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 swallow (to approve, commend, accept)ed up.

4For the arrows of the Almighty [are] within me, the poison whereof drink up my spirit: the terrors of God-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] do set themselves in array (to put on; to clothe) against me.

5Does the wild ass groan (wail; make a foul noise) when he has grass? or lows the ox over his fodder?

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

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

8Oh that I might have my request; and that God-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] would grant [me] the thing that I long for!

9Even that it would please God-Elohim (The Living Word) [The Many Powered] to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

10Then should I yet have comfort; yes, 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?

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

13[Is] 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.

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 hid:

17What time they grow (become; advance) warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

18The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.

19The troops of Teima [desert] looked, the companies of Sheva [Seven] waited for them.

20They were confounded because they had hoped; they came there, and were ashamed.

21For now you^2f are nothing; you^2f see [my] casting down, and are afraid.

22Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

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 arguing reprove?

26Do you^2f imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, [which are] as wind?

27Yes, you^2f overwhelm the fatherless, and you^2f dig [a pit] for your friend.

28Now therefore be content, look upon me; for [it is] evident unto you if I lie.

29Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yes, return again, my righteousness [is] in it.

30Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?