But Job answered, and said: 2O that my sins, whereby I have deserved wrath, and the calamity that I suffer, were weighed in a balance. 3As the sand of the sea, this would appear heavier: therefore, my words are full of sorrow: 4For the arrows of the Lord are in me, the rage whereof drinketh up my spirit, and the terrors of the Lord war against me. 5Will the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or will the ox low when he standeth before a full manger? 6Or can an unsavoury thing be eaten, that is not seasoned with salt? or can a man taste that which, when tasted, bringeth death? 7The things which before my soul would not touch, now, through anguish, are my meats. 8Who will grant that my request may come: and that God may give me what I look for? 9And that he that hath begun may destroy me, that he may let loose his hand, and cut me off? 10And that this may be my comfort, that afflicting me with sorrow, he spare not, nor I contradict the words of the Holy one. 11For what is my strength, that I can hold out? or what is my end, that I should keep patience? 12My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh of brass. 13Behold there is no help for me in myself, and my familiar friends also are departed from me. 14He that taketh away mercy from his friend, forsaketh the fear of the Lord. 15My brethren have passed by me, as the torrent that passeth swiftly in the valleys. 16They that fear the hoary frost, the snow shall fall upon them. 17At the time when they shall be scattered they shall perish: and after it groweth hot, they shall be melted out of their place. 18The paths of their steps are entangled: they shall walk in vain, and shall perish. 19Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while. 20They are confounded, because I have hoped: they are come also even unto me, and are covered with shame. 21Now you are come: and now, seeing my affliction, you are afraid. 22Did I say: Bring to me, and give me of your substance? 23Or deliver me from the hand of the enemy, and rescue me out of the hand of the mighty? 24Teach me, and I will hold my peace: and if I have been ignorant of any thing, instruct me. 25Why have you detracted the words of truth, whereas there is none of you that can reprove me? 26You dress up speeches only to rebuke, and you utter words to the wind. 27You rush in upon the fatherless, and you endeavour to overthrow your friend. 28However, finish what you have begun: give ear and see whether I lie. 29Answer, I beseech you, without contention: and speaking that which is just, judge ye. 30And you shall not find iniquity in my tongue, neither shall folly sound in my mouth. 1The life of man upon earth is a warfare, and his days are like the days of a hireling. 2As a servant longeth for the shade, as the hireling looketh for the end of his work; 3So I also have had empty months, and have numbered to myself wearisome nights. 4If I lie down to sleep, I shall say: When shall I rise? and again, I shall look for the evening, and shall be filled with sorrows even till darkness. 5My flesh is clothed with rottenness and the filth of dust; my skin is withered and drawn together. 6My days have passed more swiftly than the web is cut by the weaver, and are consumed without any hope. 7Remember that my life is but wind, and my eye shall not return to see good things. 8Nor shall the sight of man behold me: thy eyes are upon me, and I shall be no more. 9As a cloud is consumed, and passeth away: so he that shall go down to hell shall not come up. 10Nor shall he return any more into his house, neither shall his place know him any more 11Wherefore, I will not spare my mouth, I will speak in the affliction of my spirit: I will talk with the bitterness of my soul. 12Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou hast enclosed me in a prison? 13If I say: My bed shall comfort me, and I shall be relieved, speaking with myself on my couch: 14Thou wilt frighten me with dreams, and terrify me with visions. 15So that my soul rather chooseth hanging, and my bones death. 16I have done with hope, I shall now live no longer: spare me, for my days are nothing. 17What is a man, that thou shouldst magnify him or why dost thou set thy heart upon him? 18Thou visitest him early in the morning, and thou provest him suddenly. 19How long wilt thou not spare me, nor suffer me to swallow down my spittle? 20I have sinned: what shall I do to thee, O keeper of men? why hast thou set me opposite to thee. and am I become burdensome to myself? 21Why dost thou not remove my sin, and why dost thou not take away my iniquity? Behold now I shall sleep in the dust: and if thou seek me in the morning, I shall not be.