, in this matter 30Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?6.30 my taste: Heb. my palate
约伯自述无辜
1约伯回答说：
2“要是能称量我的苦难，
把我的灾殃放在秤上，
3那将比海沙还重；
所以我言语鲁莽。
4因为全能者的箭射中我，
箭毒侵蚀我的灵，
祂使恐惧列队袭来。
5野驴有草岂会叫唤？
牛有饲料岂会哞叫？
6淡食无盐岂可下咽？
蛋白有什么滋味呢？
7我碰都不想碰，
它们令我恶心。
8唯愿我的祈求蒙应允，
愿上帝成全我的冀望，
9愿祂压碎我，
伸手毁灭我。
10这样，我还能感到欣慰，
在残酷的痛苦中雀跃，
因我没有违背圣者之言。
11我有何力量可以支撑下去？
有何前景让我忍耐下去？
12我的力量岂能坚如石？
我岂是铜造之躯？
13我毫无自救之力，
已到穷途末路。
14“即使绝望者抛弃对上帝的敬畏，
也应该得到朋友的恩待。
15我的弟兄难以信赖，如同季节河，
又像变化无常的河道——
16结冰后颜色发黑，
融雪后水流涨溢；
17水流在干季时消失，
河床在烈日下干涸。
18商队偏离原路来找水喝，
结果在荒漠中死去。
19提玛的商队来找水喝，
示巴的旅客指望解渴，
20结果希望化为泡影，
到了那里大失所望。
21同样，你们帮不了我，
你们看见灾祸便害怕。
22我何尝对你们说过，
‘请你们供应我，
把你们的财产给我一份，
23从仇敌手中拯救我，
从残暴之徒手中救赎我’？
24“请多赐教，我会闭口不言；
请指出我错在何处。
25忠言何等逆耳！
但你们的指责有何根据？
26你们既视绝望者的话如风，
还要来纠正吗？
27你们甚至抽签得孤儿，
把朋友当货物卖掉。
28恳请你们看着我，
我在你们面前撒过谎吗？
29请以仁慈为怀，公正一点；
请以仁慈为怀，因我诚实无过。
30我岂会说诡诈之言？
我岂会是非不辨？
