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¹ Then Job answered:² "O that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!³ For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash.⁴ For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.⁵ Does the wild ass bray when he has grass, or the ox low over his fodder?⁶ Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any taste in the slime of the purslane?⁷ My appetite refuses to touch them; they are as food that is loathsome to me.

⁸ "O that I might have my request, and that God would grant my desire;⁹ that it would please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!¹⁰ This would be my consolation; I would even exult in pain unsparing; for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.¹¹ What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient?¹² Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?¹³ In truth I have no help in me, and any resource is driven from me.

¹⁴ "He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.¹⁵ My brethren are treacherous as a torrent-bed, as freshets that pass away,¹⁶ which are dark with ice, and where the snow hides itself.¹⁷ In time of heat they disappear; when it is hot, they vanish from their place.¹⁸ The caravans turn aside from their course; they go up into the waste, and perish.¹⁹ The caravans of Tema look, the travelers of Sheba hope.²⁰ They are disappointed because they were confident; they come thither and are confounded.²¹ Such you have now become to me; you see my calamity, and are afraid.

²² Have I said, 'Make me a gift'? Or, 'From your wealth offer a bribe for me'?²³ Or, 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand'? Or, 'Ransom me from the hand of oppressors'?²⁴ "Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have erred.²⁵ How forceful are honest words! But what does reproof from you reprove?²⁶ Do you think that you can reprove words, when the speech of a despairing man is wind?²⁷ You would even cast lots over the fatherless, and bargain over your friend.²⁸ "But now, be pleased to look at me; for I will not lie to your face.²⁹ Turn, I pray, let no wrong be done. Turn now, my vindication is at stake.³⁰ Is there any wrong on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern calamity?