Job 6

1 Then Job answered,

Then Job answered and said,

2 "Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances.

“Oh, if only my anguish were weighed; if only all my calamity were laid in the balance!

3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore have my words been rash.

For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas. That is why my words were reckless.

4 For the arrows of Shaddai are within me. My spirit drinks up their poison. The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.

For the arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks up the poison; the terrors of God have arranged themselves in array against me.

5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?

Does the wild donkey bray in despair when he has grass? Or does the ox low in hunger when it has fodder?

6 Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

Can that which has no taste be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

7 My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.

I refuse to touch them; they are like disgusting food to me.

8 "Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,

Oh, that I might have my request; oh, that God would grant me the thing I long for:

9 even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off.

that it would please God to crush me once, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off from this life!

10 Be it still my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn't spare, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

May this still be my consolation— even if I exult in pain that does not lessen: that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?

What is my strength, that I should try to wait? What is my end, that I should prolong my life?

12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of bronze?

Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh made of bronze?

13 Isn't it that I have no help in me, That wisdom is driven quite from me?

Is it not true that I have no help in myself, and that wisdom has been driven out of me?

14 "To the despairing, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of Shaddai.

To the person who is about to faint, faithfulness should be shown by his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;

But my brothers have been as faithful to me as a desert streambed, as channels of water that pass away to nothing,

16 Which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.

which are darkened because of ice over them, and because of the snow that hides itself in them.

17 In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

When they thaw out, they vanish; when it is hot, they melt out of their place.

18 The caravans that travel beside them turn aside. They go up into the waste, and perish.

The caravans that travel by their way turn aside for water; they wander into barren land and then perish.

19 The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.

Caravans from Tema looked there, while companies of Sheba hoped in them.

20 They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.

They were disappointed because they had been confident of finding water. They went there, but they were deceived.

21 For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.

For now you friends are nothing to me; you see my dreadful situation and are afraid.

22 Did I say, 'Give to me?' or, 'Offer a present for me from your substance?'

Did I say to you, 'Give something to me?' Or, 'Offer me a gift from your wealth?'

23 or, 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand?' or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?'

Or, 'Save me from my adversary's hand?' Or, 'Ransom me from the hand of my oppressors?'

24 "Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

Teach me, and I will hold my peace; make me understand where I have been wrong.

25 How forcible are words of uprightness. But your reproof, what does it reprove?

How painful are truthful words! But your arguments, how do they actually rebuke me?

26 Do you intend to reprove words, seeing that the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?

Do you plan to ignore my words, treating the words of a desperate man like the wind?

27 Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.

Indeed, you cast lots for a fatherless child, and haggle over your friend like merchandise.

28 Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I shall not lie to your face.

Now, therefore, please look at me, for surely I would not lie to your face.

29 Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.

Relent, I beg you; let there be no injustice with you; Indeed, relent, for my cause is just.

30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Can't my taste discern mischievous things?

Is there evil on my tongue? Cannot my mouth detect malicious things?