[1] Then Job answered,
[2] “Oh that my grief were actually weighed And laid in the balances together with my calamity!
[3] For then it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; Therefore my words have been rash.
[4] For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, Their poison my spirit drinks; The terrors of God are arrayed against me.
[5] Does the wild donkey bray over his grass, Or does the ox low over his fodder?
[6] Can something tasteless be eaten without salt, Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
[7] My soul refuses to touch them; They are like loathsome food to me.
[8] Oh that my request might come to pass, And that God would grant my longing!
[9] Would that God were willing to crush me, That He would loose His hand and cut me off!
[10] But it is still my consolation, And I rejoice in unsparing pain, 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 endure?
[12] Is my strength the strength of stones, Or is my flesh bronze?
[13] Is it that my help is not within me, And that deliverance is driven from me?
[14] For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; So that he does not forsake the fear of the Almighty.
[15] My brothers have acted deceitfully like a wadi, Like the torrents of wadis which vanish,
[16] Which are turbid because of ice And into which the snow melts.
[17] When they become waterless, they are silent, When it is hot, they vanish from their place.
[18] The paths of their course wind along, They go up into nothing and perish.
[19] The caravans of Tema looked, The travelers of Sheba hoped for them.
[20] They were disappointed for they had trusted, They came there and were confounded.
[21] Indeed, you have now become such, You see a terror and are afraid.
[22] Have I said, ‘Give me something,’ Or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth,’
[23] Or, ‘Deliver me from the hand of the adversary,’ Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the tyrants’?
[24] Teach me, and I will be silent; And show me how I have erred.
[25] How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?
[26] Do you intend to reprove my words, When the words of one in despair belong to the wind?
[27] You would even cast lots for the orphans And barter over your friend.
[28] Now please look at me, And see if I lie to your face.
[29] Desist now, let there be no injustice; Even desist, my righteousness is yet in it.
[30] Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my palate discern calamities?”