1 Then Job answered,
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2 "Oh that my anguish were weighed, And all my calamity laid in the balances!
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3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, Therefore have my words been rash.
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4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, My spirit drinks up their poison. The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.
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5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?
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6 Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
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7 My soul refuses to touch them; They are as loathsome food to me.
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8 "Oh that I might have my request; That God would grant the thing that I long for!
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9 Even that it would please God to crush me; That he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
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10 Be it still my consolation, Yes, let me exult in pain that doesn't spare, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
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11 What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?
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12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?
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13 Isn't it that I have no help in me, That wisdom is driven quite from me?
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14 "To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; Even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
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15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, As the channel of brooks that pass away;
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16 Which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself:
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17 In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
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18 The caravans that travel beside them turn aside; They go up into the waste, and perish.
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19 The caravans of Tema looked, The companies of Sheba waited for them.
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20 They were put to shame because they had hoped; They came there, and were confounded.
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21 For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.
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22 Did I say, 'Give to me?' Or, 'Offer a present for me from your substance?'
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23 Or, 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand?' Or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?'
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24 "Teach me, and I will hold my peace; Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
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25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?
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26 Do you intend to reprove words, Seeing that the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
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27 Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, And make merchandise of your friend.
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28 Now therefore be pleased to look at me, For surely I shall not lie to your face.
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29 Please return. Let there be no injustice; Yes, return again, my cause is righteous.
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30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Can't my taste discern mischievous things?
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