Job

 2 “O that my vexation+ were altogether weighed,

And that at the same time my adversity they would put on scales themselves!

 3 For now it is heavier even than the sands of the seas.

That is why my own words have been wild talk.+

 4 For the arrows of the Almighty* are with me,+

The venom of which my spirit is drinking;+

The terrors from God* range themselves up against me.*+

 5 Will a zebra*+ cry out over grass,

Or a bull low over its fodder?

 6 Will tasteless things be eaten without salt,

Or is there any taste in the slimy juice of marshmallow?

 7 My soul has refused to touch [anything].

They are like disease in my food.

 8 O that my request would come

And that God* would grant even my hope!

 9 And that God would go ahead and crush me,

That he would release his hand and cut me off!+

10 Even it would still be my comfort;

And I should leap [for joy]+ at [my] labor pains,

[Though] he would have no compassion, for I have not hidden the sayings+ of the Holy One.+

11 What is my power, that I should keep waiting?+

And what is my end, that I should keep prolonging my soul?*

12 Is my power the power of stones?

Or is my flesh of copper?

13 Is it that self-assistance is not in me,

And effectual working itself has been chased away from me?

14 As regards anyone who withholds loving-kindness* from his own fellow,+

He will also leave off even the fear of the Almighty.+

15 My own brothers have dealt treacherously,+ like a winter torrent,

Like the channel of winter torrents that keep passing away.

16 They are dark from ice,

Upon them snow hides itself.

17 In due season they become waterless,+ they have been silenced;

When it grows hot they are dried up from their place.+

18 The paths of their way are turned aside;

They go up into the empty place and perish.

19 The caravans of Teʹma+ have looked,

The traveling company of Sa·beʹans*+ have waited for them.

20 They certainly are ashamed because they had trusted;

They have come clear to the place and they get disappointed.+

21 For now YOU men have amounted to nothing;+

YOU see terror, and YOU become afraid.+

22 Is it because I have said, ‘GIVE me [something],

Or from some of the power of YOU men make a present in my behalf;

23 And rescue me out of the hand of an adversary,+

And out of the hand of tyrants YOU men should redeem me’?+

24 Instruct me, and I, for my part, shall be silent;+

And what mistake I have committed make me understand.+

25 The sayings of uprightness have been—O not painful!+

But what does reproving* on the part of YOU men reprove?+

26 Is it to reprove words that YOU men scheme,

When the sayings of one in despair+ are for mere wind?+

27 How much more will YOU cast lots even over someone fatherless,+

And barter over YOUR companion!+

28 And now GO ahead, pay attention to me,

[And see] whether I shall lie+ to YOUR very faces.

29 Return, please—let no unrighteousness arise—

Yes, return—my righteousness is yet in it.+

30 Is there unrighteousness on my tongue,

Or does my own palate not discern adversity?