1 T hen Job answered and said:

2 “ Oh, that my grief were fully weighed, And my calamity laid with it on the scales!

3 F or then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea— Therefore my words have been rash.

4 F or the arrows of the Almighty are within me; My spirit drinks in their poison; The terrors of God are arrayed against me.

5 D oes the wild donkey bray when it has grass, Or does the ox low over its fodder?

6 C an flavorless food be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

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

8 “ Oh, that I might have my request, That God would grant me the thing that I long for!

9 T hat it would please God to crush me, That He would loose His hand and cut me off!

10 T hen I would still have comfort; Though in anguish I would exult, He will not spare; For I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

11 “ What strength do I have, that I should hope? And what is my end, that I should prolong my life?

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

13 I s my help not within me? And is success driven from me?

14 “ To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

15 M y brothers have dealt deceitfully like a brook, Like the streams of the brooks that pass away,

16 W hich are dark because of the ice, And into which the snow vanishes.

17 W hen it is warm, they cease to flow; When it is hot, they vanish from their place.

18 T he paths of their way turn aside, They go nowhere and perish.

19 T he caravans of Tema look, The travelers of Sheba hope for them.

20 T hey are disappointed because they were confident; They come there and are confused.

21 F or now you are nothing, You see terror and are afraid.

22 D id I ever say, ‘Bring something to me’? Or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth’?

23 O r, ‘Deliver me from the enemy’s hand’? Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of oppressors’?

24 “ Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25 H ow forceful are right words! But what does your arguing prove?

26 D o you intend to rebuke my words, And the speeches of a desperate one, which are as wind?

27 Y es, you overwhelm the fatherless, And you undermine your friend.

28 N ow therefore, be pleased to look at me; For I would never lie to your face.

29 Y ield now, let there be no injustice! Yes, concede, my righteousness still stands!

30 I s there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern the unsavory?