1 Then Job replied:2 "If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales!3 It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas — no wonder my words have been impetuous.4 The arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks in their poison; God's terrors are marshaled against me.5 Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, or an ox bellow when it has fodder?6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the sap of the mallow "?7 I refuse to touch it; such food makes me ill.8 "Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for,9 that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose his hand and cut off my life!10 Then I would still have this consolation — my joy in unrelenting pain — that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.11 "What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient?12 Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze?13 Do I have any power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me?14 "Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.15 But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams, as the streams that overflow16 when darkened by thawing ice and swollen with melting snow,17 but that stop flowing in the dry season, and in the heat vanish from their channels.18 Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go off into the wasteland and perish.19 The caravans of Tema look for water, the traveling merchants of Sheba look in hope.20 They are distressed, because they had been confident; they arrive there, only to be disappointed.21 Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid.22 Have I ever said, 'Give something on my behalf, pay a ransom for me from your wealth,23 deliver me from the hand of the enemy, rescue me from the clutches of the ruthless'?24 "Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong.25 How painful are honest words! But what do your arguments prove?26 Do you mean to correct what I say, and treat my desperate words as wind?27 You would even cast lots for the fatherless and barter away your friend.28 "But now be so kind as to look at me. Would I lie to your face?29 Relent, do not be unjust; reconsider, for my integrity is at stake. [^2]30 Is there any wickedness on my lips? Can my mouth not discern malice?

1 Respondens autem Job, dixit : 2 [Utinam appenderentur peccata mea quibus iram merui,et calamitas quam patior, in statera !3 Quasi arena maris hc gravior appareret ;unde et verba mea dolore sunt plena :4 quia sagitt Domini in me sunt,quarum indignatio ebibit spiritum meum ;et terrores Domini militant contra me.5 Numquid rugiet onager cum habuerit herbam ?aut mugiet bos cum ante prsepe plenum steterit ?6 aut poterit comedi insulsum, quod non est sale conditum ?aut potest aliquis gustare quod gustatum affert mortem ?7 Qu prius nolebat tangere anima mea,nunc, pr angustia, cibi mei sunt.8 Quis det ut veniat petitio mea,et quod expecto tribuat mihi Deus ?9 et qui cpit, ipse me conterat ;solvat manum suam, et succidat me ?10 Et hc mihi sit consolatio, ut affligens me dolore, non parcat,nec contradicam sermonibus Sancti.11 Qu est enim fortitudo mea, ut sustineam ?aut quis finis meus, ut patienter agam ?12 Nec fortitudo lapidum fortitudo mea,nec caro mea nea est.13 Ecce non est auxilium mihi in me,et necessarii quoque mei recesserunt a me.14 Qui tollit ab amico suo misericordiam,timorem Domini derelinquit.15 Fratres mei prterierunt me,sicut torrens qui raptim transit in convallibus.16 Qui timent pruinam,irruet super eos nix.17 Tempore quo fuerint dissipati, peribunt ;et ut incaluerit, solventur de loco suo.18 Involut sunt semit gressuum eorum ;ambulabunt in vacuum, et peribunt.19 Considerate semitas Thema, itinera Saba,et expectate paulisper.20 Confusi sunt, quia speravi :venerunt quoque usque ad me, et pudore cooperti sunt.21 Nunc venistis ;et modo videntes plagam meam, timetis.22 Numquid dixi : Afferte mihi,et de substantia vestra donate mihi ?23 vel : Liberate me de manu hostis,et de manu robustorum eruite me ?24 Docete me, et ego tacebo :et si quid forte ignoravi, instruite me.25 Quare detraxistis sermonibus veritatis,cum e vobis nullus sit qui possit arguere me ?26 Ad increpandum tantum eloquia concinnatis,et in ventum verba profertis.27 Super pupillum irruitis,et subvertere nitimini amicum vestrum.28 Verumtamen quod cpistis explete :prbete aurem, et videte an mentiar.29 Respondete, obsecro, absque contentione ;et loquentes id quod justum est, judicate.30 Et non invenietis in lingua mea iniquitatem,nec in faucibus meis stultitia personabit.]