Job: My Complaint Is Just

1But Job answered and said,

2Oh that my grief were thoroughly 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 drinks up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.   Shaddai; Eloah^s.f.

5Does the wild ass bray when he has grass? or lows the ox over his fodder?

6Can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?   tasteless

7The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.   food

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 my end, that I should prolong my life?

12Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?   bronze

13Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?

14To him that is afflicted pity should be showed from his friend; but he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.   reverence

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 hidden:

17What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.   grow

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 there, and were ashamed.

21For now you^p are nothing; you^p see my casting down, and are afraid.

22Did I say, Bring to me? or, Give a reward for me of your^p substance?   possessions, wealth

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 does your^p arguing reprove?   correct

26Do you^p imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?

27Yea, you^p overwhelm the fatherless, and you^p dig a pit for your^p friend.

28Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident to you^p if I lie.

29Return, I pray you^p, 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?