Job 6

1 But Job answered and said,

Then Job responded:

2 Oh that one would indeed weigh the wrath that is upon me, and take up my griefs in a balance together!

“If my grief could be weighed and my troubles placed on the scales

3 And verily they would be heavier than the sand by the seashore: but, as it seems, my words are vain.

they would be heavier than the sand of the sea. That's why I spoke so rashly.

4 For the arrows of the Lord are in my body, whose violence drinks up my blood: whenever I am going to speak, they pierce me.

For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; their poison saps my spirit. God's terrors are lined up against me.

5 What then? will the wild ass bray for nothing, if he is not seeking food? or again, will the ox low at the manger, when he has a fodder?

Don't wild donkeys bray when their grass is gone? Don't cattle groan when they don't have food!

6 Shall bread be eaten without salt? or again, is there taste in empty words?

Can something that's tasteless be eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the white of an egg?

7 For my wrath can’t cease; for I perceive my food as the smell of a lion [to be] loathsome.

I just can't touch any food—even the thought makes me feel sick!

8 For oh that he would grant [my desire], and my petition might come, and the Lord would grant my hope!

Oh, if only I could have what I really want, that God would give me what I most desire—

9 Let the Lord begin and wound me, but let him not utterly destroy me.

that God would be willing to crush me to death, that he would just let me die!

10 Let the grave be my city, upon the walls of which I have leapt: I will not shrink from it; for I have not denied the holy words of my God.

But it still comforts me to know, making me happy through the never-ending pain, that I have never rejected the words of God.

11 For what is my strength, that I continue? what is my time, that my soul endures?

Why should I go on waiting when I don't have the strength? Why should I keep going when I don't know what is going to happen to me?

12 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?

Am I as strong as rock? Am I made out of bronze?

13 Or have I not trusted in him? but help is [far] from me.

How can I help myself now that any chance of success is ripped away from me?

14 Mercy has rejected me; and the visitation of the Lord has disregarded me.

Anyone who isn't kind to a friend has given up respecting the Almighty.

15 My nearest relations have not regarded me; they have passed me by like a failing brook, or like a wave.

My brothers have acted as deceptively as a desert stream, rushing waters in the desert that vanish.

16 They who used to reverence me, now have come against me like snow or congealed ice.

The stream floods when it is full of dark ice and melting snow,

17 When it has melted at the approach of heat, it is not known what it was.

but in the heat it dries up and disappears, vanishing from where it once was.

18 Thus I also have been deserted of all; and I am ruined, and become an outcast.

Camel caravans turn aside to look for water, but don't find any and they die.

19 Behold the ways of the Thaemanites, you that mark the paths of the Sabaeans.

Caravans from Tema looked, travelers from Sheba were confident,

20 They too that trust in cities and riches shall come to shame.

but their hopes were dashed—they came and found nothing.

21 But you also have come to me without pity; so that beholding my wound you are afraid.

Now you are no help, just like that—you see my trouble and you're afraid.

22 What? have I made any demand of you? or do I ask for strength from you,

Have I asked you for anything? Have I told you to bribe anyone for me from your wealth?

23 to deliver me from enemies, or to rescue me from the hand of the mighty ones?

Have I asked you to rescue me from an enemy? Have I told you to save me from my oppressors?

24 Teach you me, and I will be silent: if in anything I have erred, tell me.

Explain this to me, and I'll be quiet. Show me where I'm wrong.

25 But as it seems, the words of a true man are vain, because I do not ask strength of you.

Honest words are painful, but what do your arguments prove?

26 Neither will your reproof cause me to cease my words, for neither will I endure the sound of your speech.

Are you going to argue over what I said, when the words of someone in despair should be left to blow away in the wind?

27 Even because you attack the fatherless, and insult your friend.

You would play dice to win an orphan; you would bargain away your friend!

28 But now, having looked upon your countenances, I will not lie.

Look me in the eye and see if I'm lying to your face!

29 Sit down now, and let there not be unrighteousness; and unite again with the just.

Don't talk like this! Don't be unjust! What I'm saying is right.

30 For there is no injustice in my tongue; and does not my throat meditate understanding?

I'm not telling lies—don't you think I wouldn't know if I was wrong?”