2“Oh, that my grief were fully weighed,
And my calamity laid with it on the scales!
3For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea—
Therefore my words have been rash.
4For the arrows of the Almighty are within me;
My spirit drinks in their poison;
The terrors of God are arrayed against me.
5Does the wild donkey bray when it has grass,
Or does the ox low over its fodder?
6Can flavorless food be eaten without salt?
Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7My soul refuses to touch them;
They are as loathsome food to me.

8“Oh, that I might have my request,
That God would grant me the thing that I long for!
9That it would please God to crush me,
That He would loose His hand and cut me off!
10Then I would still have comfort;
Though in anguish I would exult,
He will not spare;
For I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

11“What strength do I have, 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 bronze?
13Is my help not within me?
And is success driven from me?

14“To him who is [a]afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend,
Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15My brothers have dealt deceitfully like a brook,
Like the streams of the brooks that pass away,
16Which are dark because of the ice,
And into which the snow vanishes.
17When it is warm, they cease to flow;
When it is hot, they vanish from their place.
18The paths of their way turn aside,
They go nowhere and perish.
19The caravans of Tema look,
The travelers of Sheba hope for them.
20They are disappointed[b] because they were confident;
They come there and are confused.
21For now you are nothing,
You see terror and are afraid.
22Did I ever say, ‘Bring something to me’?
Or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth’?
23Or, ‘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.
25How forceful are right words!
But what does your arguing prove?
26Do you intend to rebuke my words,
And the speeches of a desperate one, which are as wind?
27Yes, you overwhelm the fatherless,
And you undermine your friend.
28Now therefore, be pleased to look at me;
For I would never lie to your face.
29Yield now, let there be no injustice!
Yes, concede, my righteousness [c]still stands!
30Is there injustice on my tongue?
Cannot my [d]taste discern the unsavory?