1Then Job answered and said,

2“Oh, if only my anguish were weighed;
if only all my calamity were laid in the balance!

3For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas.
That is why my words were reckless.

4For the arrows of the Almighty are in me,
my spirit drinks up the poison;
the terrors of God have arranged themselves in array against me.

5Does the wild donkey bray in despair when he has grass?
Or does the ox low in hunger when it has fodder?

6Can that which has no taste be eaten without salt?
Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

7I refuse to touch them;
they are like disgusting food to me.

8Oh, that I might have my request;
oh, that God would grant me the thing I long for:

9that it would please God to crush me once,
that he would let loose his hand and cut me off from this life!

10May this still be my consolation—
even if I exult in pain that does not lessen:
that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11What is my strength, that I should try to wait?
What is my end, that I should prolong my life?

12Is my strength the strength of stones?
Or is my flesh made of bronze?

13Is it not true that I have no help in myself,
and that wisdom has been driven out of me?

14To the person who is about to faint, faithfulness should be shown by his friend;
even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

15But my brothers have been as faithful to me as a desert streambed,
as channels of water that pass away to nothing,

16which are darkened because of ice over them,
and because of the snow that hides itself in them.

17When they thaw out, they vanish;
when it is hot, they melt out of their place.

18The caravans that travel by their way turn aside for water;
they wander into barren land and then perish.

19Caravans from Tema looked there,
while companies of Sheba hoped in them.

20They were disappointed because they had been confident of finding water.
They went there, but they were deceived.

21For now you friends are nothing to me;
you see my dreadful situation and are afraid.

22Did I say to you, 'Give something to me?'
Or, 'Offer me a gift from your wealth?'

23Or, 'Save me from my adversary's hand?'
Or, 'Ransom me from the hand of my oppressors?'

24Teach me, and I will hold my peace;
make me understand where I have been wrong.

25How painful are truthful words!
But your arguments, how do they actually rebuke me?

26Do you plan to ignore my words,
treating the words of a desperate man like the wind?

27Indeed, you cast lots for a fatherless child,
and haggle over your friend like merchandise.

28Now, therefore, please look at me,
for surely I would not lie to your face.

29Relent, I beg you; let there be no injustice with you;
Indeed, relent, for my cause is just.

30Is there evil on my tongue?
Cannot my mouth detect malicious things?