For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore my words are vehement.

Oh that I might have my request, and that +God would grant my desire!

And that it would please +God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!

Then should I yet have comfort; and in the pain which spareth not I would rejoice that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

Whilst he would fill thy mouth with laughing and thy lips with shouting,

Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer; I would make supplication to my judge.

If I had called, and he had answered me, I would not believe that he hearkened to my voice, --

If I justified myself, mine own mouth would condemn me; were I perfect, he would prove me perverse.

Were I perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.

Then wouldest thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes would abhor me.

But oh that +God would speak, and open his lips against thee;

And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, how that they are the double of what is realised; and know that +God passeth by much of thine iniquity!

Oh that ye would be altogether silent! and it would be your wisdom.

Behold, if he slay me, yet would I trust in him; but I will defend mine own ways before him.

(If a man die, shall he live again?) all the days of my time of toil would I wait, till my change should come:

Thou wouldest call, and I would answer thee; thou wouldest have a desire after the work of thy hands.

But I would encourage you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips should assuage your pain.

Oh would that my words were written! oh that they were inscribed in a book!

I would order the cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments;

I would know the words he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

Would he plead against me with his great power? Nay; but he would give heed unto me.

There would an upright man reason with him; and I should be delivered for ever from my judge.

And God shall cast upon him and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand.

But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to set with the dogs of my flock.

For what would have been my portion of +God from above, and what the heritage of the Almighty from on high?

For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase.

This also would be an iniquity for the judge, for I should have denied the God who is above.

Would I not take it upon my shoulder? I would bind it on to me as a crown;

I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I come near to him.

For I know not how to flatter; my Maker would soon take me away.

All flesh would expire together, and man would return to the dust.

Because they have turned back from him, and would consider none of his ways;

Would that Job may be tried unto the end, because of his answers after the manner of evil men!

Even so would he have allured thee out of the jaws of distress into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and the supply of thy table would be full of fatness.

Shall it be told him if I would speak? if a man so say, surely he shall be swallowed up.

He maketh the path to shine after him: one would think the deep to be hoary.