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