2Oh that my vexation were but weighed,

And my calamity laid in the balances altogether!

3For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas;

Therefore are my words broken.

4For the arrows of the Almighty are within me,

The poison whereof my spirit drinketh up;

The terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

5Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass?

Or loweth the ox over his fodder?

6Can that which hath no savour be eaten without salt?

Or is there any taste in the juice of mallows?

7My soul refuseth to touch them;

They are as the sickness of my flesh.

8Oh that I might have my request,

And that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

9Even that it would please God to crush me;

That He would let loose His hand, and cut me off!

10Then should I yet have comfort;

Yea, I would exult in pain, though He spare not;

For I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11What is my strength, that I should wait?

And what is mine end, that I should be patient?

12Is my strength the strength of stones?

Or is my flesh of brass?

13Is it that I have no help in me,

And that sound wisdom is driven quite from me?

14To him that is ready to faint kindness is due from his friend,

Even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

15My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook,

As the channel of brooks that overflow,

16Which are black by reason of the ice,

And wherein the snow hideth itself;

17What time they wax warm, they vanish,

When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

18The paths of their way do wind,

They go up into the waste, and are lost.

19The caravans of Tema looked,

The companies of Sheba waited for them—

20They were ashamed because they had hoped;

They came thither, and were confounded.

21For now ye are become His;

Ye see a terror, and are afraid.

22Did I say: ‘Give unto me’?

Or: ‘Offer a present for me of your substance’ ?

23or: ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’?

Or: ‘Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors’ ?

24Teach me, and I will hold my peace;

And cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25How forcible are words of uprightness!

But what doth your arguing argue?

26Do ye hold words to be an argument,

But the speeches of one that is desperate to be wind?

27Yea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless,

And dig a pit for your friend.

28Now therefore be pleased to look upon me;

For surely I shall not lie to your face.

29Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice;

Yea, return again, my cause is righteous.

30Is there injustice on my tongue?

Cannot my taste discern crafty devices?