LEB(i)
1 Then* 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,
3 for then it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore my words have been rash,
4 for the arrows of Shaddai are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
5 Does the wild ass bray over grass, or the ox bellow over its fodder?
6 Can 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,
9 that* God would decide that* he would crush me, that he would let loose his hand and ⌊kill me⌋.*
10 But* it will still be my consolation, and I would recoil in ⌊unrelenting⌋* pain, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that ⌊I should hold out⌋?*
12 Or 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.
15 My companions are treacherous like a torrent-bed; like a streambed of wadis* they flow away,
16 which are growing dark because of ice upon them, it will pile up snow.
17 In time they dry up, they disappear; when it is hot, they vanish from their place.
18 The paths of their way wind around; they go up into the wasteland, and they perish.
19 The caravans of Tema looked; the traveling merchants of Sheba hope for them.
20 They 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.
22 Is it because I have said, 'Give to me,' or,* 'Offer a bribe for me from your wealth'?
23 or,* 'Save me from the foe's hand,' or,* 'Ransom me from the tyrants' hand'?
24 Teach me, and I myself* will be silent; and make me understand how I have gone astray.
25 How painful are ⌊upright words⌋!* But* what does ⌊your reproof⌋* reprove?
26 Do you intend to reprove my words* and consider the words of a desperate man as wind?
27 Even 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.*
29 Please turn, let no injustice happen; indeed,* turn, ⌊my righteousness is still intact⌋.*
30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Or can my palate not discern calamity?*