[1] If my troubles and griefs were weighed on scales, [3] they would weigh more than the sands of the sea, so my wild words should not surprise you. [4] Almighty God has shot me with arrows, and their poison spreads through my body. God has lined up his terrors against me. [5] A donkey is content when eating grass, and a cow is quiet when eating hay. [6] But who can eat flat, unsalted food? What taste is there in the white of an egg? [7] I have no appetite for food like that, and everything I eat makes me sick. [8] Why won't God give me what I ask? Why won't he answer my prayer? [9] If only he would go ahead and kill me! [10] If I knew he would, I would leap for joy, no matter how great my pain. I know that God is holy; I have never opposed what he commands. [11] What strength do I have to keep on living? Why go on living when I have no hope? [12] Am I made of stone? Is my body bronze? [13] I have no strength left to save myself; there is nowhere I can turn for help. [14] In trouble like this I need loyal friends- whether I've forsaken God or not. [15] But you, my friends, you deceive me like streams that go dry when no rain comes. [16] The streams are choked with snow and ice, [17] but in the heat they disappear, and the stream beds lie bare and dry. [18] Caravans get lost looking for water; they wander and die in the desert. [19] Caravans from Sheba and Tema search, [20] but their hope dies beside dry streams. [21] You are like those streams to me, you see my fate and draw back in fear. [22] Have I asked you to give me a gift or to bribe someone on my behalf [23] or to save me from some enemy or tyrant? [24] All right, teach me; tell me my faults. I will be quiet and listen to you. [25] Honest words are convincing, but you are talking nonsense. [26] You think I am talking nothing but wind; then why do you answer my words of despair? [27] You would even roll dice for orphan slaves and make yourselves rich off your closest friends! [28] Look me in the face. I won't lie. [29] You have gone far enough. Stop being unjust. Don't condemn me. I'm in the right. [30] But you think I am lying- you think I can't tell right from wrong.
