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¹ And Job made answer and said,² If only my passion might be measured, and put into the scales against my trouble!³ For then its weight would be more than the sand of the seas: because of this my words have been uncontrolled.⁴ For the arrows of the Ruler of all are present with me, and their poison goes deep into my spirit: his army of fears is put in order against me.⁵ Does the ass of the fields give out his voice when he has grass? or does the ox make sounds over his food?⁶ Will a man take food which has no taste without salt? or is there any taste in the soft substance of purslain?⁷ My soul has no desire for such things, they are as disease in my food.

⁸ If only I might have an answer to my prayer, and God would give me my desire!⁹ If only he would be pleased to put an end to me; and would let loose his hand, so that I might be cut off!¹⁰ So I would still have comfort, and I would have joy in the pains of death, for I have not been false to the words of the Holy One.¹¹ Have I strength to go on waiting, or have I any end to be looking forward to?¹² Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh brass?¹³ I have no help in myself, and wisdom is completely gone from me.

¹⁴ He whose heart is shut against his friend has given up the fear of the Ruler of all.¹⁵ My friends have been false like a stream, like streams in the valleys which come to an end:¹⁶ Which are dark because of the ice, and the snow falling into them;¹⁷ Under the burning sun they are cut off, and come to nothing because of the heat.¹⁸ The camel-trains go out of their way; they go up into the waste and come to destruction.¹⁹ The camel-trains of Tema were searching with care, the bands of Sheba were waiting for them:²⁰ They were put to shame because of their hope; they came and their hope was gone.²¹ So have you now become to me; you see my sad condition and are in fear.

²² Did I say, Give me something? or, Make a payment for me out of your wealth?²³ Or, Get me out of the power of my hater? or, Give money so that I may be free from the power of the cruel ones?²⁴ Give me teaching and I will be quiet; and make me see my error.²⁵ How pleasing are upright words! but what force is there in your arguments?²⁶ My words may seem wrong to you, but the words of him who has no hope are for the wind.²⁷ Truly, you are such as would give up the child of a dead man to his creditors, and would make a profit out of your friend.²⁸ Now then, let your eyes be turned to me, for truly I will not say what is false to your face.²⁹ Let your minds be changed, and do not have an evil opinion of me; yes, be changed, for my righteousness is still in me.³⁰ Is there evil in my tongue? is not the cause of my trouble clear to me?