^{1 Ref} And Job made answer and said,

^{2 Ref} If only my passion might be measured, and put into the scales against my trouble!

^{3 Ref} For then its weight would be more than the sand of the seas: because of this my words have been uncontrolled.

^{4 Ref} 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 Ref} Does the ass of the fields give out his voice when he has grass? or does the ox make sounds over his food?

^{6 Ref} Will a man take food which has no taste without salt? or is there any taste in the soft substance of purslain?

^{7 Ref} My soul has no desire for such things, they are as disease in my food.

^{8 Ref} If only I might have an answer to my prayer, and God would give me my desire!

^{9 Ref} 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 Ref} 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 Ref} Have I strength to go on waiting, or have I any end to be looking forward to?

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

^{13 Ref} I have no help in myself, and wisdom is completely gone from me.

^{14 Ref} He whose heart is shut against his friend has given up the fear of the Ruler of all.

^{15 Ref} 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 Ref} 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 Ref} The camel-trains of Tema were searching with care, the bands of Sheba were waiting for them:

^{20 Ref} They were put to shame because of their hope; they came and their hope was gone.

^{21 Ref} So have you now become to me; you see my sad condition and are in fear.

^{22 Ref} Did I say, Give me something? or, Make a payment for me out of your wealth?

^{23 Ref} 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 Ref} Give me teaching and I will be quiet; and make me see my error.

^{25 Ref} How pleasing are upright words! but what force is there in your arguments?

^{26 Ref} My words may seem wrong to you, but the words of him who has no hope are for the wind.

^{27 Ref} 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 Ref} Now then, let your eyes be turned to me, for truly I will not say what is false to your face.

^{29 Ref} 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 Ref} Is there evil in my tongue? is not the cause of my trouble clear to me?