1Then Job answered and said , 2Oh that my vexation were but weighed , And all my calamity laid in the balances ! 3For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas : Therefore have my words been rash . 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 savor be eaten without salt ? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg ? 7My soul refuseth to touch them ; They are as loathsome food to me . 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 ! 10And be it still my consolation , Yea , let me exult in pain that spareth not , That 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 not that I have no help in me , And that wisdom is driven quite from me ?
The Nature of Job's Suffering
14To him that is ready to faint kindness should be showed 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 pass away ; 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 caravans that travel by the way of them turn aside ; They go up into the waste , and perish. 19The caravans of Tema looked , The companies of Sheba waited for them. 20They were put to shame because they had hoped; They came thither, and were confounded . 21For now ye are nothing ; Ye see a terror , and are afraid .
Job's Desire for Death
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 your reproof , what doth it reprove ? 26Do ye think to reprove words , Seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind ? 27Yea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless , And make merchandise of 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 mischievous things ?