For my sighing comes before I eat, and my groanings are poured out like water.

Shall they not teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?

Can the rush grow up without mire? Can a reed grow without water?

If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands ever so clean,

yet through the scent of water it will bud, and put forth boughs like a plant.

How much less one who is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks iniquity like water!

Thou have not given water to the weary to drink, and thou have withheld bread from the hungry.

Surely my lips shall not speak unrighteousness, nor shall my tongue utter deceit.

My words [shall utter] the uprightness of my heart, and that which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.

What man is like Job, who drinks up scorning like water,

For he draws up the drops of water, which distil in rain from his vapor,

Who has cleft a channel for the water flood, or the way for the lightning of the thunder,

Who can strip off his outer garment? Who shall come within his jaws?