1 And lyoḇ answered and said,
2 “Oh, that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity be placed on the scales!
3 For it would outweigh the sand of the sea, therefore my words have been rash.
4 For the arrows of Ĕl Shaddai are within me, my spirit drinks in their poison, the onslaughts of Eloah are arrayed against me.
5 Does the wild donkey bray when it has grass, or does the ox bellow over its fodder?
6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt? Is there any flavour in the juice of mallows?
7 I refuse to touch it, they are like food when I am sick.
8 Oh that I might have my desire, that Eloah would grant me what I long for!
9 That it would please Eloah to crush me, loose His hand and cut me off!
10 Then I would still have comfort, and I would rejoice in pain, though not spared, for I have not hidden the words of the Qadosh One.’
11 What strength do I have, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should prolong my life?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Is my flesh of bronze?
13 Is my help not within me? And is ability driven from me?
14 To one afflicted: kindness, even the one forsaking the reverence of Ĕl Shaddai.
15 My brothers are as undependable as a wadi, as a bed on which streams once ran,
16 which are dark because of the ice, in which the snow is hidden.
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 enter wastes and perish.
19 Passengers of Tĕma looked expectantly, travellers of Sheḇa waited for them.
20 They were ashamed because they had trusted, they came there and were disappointed.
21 Indeed, you have now become the same! You see downfall and are afraid.
22 Did I ever say, ‘Give to me’? or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth’?
23 or, ‘Rescue me from the hand of the enemy?’ or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of oppressors’?
24 Teach me, and I shall be silent. And show me where I have gone astray.
25 Words of uprightness are harsh! But what does your reproving reprove?
26 Do you reckon to reprove my words, and the sayings of one in despair, which are as wind?
27 You would cast lots over the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend!
28 But now, please look at me – whether I would lie to your face.
29 Relent, please, let there no unrighteousness. Relent! My righteousness is still in it.
30 Is there unrighteousness on my tongue? Does my taste not discern what is perverse?