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 thanz[Prov. 27:3] the sand of the sea;
therefore my words have been rash.
4 ForaPs. 38:2 the 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?
7 My appetite refuses to touch them;
they are as food that is loathsome to me.
8 Oh that I might have my request,
and that God would fulfill my hope,
9 that it wouldb1 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 in painc[Isa. 30:14] unsparing,
for I have not denied the words ofdLev. 19:2; Isa. 57:15; Hos. 11:9 the 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 whoe[Prov. 11:24] withholds kindness from af[Prov. 17:17] friend
forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 Myg[Ps. 38:11; 41:9] brothers areh[1 Sam. 14:33] treacherous as a torrent-bed,
as torrentiali[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 intoj[Gen. 1:2; Jer. 4:23] the waste and perish.
19 The caravans ofkGen. 25:15; 1 Chr. 1:30; Isa. 21:14; Jer. 25:23 Tema look,
the travelers oflSee 1 Kgs. 10:1 Sheba hope.
20 They aremIsa. 1:29; Jer. 14:3 ashamed because they were confident;
they come there and aremIsa. 1:29; Jer. 14:3 disappointed.
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 ofnch. 15:20; 27:13 the 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 isoch. 7:7; Isa. 41:29 wind?
27 You would evenpJoel 3:3; Nah. 3:10 cast 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 qch. 17:10 Please 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?