1And Job answered and said,

2"Oh, that my grief were but weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!

3For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash.

4For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, my spirit is drinking up their poison. The terrors of God do set themselves against me.

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

6Can that which has no taste be eaten without salt? Or is there taste in the white of an egg?

7My soul refuses to touch them; they are sickening food to me.

8Oh, that I might have my desire, and that God would grant the thing that I long for!

9Even that it would please God to destroy me; that He would loose His hand and cut me off!

10Then I would yet have my comfort; yea, I would rejoice in pain, though He did not spare me; for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11What is my strength, that I should hope? And what is my end, that I should prolong my life?

12Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh bronze?

13Is there no help within me? And is wisdom fully driven away from me?

14To him who is afflicted, pity is due from his friend, lest he forsake the fear of the Almighty.

15My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook; they pass away as the streams of torrents,

16Which are black from ice, in which the snow hides itself.

17When they become waterless, they fall silent; when it is hot, they vanish from their place.

18The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing and perish.

19The troops of Tema looked; the companies of Sheba hoped for them.

20They were ashamed because they had hoped; they came there and were ashamed.

21Surely now you are like them; you see my casting down, and are afraid.

22Did I say, 'Give to me?' or, 'Offer a bribe for me from your wealth;'

23Or, 'Deliver me from the enemy's hand;' or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the mighty'?

24Teach me, and I will be silent; and cause me to understand where I have gone astray.

25Right words are powerful, but what does your arguing prove?

26Do you intend to criticize words, and the speeches of one who is hopeless, that are as wind?

27Yea, you overwhelm the fatherless, and you dig a pit for your friend.

28And now, please look upon me; for if I lie, it is evident to you.

29Relent, I pray you, let there be no iniquity; yea, acknowledge, my righteousness yet stands.

30Is there iniquity in my tongue? Cannot my taste discern perverse things?"