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¹ But Job answered, and said:² O that my sins, whereby I have deserved wrath, and the calamity that I suffer, were weighed in a balance.³ As the sand of the sea, this would appear heavier: therefore, my words are full of sorrow:⁴ For the arrows of the Lord are in me, the rage whereof drinketh up my spirit, and the terrors of the Lord war against me.⁵ Will the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or will the ox low when he standeth before a full manger?⁶ Or can an unsavoury thing be eaten, that is not seasoned with salt? or can a man taste that which, when tasted, bringeth death?⁷ The things which before my soul would not touch, now, through anguish, are my meats.

⁸ Who will grant that my request may come: and that God may give me what I look for?⁹ And that he that hath begun may destroy me, that he may let loose his hand, and cut me off?¹⁰ And that this may be my comfort, that afflicting me with sorrow, he spare not, nor I contradict the words of the Holy one.¹¹ For what is my strength, that I can hold out? or what is my end, that I should keep patience?¹² My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh of brass.¹³ Behold there is no help for me in myself, and my familiar friends also are departed from me.

¹⁴ He that taketh away mercy from his friend, forsaketh the fear of the Lord.¹⁵ My brethren have passed by me, as the torrent that passeth swiftly in the valleys.¹⁶ They that fear the hoary frost, the snow shall fall upon them.¹⁷ At the time when they shall be scattered they shall perish: and after it groweth hot, they shall be melted out of their place.¹⁸ The paths of their steps are entangled: they shall walk in vain, and shall perish.¹⁹ Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.²⁰ They arc confounded, because I have hoped: they are come also even unto me, and are covered with shame.²¹ Now you are come: and now, seeing my affliction, you are afraid.

²² Did I say: Bring to me, and give me of your substance?²³ Or deliver me from the hand of the enemy, and rescue me out of the hand of the mighty?²⁴ Teach me, and I will hold my peace: and if I have been ignorant of any thing, instruct me.²⁵ Why have you detracted the words of truth, whereas there is none of you that can reprove me?²⁶ You dress up speeches only to rebuke, and you utter words to the wind.²⁷ You rush in upon the fatherless, and you endeavour to overthrow your friend.²⁸ However, finish what you have begun: give ear and see whether I lie.²⁹ Answer, I beseech you, without contention: and speaking that which is just, judge ye.³⁰ And you shall not find iniquity in my tongue, neither shall folly sound in my mouth.