1 T hen Job answered,

2 “ If only my trials and troubles were weighed!

3 T hey would weigh more than the sand of the seas. My words have been spoken fast and without thought.

4 F or the arrows of the All-powerful are in me. My spirit drinks their poison. The hard things from God are like an army against me.

5 D oes the wild donkey make noise when it has grass? Or does the bull make noise when it has food?

6 C an something that has no taste be eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the white of an egg?

7 M y soul will not touch them. They are like hated food to me.

8 “ If only I might get what I ask for, and that God would give me what I desire!

9 I f only God were willing to crush me, that He would let His hand loose and destroy me!

10 B ut this gives me comfort even though I suffer much pain because I have not turned away from the words of the Holy One.

11 W hat strength have I, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should not give up?

12 D o I have the strength of stones? Is my flesh brass?

13 I have no power to help myself, and a way out is far from me.

14 “ Kindness from a friend should be shown to a man without hope, or he might turn away from the fear of the All-powerful.

15 M y brothers have been like rivers that are not there when needed.

16 T hey are dark because of ice and snow turning into water.

17 W hen they have no water, there is no noise. When it is hot, they are not there.

18 T he people on their camels turn away from them. They go into the waste places and die.

19 T he people and camels of Tema looked. The travelers of Sheba hoped for them.

20 T hey were troubled for they had trusted. They came there and their hope goes.

21 Y es, this is how you have been. You see my trouble and are afraid.

22 H ave I said, ‘Give me something,’ or, ‘Pay something from your riches to help me’?

23 H ave I said, ‘Take me out from under the power of the one who hates me,’ or, ‘Save me from those who make it hard for me’?

24 “ Teach me, and I will be quiet. Show me where I have been wrong.

25 H onest words give pain. But what does your arguing prove?

26 D o you think you can speak against my words, and act as if the words of a man without hope are wind?

27 Y ou would even draw names over those who have no father, and make trades over your friend.

28 N ow be pleased to look at me, and see if I lie to your face.

29 I ask that you change your minds and let no wrong be done. Stop now, for I am still right and good.

30 I s there wrong-doing on my tongue? Can I not taste trouble?