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¹ But Job answered and said, ² Oh that one would indeed weigh the wrath that is upon me, and take up my griefs in a balance together! ³ And verily they would be heavier than the sand by the seashore: but, as it seems, my words are vain. ⁴ For the arrows of the Lord are in my body, whose violence drinks up my blood: whenever I am going to speak, they pierce me. ⁵ What then? will the wild ass bray for nothing, if he is not seeking food? or again, will the ox low at the manger, when he has a fodder? ⁶ Shall bread be eaten without salt? or again, is there taste in empty words? ⁷ For my wrath cannot cease; for I perceive my food as the smell of a lion to be loathsome.

⁸ For oh that he would grant my desire, and my petition might come, and the Lord would grant my hope! ⁹ Let the Lord begin and wound me, but let him not utterly destroy me. ¹⁰ Let the grave be my city, upon the walls of which I have leaped: I will not shrink from it; for I have not denied the holy words of my God. ¹¹ For what is my strength, that I continue? what is my time, that my soul endures? ¹² Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass? ¹³ Or have I not trusted in him? but help is far from me.

¹⁴ Mercy has rejected me; and the visitation of the Lord has disregarded me. ¹⁵ My nearest relations have not regarded me; they have passed me by like a failing brook, or like a wave. ¹⁶ They who used to reverence me, now have come against me like snow or congealed ice. ¹⁷ When it has melted at the approach of heat, it is not known what it was. ¹⁸ Thus I also have been deserted of all; and I am ruined, and become an outcast. ¹⁹ Behold the ways of the Thaemanites, ye that mark the paths of the Sabaeans. ²⁰ They too that trust in cities and riches shall come to shame. ²¹ But ye also have come to me without pity; so that beholding my wound ye are afraid.

²² What? have I made any demand of you? or do I ask for strength from you, ²³ to deliver me from enemies, or to rescue me from the hand of the mighty ones? ²⁴ Teach ye me, and I will be silent: if in anything I have erred, tell me. ²⁵ But as it seems, the words of a true man are vain, because I do not ask strength of you. ²⁶ Neither will your reproof cause me to cease my words, for neither will I endure the sound of your speech. ²⁷ Even because ye attack the fatherless, and insult your friend. ²⁸ But now, having looked upon your countenances, I will not lie. ²⁹ Sit down now, and let there not be unrighteousness; and unite again with the just. ³⁰ For there is no injustice in my tongue; and does not my throat meditate understanding?