Then Job answered and said,

Oh that my vexation were weighed indeed, And that my ruin were lifted onto the scales together with it!

For then it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; Therefore my words have been rash.

For the arrows of the Almighty are in me, The poison of which my spirit drinks up; The terrors of God are arrayed against me.

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

Is what is savorless eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

My soul refuses to touch them; They are like putrid food to me.

Oh that I might have my request, And that God would grant me what I long for;

That God would be willing to crush me; That He would release His hand and cut me off!

Then there would still be comfort for me; And I would exult, even in writhing pain that does not spare, That I did not deny the words of the Holy One.

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

Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh bronze?

Is there any help for me at all within me, And has wisdom been driven away from me?

To him who is fainting there should be kindness from his friend, Else he will forsake the fear of the Almighty.

My brothers have dealt as treacherously as a desert brook, As the rivulets of the desert brooks that pass away,

Which are turbid because of the ice, And into which the snow hides itself.

When they are scorched, they are completely consumed; When it is hot, they are dried up from their place.

Caravans divert their ways for them; They go up into the waste and perish.

The caravans of Tema look for them; The companies of Sheba long for them.

They are put to shame because they are confident; They go there and are confounded.

So now you have become such; You see a terrible thing and are afraid.

Have I said, Give me something? Or, Pay a bribe for me out of your wealth?

Or, Deliver me from the hand of the adversary? Or, From the hand of the oppressors redeem me?

Teach me, and I will be silent; Cause me to understand how I have erred.

How forceful are upright words! But what does this reproving from you reprove?

Do you think you can reprove words? But the words of a desperate man are for the wind.

You would even cast lots over the orphan And bargain over your friend.

Now then be pleased to look upon me, For surely I will not lie to your face.

Turn now; let there be no injustice. Indeed turn; my righteousness is still here.

Is there any injustice on my tongue? Can my palate not discern calamities?