Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
New Revised Standard NRS
1 But Job answered, and said:
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Then Job answered:
2 O that my sins, whereby I have deserved wrath, and the calamity that I suffer, were weighed in a balance.
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"O that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
3 As the sand of the sea, this would appear heavier: therefore, my words are full of sorrow:
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For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash.
4 For the arrows of the Lord are in me, the rage whereof drinketh up my spirit, and the terrors of the Lord war against me.
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For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
5 Will the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or will the ox low when he standeth before a full manger?
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Does the wild ass bray over its grass, or the ox low over its fodder?
6 Or can an unsavoury thing be eaten, that is not seasoned with salt? or can a man taste that which, when tasted, bringeth death?
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Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any flavor in the juice of mallows?
7 The things which before my soul would not touch, now, through anguish, are my meats.
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My appetite refuses to touch them; they are like food that is loathsome to me.
8 Who will grant that my request may come: and that God may give me what I look for?
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"O that I might have my request, and that God would grant my desire;
9 And that he that hath begun may destroy me, that he may let loose his hand, and cut me off?
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that it would please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!
10 And that this may be my comfort, that afflicting me with sorrow, he spare not, nor I contradict the words of the Holy one.
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This would be my consolation; I would even exult in unrelenting pain; for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 For what is my strength, that I can hold out? or what is my end, that I should keep patience?
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What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient?
12 My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh of brass.
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Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?
13 Behold there is no help for me in myself, and my familiar friends also are departed from me.
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In truth I have no help in me, and any resource is driven from me.
14 He that taketh away mercy from his friend, forsaketh the fear of the Lord.
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"Those who withhold kindness from a friend forsake the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brethren have passed by me, as the torrent that passeth swiftly in the valleys.
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My companions are treacherous like a torrent-bed, like freshets that pass away,
16 They that fear the hoary frost, the snow shall fall upon them.
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that run dark with ice, turbid with melting snow.
17 At the time when they shall be scattered they shall perish: and after it groweth hot, they shall be melted out of their place.
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In time of heat they disappear; when it is hot, they vanish from their place.
18 The paths of their steps are entangled: they shall walk in vain, and shall perish.
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The caravans turn aside from their course; they go up into the waste, and perish.
19 Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.
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The caravans of Tema look, the travelers of Sheba hope.
20 They arc confounded, because I have hoped: they are come also even unto me, and are covered with shame.
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They are disappointed because they were confident; they come there and are confounded.
21 Now you are come: and now, seeing my affliction, you are afraid.
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Such you have now become to me; you see my calamity, and are afraid.
22 Did I say: Bring to me, and give me of your substance?
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Have I said, "Make me a gift'? Or, "From your wealth offer a bribe for me'?
23 Or deliver me from the hand of the enemy, and rescue me out of the hand of the mighty?
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Or, "Save me from an opponent's hand'? Or, "Ransom me from the hand of oppressors'?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace: and if I have been ignorant of any thing, instruct me.
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"Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone wrong.
25 Why have you detracted the words of truth, whereas there is none of you that can reprove me?
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How forceful are honest words! But your reproof, what does it reprove?
26 You dress up speeches only to rebuke, and you utter words to the wind.
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Do you think that you can reprove words, as if the speech of the desperate were wind?
27 You rush in upon the fatherless, and you endeavour to overthrow your friend.
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You would even cast lots over the orphan, and bargain over your friend.
28 However, finish what you have begun: give ear and see whether I lie.
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"But now, be pleased to look at me; for I will not lie to your face.
29 Answer, I beseech you, without contention: and speaking that which is just, judge ye.
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Turn, I pray, let no wrong be done. Turn now, my vindication is at stake.
30 And you shall not find iniquity in my tongue, neither shall folly sound in my mouth.
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Is there any wrong on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern calamity?
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.