The Book of Job

And Job answered and said:

Oh that my vexation were carefully weighed, and my ruin lifted in the balances together!

For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; on account of this my words have been rash.

For the arrows of the Almighty [are] within me; their fury [is] drinking my spirit; the terrors of God are set against me.

Does the wild ass bray over tender grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?

Are tasteless [things] eaten without salt? Or is there taste in the slime of an egg?

My soul refuses to touch them; they [are] sickening food to me.

Who will give [it that] my desire might come, and God would grant my longing;

and God would be willing and crush me; let loose His hand and cut me off?

And it is yet my comfort; and I would exult in pain not spared; for I have not hidden the words of the Holy One.

What [is] my strength that I should wait? And what [is] my end that I should prolong my life?

[Is] my strength the strength of stones? Or [is] my flesh bronze?

[Is] not my help within me? And is wisdom driven from me?

To the faint, mercy is [due] from his friend; for he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

My brothers have dealt deceitfully, like the torrent; like the streams of torrents, they vanish;

At the time they are warmed, they are cut off; when it is hot, they vanish from their place.

The paths of their way bend; they go to nothing, and are lost.

The troops of Tema looked; the travelers of Sheba hoped for them;

they were ashamed because they had hoped; they came there, and were ashamed.

Surely now you have become like it; you see [my] dismay, and are afraid.

Did I indeed say, Give to me? Or, offer a bribe for me from your wealth?

Or, Deliver me from a foe's hand? Or, Redeem me from the oppressors hand?

Teach me, and I will be silent; and cause me to understand [in] what I have erred.

Right words are powerful, but what does your arguing argue?

Do you intend to criticize words, and the speeches of one who is hopeless, [that are] as wind?

Yea, you cause even an orphan to fall; and you bargain over your friend.

And now, please look on me. For if I lie, [it is] before your face.

Turn back, I beseech you; let there be no wrong. Yea, return again, for my righteousness [is] in it.

Is there wrong in my tongue? Cannot my palate discern desirable things?