1But Job answered and said , 2Oh that my grief were throughly weighed , and my calamity laid in the balances together ! 3For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea : therefore my words are swallowed up . 4For 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. 5Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass ? or loweth the ox over his fodder ? 6Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt ? or is there any taste in the white of an egg ? 7The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat . 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 destroy me; that he would let loose his hand , and cut me off ! 10Then 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 . 11What is my strength , that I should hope ? and what is mine end , that I should prolong my life ? 12Is my strength the strength of stones ? or is my flesh of brass ? 13Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
The Nature of Job's Suffering
14To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend ; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty . 15My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook , and as the stream of brooks they pass away ; 16Which are blackish by reason of the ice , and wherein the snow is hid : 17What time they wax warm , they vanish : when it is hot , they are consumed out of their place . 18The paths of their way are turned aside ; they go to nothing , and perish . 19The troops of Tema looked , the companies of Sheba waited for them. 20They were confounded because they had hoped ; they came thither, and were ashamed . 21For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down , and are afraid .
Job's Desire for Death
22Did I say , Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance ? 23Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand ? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty ? 24Teach me, and I will hold my tongue : and cause me to understand wherein I have erred . 25How forcible are right words ! but what doth your arguing reprove ? 26Do ye imagine to reprove words , and the speeches of one that is desperate , which are as wind ? 27Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless , and ye dig a pit for your friend . 28Now therefore be content , look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie . 29Return , I pray you, let it not be iniquity ; yea, return again , my righteousness is in it. 30Is there iniquity in my tongue ? cannot my taste discern perverse things ?