² “Oh that my vexation were weighed,
    and all my calamity laid in the balances!
³ For then it would be heavier than ^(A)the sand of the sea;
    therefore my words have been rash.
⁴ For ^(B)the arrows of the Almighty are in me;
    my spirit drinks their poison;
    the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

⁸ “Oh that I might have my request,
    and that God would fulfill my hope,
⁹ that it would ^(A)please God to crush me,
    that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!
¹⁰ This would be my comfort;
    I would even exult^[a] in pain ^(B)unsparing,
    for I have not denied the words of ^(C)the Holy One.
¹¹ What is my strength, that I should wait?
    And what is my end, that I should be patient?
¹² Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?
¹³ Have I any help in me,
    when resource is driven from me?

¹⁴ “He who ^(D)withholds^[b] kindness from a ^(E)friend
    forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
¹⁵ My ^(F)brothers are ^(G)treacherous as a torrent-bed,
    as torrential ^(H)streams that pass away,