1 Then Job answered and said:

2 "Oh that my vexation were weighed,

and all my calamity laid in the balances!

3 For then it would be heavier than *[Prov. 27:3]the sand of the sea;

therefore my words have been rash.

4 For *Ps. 38:2the arrows of the Almighty are in me;

my spirit drinks their poison;

the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

5 Does the wild donkey 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 juice of the mallow?*6:6 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain

7 My appetite refuses to touch them;

they are as food that is loathsome to me.*6:7 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain

8 "Oh that I might have my request,

and that God would fulfill my hope,

9 that it would *1 Kgs. 19:4;[Num. 11:15]please God to crush me,

that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!

10 This would be my comfort;

I would even exult*6:10 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain in pain *[Isa. 30:14] unsparing,

for I have not denied the words of *Lev. 19:2;Isa. 57:15;Hos. 11:9the 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 Have I any help in me,

when resource is driven from me?

14 "He who *[Prov. 11:24] withholds*6:14 Syriac, Vulgate (compare Targum); the meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain kindness from a *[Prov. 17:17]friend

forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

15 My *[Ps. 38:11;41:9] brothers are *[1 Sam. 14:33] treacherous as a torrent-bed,

as torrential *[Jer. 15:18]streams that pass away,

16 which are dark with ice,

and where the snow hides itself.

17 When they melt, they disappear;

when it is hot, they vanish from their place.

18 The caravans turn aside from their course;

they go up into *[Gen. 1:2;Jer. 4:23]the waste and perish.

19 The caravans of *Gen. 25:15;1 Chr. 1:30;Isa. 21:14;Jer. 25:23Tema look,

the travelers of *See 1 Kgs. 10:1Sheba hope.

20 They are *Isa. 1:29;Jer. 14:3ashamed because they were confident;

they come there and are *Isa. 1:29;Jer. 14:3disappointed.

21 For you have now become nothing;

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, ‘Redeem me from the hand of *ch. 15:20;27:13the ruthless’?

24 "Teach me, and I will be silent;

make me understand how I have gone astray.

25 How forceful are upright 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 *ch. 7:7;Isa. 41:29wind?

27 You would even *Joel 3:3;Nah. 3:10cast 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 *ch. 17:10Please turn; let no injustice be done.

Turn now; my vindication is at stake.

30 Is there any injustice on my tongue?

Cannot my palate discern the cause of calamity?