1 Then Job answered and said:
2 "If only my anguish could be weighed, and all my disaster put with it on the balance!
3 Surely now it would outweigh the sand of the seas; that is why my words have been wild.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, and my spirit drinks in their venom; God's terrors are lined up against me.
5 Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass? Does an ox bellow over its feed?
6 Is bland food eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the juice of mallow?
7 My soul refuses to touch them; they are like food that sickens me.
8 If only my request would be granted, and God would give me what I long for:
9 that God would be willing to crush me, that he would set his hand free and cut me off!
10 This would still be my comfort, and I would jump for joy in unsparing pain, that I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
11 What strength do I have, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should hold out?
12 Is my strength that of stones? Is my flesh made of bronze?
13 Is it not that I have no help within me, and success has been driven far from me?
14 The one who melts in despair should have kindness from his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brothers have proved treacherous as a wadi, like the bed of streams that run dry,
16 that are darkened by ice, in which the snow conceals itself.
17 When the heat strikes them they fade; when it is warm they are gone from their place.
18 Caravans wind off their route; they go up into the empty waste and are lost.
19 The caravans of Tema look for them; the travelers of Sheba count on them.
20 They are put to shame because they had trusted; they arrive there and are confounded.
21 For you have now become like it; you see something dreadful and you are afraid.
22 Have I said, 'Give to me,' or, 'Pay a bribe for me out of your wealth,'
23 or, 'Rescue me from the enemy's hand,' or, 'Ransom me from the grip of tyrants'?
24 Instruct me, and I will keep quiet; show me where I have erred.
25 How sharp are words that are right! But your rebuking, what does it rebuke?
26 Do you think to rebuke words, while the speeches of a desperate man are for the wind?
27 You would even cast lots for an orphan and haggle over your friend.
28 So now, please, look at me; I would not lie to your face.
29 Turn, please; let there be no wrong; turn again, for my righteousness is still at issue here.
30 Is there wrong on my tongue? Can my palate not tell what is ruinous?