Job 6

1 Then Job answered,

Then Job replied:

2 “Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!

“If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales.

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

For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas— no wonder my words have been rash.

4 For the arrows of the Almighty 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 have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

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

Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder?

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

Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg?

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

My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me.

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

If only my request were granted and God would fulfill my hope:

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

that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off!

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

It still brings me comfort, and joy through unrelenting pain, 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 strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

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

Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?

13 Isn’t it that I have no help in me, that wisdom is driven away from me?

Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me?

14 “To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he 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 are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow,

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

darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow,

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

but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat.

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

Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish.

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

The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it.

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

They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment.

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

For now you are of no help; you see terror, and you are afraid.

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

Have I ever said, ‘Give me something; offer me a bribe from your wealth;

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

deliver me from the hand of the enemy; redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’?

24 “Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand my error.

Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.

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

How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?

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

Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair?

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

You would even cast lots for an orphan and barter away your friend.

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

But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face?

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

Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.

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

Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice?