1 T hen Job answered and said,

2 O h that my vexation were but weighed, And all my calamity laid in the balances!

3 F or now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas: Therefore have my words been rash.

4 F or the arrows of the Almighty are within me, The poison whereof my spirit drinketh up: The terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

5 D oth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? Or loweth the ox over his fodder?

6 C an that which hath no savor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

7 M y soul refuseth to touch them; They are as loathsome food to me.

8 O h that I might have my request; And that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

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

10 A nd be it still my consolation, Yea, let me exult in pain that spareth not, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 W hat is my strength, that I should wait? And what is mine end, that I should be patient?

12 I s my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?

13 I s it not that I have no help in me, And that wisdom is driven quite from me?

14 T o him that is ready to faint kindness should be showed from his friend; Even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

15 M y brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, As the channel of brooks that pass away;

16 W hich are black by reason of the ice, And wherein the snow hideth itself:

17 W hat time they wax warm, they vanish; When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

18 T he caravans that travel by the way of them turn aside; They go up into the waste, and perish.

19 T he caravans of Tema looked, The companies of Sheba waited for them.

20 T hey were put to shame because they had hoped; They came thither, and were confounded.

21 F or now ye are nothing; Ye see a terror, and are afraid.

22 D id I say, Give unto me? Or, Offer a present for me of your substance?

23 O r, Deliver me from the adversary's hand? Or, Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?

24 T each me, and I will hold my peace; And cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25 H ow forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what doth it reprove?

26 D o ye think to reprove words, Seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind?

27 Y ea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless, And make merchandise of your friend.

28 N ow therefore be pleased to look upon me; For surely I shall not lie to your face.

29 R eturn, I pray you, let there be no injustice; Yea, return again, my cause is righteous.

30 I s there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern mischievous things?