^{1 Ref} Then Job answered and said,

^{2 Ref} Oh that my vexation were but weighed, And all my calamity laid in the balances!

^{3 Ref} For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas: Therefore have my words been rash.

^{4 Ref} For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, The poison whereof my spirit drinketh up: The terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

^{5 Ref} Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? Or loweth the ox over his fodder?

^{6 Ref} Can that which hath no savor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

^{7 Ref} My soul refuseth to touch `them'; They are as loathsome food to me.

^{8 Ref} Oh that I might have my request; And that God would grant `me' the thing that I long for!

^{9 Ref} Even that it would please God to crush me; That he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

^{10 Ref} And be it still my consolation, Yea, let me exult in pain that spareth not, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

^{11 Ref} What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is mine end, that I should be patient?

^{12 Ref} Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?

^{13 Ref} Is it not that I have no help in me, And that wisdom is driven quite from me?

^{14 Ref} To him that is ready to faint kindness `should be showed' from his friend; Even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

^{15 Ref} My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, As the channel of brooks that pass away;

¹⁶ Which are black by reason of the ice, `And' wherein the snow hideth itself:

^{17 Ref} What time they wax warm, they vanish; When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

¹⁸ The caravans `that travel' by the way of them turn aside; They go up into the waste, and perish.

^{19 Ref} The caravans of Tema looked, The companies of Sheba waited for them.

^{20 Ref} They were put to shame because they had hoped; They came thither, and were confounded.

^{21 Ref} For now ye are nothing; Ye see a terror, and are afraid.

^{22 Ref} Did I say, Give unto me? Or, Offer a present for me of your substance?

^{23 Ref} Or, Deliver me from the adversary's hand? Or, Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?

^{24 Ref} Teach me, and I will hold my peace; And cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

^{25 Ref} How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what doth it reprove?

^{26 Ref} Do ye think to reprove words, Seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind?

^{27 Ref} Yea, ye would cast `lots' upon the fatherless, And make merchandise of your friend.

^{28 Ref} Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; For surely I shall not lie to your face.

^{29 Ref} Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; Yea, return again, my cause is righteous.

^{30 Ref} Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern mischievous things?

^{1 Ref} But Job answered and said,

^{2 Ref} Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!

^{3 Ref} For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.

^{4 Ref} For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

^{5 Ref} Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?

^{6 Ref} Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

^{7 Ref} The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.

^{8 Ref} Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

^{9 Ref} Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

^{10 Ref} Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

^{11 Ref} What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?

^{12 Ref} Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?

^{13 Ref} Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?

^{14 Ref} To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

^{15 Ref} My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;

¹⁶ Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:

^{17 Ref} What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

¹⁸ The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.

^{19 Ref} The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

^{20 Ref} They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.

^{21 Ref} For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.

^{22 Ref} Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

^{23 Ref} Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?

^{24 Ref} Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

^{25 Ref} How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

^{26 Ref} Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?

^{27 Ref} Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.

^{28 Ref} Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.

^{29 Ref} Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.

^{30 Ref} Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?