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 within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of Elohim 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 taste in the white of an egg?

7. The things my soul refused to touch as my sorrowful meat.

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

9. Even that it would please Elohim 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 my strength, that I should hope? and what mine end, that I should prolong my life?

12. my strength the strength of stones? or my flesh of brass?

13. not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?

14. To him that is afflicted pity from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

15. My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the stream of brooks they pass away;

16. Which are blackish by reason of the ice, 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 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, as wind?

27. Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig for your friend.

28. Now therefore be content, look upon me; for evident unto you if I lie.

29. Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness in it.

30. Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?