1 But Job answered and said,
2 Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity
laid in the balances together!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea:
therefore my words are swallowed up.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within
me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set
themselves in array against me.
5 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox
over his fodder?
6 Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is
there any taste
in the white of an egg?
7 The things that my soul refused to touch are as my
sorrowful meat.
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 destroy me; that he would
let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10 Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself
in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy
One.
11 What is my strength, that I should hope? and
what is mine
end, that I should prolong my life?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my
flesh of brass?
13 Is not my help in me? and is wisdom
driven quite from me?
14 To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from
his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as
the stream of brooks they pass away;
16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein
the snow is hid:
17 What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they
are consumed out of their place.
18 The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing,
and perish.
19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for
them.
20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came
thither, and were ashamed.
21 For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting
down, and are afraid.
22 Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your
substance?
23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the
hand of the mighty?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to
understand wherein I have erred.
25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing
reprove?
26 Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that
is desperate, which are as wind?
27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for
your friend.
28 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident
unto you if I lie.
29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return
again, my righteousness is in it.
30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern
perverse things?
