Job: My Complaint Is Just
1 Then Job answered and said:
2 “Oh, that my grief were fully weighed,
And my calamity laid with it on the scales!
3 For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea—
Therefore my words have been rash.
4 For the arrows of the Almightyarewithin me;
My spirit drinks in their poison;
# The terrors of God are arrayedagainst me.
5 Does thewild donkey bray when it has grass,
Or does the ox low over its fodder?
6 Can flavorless food be eaten without salt?
Or is thereanytaste in the white of an egg?
7 My soul refuses to touch them;
Theyareas loathsome food to me.
8 “Oh, that I might have my request,
That God would grantmethe thing that I long for!
9 That it would please God to crush me,
# That He would loose His hand andcut me off!
10 Then I would still have comfort;
Though in anguish I would exult,
He will not spare;
# ForI have not concealed the words ofthe Holy One.
11 “What strength do I have, that I should hope?
And whatismy end, that I should prolong my life?
12 Ismy strength the strength of stones?
Or is my flesh bronze?
13 Ismy help not within me?
And is success driven from me?
14 “Tohim who is afflicted, kindnessshouldbeshownby his friend,
Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully like a brook,
# Like the streams of the brooks that pass away,
16 Which are dark because of the ice,
Andinto which the snow vanishes.
17 When it is warm, they cease to flow;
When it is hot, they vanish from their place.
18 The paths of their way turn aside,
They go nowhere and perish.
19 The caravans ofTema look,
# The travelers ofSheba hope for them.
20 They aredisappointed because they were confident;
They come there and are confused.
21 For nowyou are nothing,
# You see terror andare afraid.
22 Did I ever say, ‘Bringsomethingto me’?
Or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth’?
23 Or, ‘Deliver me from the enemy’s hand’?
Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of oppressors’?
24 “Teach me, and I will hold my tongue;
Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How forceful are right words!
But what does your arguing prove?
26 Do you intend to rebukemywords,
And the speeches of a desperate one,whichareas wind?
27 Yes, you overwhelm the fatherless,
# And youundermine your friend.
28 Now therefore, be pleased to look at me;
For I would never lie to your face.
29 Yield now, let there be no injustice!
# Yes, concede, myrighteousness still stands!
30 Is there injustice on my tongue?
Cannot my taste discern the unsavory?