1Job responded:
2Oh, that my grief were actually weighed, all of it were lifted up in scales;
3for now it's heavier than the sands of the sea; therefore, my words are rash.
4The Almighty's arrows are in me; my spirit drinks their poison, and God's terrors are arrayed against me.
5Does a donkey bray over grass or an ox bellow over its fodder?
6Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or does egg white have taste?
7I refuse to touch them; they resemble food for the sick.
8Oh, that what I've requested would come and God grant my hope;
9that God be willing to crush me, release his hand and cut me off.
10I'd still take comfort, relieved even though in persistent pain; for I've not denied the words of the holy one.
11What is my strength, that I should hope; my end, that my life should drag on?
12Is my strength that of rocks, my flesh bronze?
13I don't have a helper for myself; success has been taken from me.
14Are friends loyal to the one who despairs, or do they stop fearing the Almighty?
15My companions are treacherous like a stream in the desert, like channels that overrun their streambeds,
16like those darkened by thawing ice, in which snow is obscured
17but that stop flowing in dry times and vanish from their channels in heat.
18Caravans turn aside from their paths; they go up into untamed areas and perish.
19Caravans from Tema look; merchants from Sheba hope for it.
20They are ashamed that they trusted; they arrive and are dismayed.
21That's what you are like; you see something awful and are afraid.
22Have I said, "Give me something? Offer a bribe from your wealth for me?
23Rescue me from the hand of my enemy? Ransom me from the grip of the ruthless?"
24Instruct me and I'll be quiet; inform me how I've erred.
25How painful are truthful words, but what do your condemnations accomplish?
26Do you intend to correct my words, to treat the words of a hopeless man as wind?
27Would you even gamble over an orphan, barter away your friend?
28Now look at me— would I lie to your face?
29Turn! Don't be faithless. Turn now! I am righteous.
30Is there wrong on my tongue, or can my mouth not recognize disaster?