² Oh that my grief were throughly weighed,
and my calamity laid in the balances together!
³ For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea:
therefore my words are swallowed up.
⁴ For the arrows of the Almighty are within me,
the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit:
the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

⁸ Oh that I might have my request;
and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
⁹ Even that it would please God to destroy me;
that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
¹⁰ Then should I yet have comfort;
yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare;
for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
¹¹ What is my strength, that I should hope?
and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
¹² Is my strength the strength of stones?
or is my flesh of brass?
¹³ Is not my help in me?
and is wisdom driven quite from me?

¹⁴ To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend;
but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
¹⁵ My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook,
and as the stream of brooks they pass away;