² “Oh that my anguish were weighed,
    and all my calamity laid in the balances!
³ For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas,
    therefore my words have been rash.
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.
⁵     Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass?
Or does the ox low over his fodder?
⁶     Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt?
Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
⁷     My soul refuses to touch them.
They are as loathsome food to me.

⁸ “Oh that I might have my request,
    that God would grant the thing that I long for,
⁹ even that it would please God to crush me;
    that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
¹⁰ Let it still be my consolation,
    yes, let me exult in pain that doesn’t spare,
    that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
¹¹ What is my strength, that I should wait?
    What is my end, that I should be patient?
¹² Is my strength the strength of stones?
    Or is my flesh of bronze?
¹³ Isn’t it that I have no help in me,
    that wisdom is driven away from me?

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.
¹⁵ My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook,
    as the channel of brooks that pass away;
¹⁶ Which are black by reason of the ice,
    in which the snow hides itself.
¹⁷ In the dry season, they vanish.
    When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
¹⁸ The caravans that travel beside them turn away.
    They go up into the waste, and perish.
¹⁹ The caravans of Tema looked.
    The companies of Sheba waited for them.
²⁰ They were distressed because they were confident.
    They came there, and were confounded.
²¹ For now you are nothing.
    You see a terror, and are afraid.
²² Did I say, ‘Give to me?’
    or, ‘Offer a present for me from your substance?’
²³ or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand?’
    or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?’

²⁴ “Teach me, and I will hold my peace.
    Cause me to understand my error.
²⁵ How forcible are words of uprightness!
    But your reproof, what does it reprove?
²⁶ Do you intend to reprove words,
    since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
²⁷ Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless,
    and make merchandise of your friend.
²⁸ Now therefore be pleased to look at me,
    for surely I will not lie to your face.
²⁹ Please return.
    Let there be no injustice.
    Yes, return again.
    My cause is righteous.
³⁰ Is there injustice on my tongue?
    Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?