1 T hen Job answered,

2 “ Oh that my anguish were 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. My spirit drinks up their poison. The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.

5 D oes the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?

6 C an that which has no flavor 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 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 B e it still my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn’t spare, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 W hat is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?

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

13 I sn’t it that I have no help in me, That wisdom is driven quite from me?

14 “ To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

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

16 W hich are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.

17 I n the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

18 T he caravans that travel beside 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 distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.

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

22 D id I say, ‘Give to me?’ or, ‘Offer a present for me from your substance?’

23 o r, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand?’ or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?’

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

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

26 D o you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?

27 Y es, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.

28 N ow therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I shall not lie to your face.

29 P lease return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.

30 I s there injustice on my tongue? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?