1 THEN Job answered and said,

2 Oh that my grief were weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances against it!

3 For then it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore my words are restrained.

4 For the arrows of the Almighty are in my flesh, and their poison drinks up my spirit; the terrors of God have frightened me.

5 Does the wild ass bray over grass? Or does the ox low over the fodder?

6 Or can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

7 My soul is weary of its troubles, I lament like a drunken man in my affliction.

8 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

9 So that God would hearken to cleanse me, and to spread out his hand and make me whole;

10 And to be again my comfort, so that I may be restored to my strength without measure; for I have not lied against the words of the Holy One.

11 What is my strength, that I should endure? And what is my end, that I should be patient?

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

13 Behold, his help is not in me, and his salvation is far off from me.

14 He who withholds peace from his friend, forsakes the worship of the Almighty.

15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully like dry brooks, like torrents which pass away.

16 Those who were afraid of ice, much snow has fallen upon them.

17 When the sun shines over them, they melt; when it is hot, they melt and disappear from their place.

18 The paths of their ways are winding; they go astray from their course and perish.

19 For they have looked toward the roads of the south, and have waited for the paths of Sheba.

20 They are ashamed in what they had hoped; they came there, and were confounded.

21 You also have become such to me; because before you saw terror, you were afraid.

22 Did I say, Bring me a present? Or from your wealth offer a bribe for my sake?

23 Or rescue me from my oppressor's hands; or deliver me from the hand of the mighty?

24 Teach me, and I will be silent; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25 Why do you reject the words of truth? Who of you are able to rebuke and chastise?

26 Behold you are seeking to find words with which to reprove, and against my soul you are conjuring up words.

27 Behold, you overwhelm the fatherless, and you grieve your friend.

28 Now therefore listen and take heed, and I will speak in your presence, and will not lie.

29 Repent, I pray you, and do not become like ungodly men; repent therefore and be justified.

30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? Or does not my mouth speak truth?