1. But Job answered and said,
2. Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances altogether!
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 of which my spirit drinks up: the terrors of God set themselves in formation against me.
5. Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? or does the ox low over his fodder?
6. Can that which is tasteless 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 food.
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 would I yet have comfort; yea, I would strengthen myself in sorrow: let him not spare me; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
11. What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is my end, that I should prolong my life?
12. Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
13. Is my help not in me? and is wisdom driven completely from me?
14. To him that is afflicted pity should be shown from his friend; but he forsakes 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 dark because of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
17. When they grow 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 perplexed because they had hoped; they came there, and were disappointed.
21. For now you are nothing; you see my casting down, and are afraid.
22. Did I say, Bring to me? or, Give a reward for me from your possessions?
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 forceful are right words! but what does your arguing reprove?
26. Do you imagine to reprove my words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
27. Yea, you overwhelm the fatherless, and you dig a pit for your friend.
28. Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident to you if I lie.
29. Turn back, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, turn back again, my righteousness is in it.
30. Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
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