1 A nd Job answered and said,

2 O h that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!

3 F or now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore my words are vehement.

4 F or the arrows of the Almighty are within me, their poison drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of +God are arrayed against me.

5 D oth the wild ass bray by the grass? loweth an ox over his fodder?

6 S hall that which is insipid be eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the white of an egg?

7 W hat my soul refuseth to touch, that is as my loathsome food.

8 O h that I might have my request, and that +God would grant my desire!

9 A nd that it would please +God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!

10 T hen should I yet have comfort; and in the pain which spareth not I would rejoice that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 W hat is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should have patience?

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

13 I s it not that there is no help in me, and soundness is driven away from me?

14 F or him that is fainting kindness from his friend; or he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

15 M y brethren have dealt deceitfully as a stream, as the channel of streams which pass away,

16 W hich are turbid by reason of the ice, in which the snow hideth itself:

17 A t the time they diminish, they are dried up; when heat affecteth them, they vanish from their place:

18 T hey wind about in the paths of their course, they go off into the waste and perish.

19 T he caravans of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba counted on them:

20 T hey are ashamed at their hope; they come thither, and are confounded.

21 S o now ye are nothing; ye see a terrible object and are afraid.

22 D id I say, Bring unto me, and make me a present from your substance?

23 O r, rescue me from the hand of the oppressor, and redeem me from the hand of the violent?

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

25 H ow forcible are right words! but what doth your upbraiding reprove?

26 D o ye imagine to reprove words? The speeches of one that is desperate are indeed for the wind.

27 Y ea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and dig for your friend.

28 N ow therefore if ye will, look upon me; and it shall be to your face if I lie.

29 R eturn, I pray you, let there be no wrong; yea, return again, my righteousness shall be in it.

30 I s there wrong in my tongue? cannot my taste discern mischievous things?