1 T hen 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 W hich 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 O r, ‘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?