¹Then Job answered and said, ²“If only my vexation could be well weighed, and my calamity could be lifted up together with it in the balances, ³for then it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore my words have been rash, ⁴for the arrows of Shaddai are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me. ⁵Does the wild ass bray over grass, or the ox bellow over its fodder? ⁶Can tasteless food be eaten without salt, or is there taste in the white of a marshmallow plant? ⁷⌞I refused⌟ to touch them; they are like ⌞food that will make me ill⌟. ⁸“⌞O that⌟ my request may come, and that God may grant my hope, ⁹that God would decide that he would crush me, that he would let loose his hand and ⌞kill me⌟. ¹⁰But it will still be my consolation, and I would recoil in ⌞unrelenting⌟ pain, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One. ¹¹What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that ⌞I should hold out⌟? ¹²Or is my strength like the strength of stones? Or is my flesh bronze? ¹³⌞Indeed⌟, my help is not in me, and any success is driven from me. ¹⁴“Loyal love should come for the afflicted from his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of Shaddai. ¹⁵My companions are treacherous like a torrent-bed; like a streambed of wadis they flow away, ¹⁶which are growing dark because of ice upon them, it will pile up snow. ¹⁷In time they dry up, they disappear; when it is hot, they vanish from their place. ¹⁸The paths of their way wind around; they go up into the wasteland, and they perish. ¹⁹The caravans of Tema looked; the traveling merchants of Sheba hope for them. ²⁰They are disappointed, because they trusted; they came ⌞here⌟ and they are confounded. ²¹“For now you have become ⌞such⌟; you see terrors, and you fear. ²²Is it because I have said, ‘Give to me,’ or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth’? ²³or, ‘Save me from the foe’s hand,’ or, ‘Ransom me from the tyrants’ hand’? ²⁴Teach me, and I myself will be silent; and make me understand how I have gone astray. ²⁵How painful are ⌞upright words⌟! But what does ⌞your reproof⌟ reprove? ²⁶Do you intend to reprove my words and consider the words of a desperate man as wind? ²⁷Even over the orphan you would cast the lot, and you would bargain over your friend. ²⁸“⌞Therefore⌟ be prepared, turn to me, and I surely will not lie to your face. ²⁹Please turn, let no injustice happen; indeed, turn, ⌞my righteousness is still intact⌟. ³⁰Is there injustice on my tongue? Or can my palate not discern calamity?