| 1 | But Job answered, and said: |
| 2 | O that my sins, whereby I have deserved wrath, and the calamity that I suffer, were weighed in a balance. |
| 3 | As the sand of the sea this would appear heavier: therefore my words are full of sorrow: |
| 4 | For the arrows of the Lord are in me, the rage whereof drinketh up my spirit, and the terrors of the Lord war against me. |
| 5 | Will the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or will the ox low when he standeth before a full manger? |
| 6 | Or can an unsavoury thing be eaten, that is not seasoned with salt? or can a man taste that which when tasted bringeth death? |
| 7 | The things which before my soul would not touch, now, through anguish are my meats. |
| 8 | Who will grant that my request may come: and that God may give me what I look for? |
| 9 | And that he that hath begun may destroy me, that he may let loose his hand, and cut me off? |
| 10 | And that this may be my comfort, that afflicting me with sorrow, he spare not, nor I contradict the words of the Holy One. |
| 11 | For what is my strength, that I can hold out? or what is my end that I should keep patience? |
| 12 | My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh of brass. |
| 13 | Behold there is no help for me in myself, and my familiar friends also are departed from me. |
| 14 | He that taketh away mercy from his friend, forsaketh the fear of the Lord. |
| 15 | My brethren have passed by me, as the torrent that passeth swiftly in the valleys. |
| 16 | They that fear the hoary frost, the snow shall fall upon them. |
| 17 | At the time when they shall be scattered they shall perish: and after it groweth hot they shall be melted out of their place. |
| 18 | The paths of their steps are entangled: they shall walk in vain, and shall perish. |
| 19 | Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while. |
| 20 | They are confounded, because I have hoped: they are come also even unto me, and are covered with shame. |
| 21 | Now you are come: and now seeing my affliction you are afraid. |
| 22 | Did I say: Bring to me, and give me of your substance? |
| 23 | Or deliver me from the hand of the enemy, and rescue me out of the hand of the mighty? |
| 24 | Teach me, and I will hold my peace: and if I have been ignorant in any thing, instruct me. |
| 25 | Why have you detracted the words of truth, whereas there is none of you that can reprove me? |
| 26 | You dress up speeches only to rebuke, and you utter words to the wind. |
| 27 | You rush in upon the fatherless, and you endeavour to overthrow your friend. |
| 28 | However finish what you have begun, give ear, and see whether I lie. |
| 29 | Answer, I beseech you, without contention: and speaking that which is just, judge ye. |
| 30 | And you shall not And iniquity in my tongue, neither shall folly sound in my mouth. |
