1. But Job answered and said,
2. Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
3. For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
4. For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison thereof drinks up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.
5. Does the wild donkey bray when it has grass? or the ox lows over its fodder?
6. Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7. The things that my soul refused to touch are as loathsome food to me.
8. Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
9. Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10. Then should I still have comfort; yea, I would exult myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
11. What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is my end, that I should prolong my life?
12. Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of bronze?
13. Is not my help within me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
14. To him that is afflicted pity should be shown from his friend; even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15. My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks that pass away;
16. Which are black by reason of the ice, and in which the snow is hid:
17. At what time they become warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they vanish out of their place.
18. The paths of their way turn aside; they go nowhere, and perish.