1 Then Job answered and said,
2 Oh that my vexation were but weighed, And all my calamity laid in the balances!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas: Therefore my words have been rash.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are inside me, The poison of which my spirit drinks up: The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.
5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?
6 Can that which has no savor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 My soul refuses to touch [them]; They are as loathsome food to me.
8 Oh that I might have my request; And that God would grant [me] the thing that I long for!
9 Even that it would please God to crush me; That he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10 And be it still my consolation, Yes, let me exult in pain that does not spare, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of bronze?
13 Is it not that I have no help in me, And 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 My brothers have betrayed as a wadi, As a channel of wadis, they pass away;
16 Which are black by reason of the ice, [And] in which the snow hides itself:
17 What time they wax warm, they vanish; When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 The caravans [that travel] by the way of them turn aside; They go up into the waste, and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema looked, The companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 They were put to shame because they had hoped; They came there, and were confounded.
21 For now you{+} are nothing; You{+} see a terror, and are afraid.
22 Did I say, Give to me? Or, Offer a present for me of your{+} substance?
23 Or, 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; And cause me to understand in what I have erred.
25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But your{+} reproof, what does it reprove?
26 Do you{+} think to reprove words, Seeing that the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
27 Yes, you{+} would cast [lots] on the fatherless, And make merchandise of your{+} companion.
28 Now therefore be pleased to look at me; For surely I will not lie to your{+} face.
29 Return, I pray you{+}, let there be no injustice; Yes, return again, my cause is righteous.
30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Can't my taste discern mischievous things?