Job: My complaint is just
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Then Job answered and said,
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“Oh, if only my anguish were weighed; if only all my calamity were laid in the balance!
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For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas. That is why my words were reckless.
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For the arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks up the poison; the terrors of God have arranged themselves in array against me.
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Does the wild donkey bray in despair when he has grass? Or does the ox low in hunger when it has fodder?
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Can that which has no taste be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
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I refuse to touch them; they are like disgusting food to me.
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Oh, that I might have my request; oh, that God would grant me the thing I long for:
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That it would please God to crush me once, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off from this life!
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May this still be my consolation-even if I exult in pain that does not lessen: That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
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What is my strength, that I should try to wait? What is my end, that I should prolong my life?
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Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh made of bronze?
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Is it not true that I have no help in myself, and that wisdom has been driven out of me?
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To the person who is about to faint, faithfulness should be shown by his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
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But my brothers have been as faithful to me as a desert streambed, as channels of water that pass away to nothing,
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which are darkened because of ice over them, and because of the snow that hides itself in them.
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When they thaw out, they vanish; when it is hot, they melt out of their place.
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The caravans that travel by their way turn aside for water; they wander into barren land and then perish.
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Caravans from Tema looked there, while companies of Sheba hoped in them.
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They were disappointed because they had been confident of finding water. They went there, but they were deceived.
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For now you friends are nothing to me; you see my dreadful situation and are afraid.
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Did I say to you, ‘Give something to me?’ Or, ‘Offer me a gift from your wealth?’
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Or, ‘Save me from my adversary’s hand?’ Or, ‘Ransom me from the hand of my oppressors?’
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Teach me, and I will hold my peace; make me understand where I have been wrong.
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How painful are truthful words! But your arguments, how do they actually rebuke me?
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Do you plan to ignore my words, treating the words of a desperate man like the wind?
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Indeed, you cast lots for a fatherless child, and haggle over your friend like merchandise.
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Now, therefore, please look at me, for surely I would not lie to your face.
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Relent, I beg you; let there be no injustice with you; indeed, relent, for my cause is just.
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Is there evil on my tongue? Cannot my mouth detect malicious things?
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