1 But Job answered and said, 2 Oh that my grief were throughly 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 whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me. 5 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder? 6 Can that which is unsavoury 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 my sorrowful meat. 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 yet have comfort; yea, I would harden 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] mine end, that I should prolong my life? 12 [Is] my strength the strength of stones? or [is] my flesh of brass? 13 [Is] not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me? 14 To him that is afflicted pity [should be shewed] from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. 15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, [and] as the stream of brooks they pass away; 16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, [and] wherein the snow is hid: 17 What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. 18 The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish. 19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them. 20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed. 21 For now ye are nothing; ye see [my] casting down, and are afraid. 22 Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance? 23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty? 24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. 25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove? 26 Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, [which are] as wind? 27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig [a pit] for your friend. 28 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for [it is] evident unto you if I lie. 29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness [is] in it. 30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?