Job 6

1 But Job, responding, said:

Then Job answered,

2 I wish that my sins, for which I deserve wrath, and the calamity that I endure, were weighed out on a balance.

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

3 Compared to the sand of the sea, they would appear heavier, and so my words are full of sorrow.

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

4 For the arrows of the Lord are in me, my spirit drinks of their indignation, and the terrors of the Lord are soldiers against me.

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.

5 Will the wild ass bray when he has grass? Or will the ox bellow when he stands before a full manger?

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

6 Or can one eat bland food, which is not seasoned with salt? Or can anyone taste that which, if tasted, causes death?

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

7 The things that my soul was unwilling to touch before, now, because of anguish, are my foods.

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

8 Who will grant that my petition may arrive and that God may bestow on me what I expect,

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

9 and that he who, at first, had crushed me, will let loose his hand and cut me down?

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

10 And may this be my consolation, that in afflicting me with sorrow, although he might not be lenient with me, I still do not contradict the words of the Holy One.

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.

11 For what is my strength, that I may continue? Or what is my goal, so that I may act patiently?

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

12 My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh made of bronze.

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

13 Behold, there is no help for me in myself, and my loved ones also have withdrawn from me.

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

14 He who takes away mercy from his friend, abandons the fear of the Lord.

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

15 My brethren have disregarded me, like a torrent that passes swiftly through the steep valleys.

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

16 Those who fear frost, snow will rush over them.

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

17 At that time, when they are scattered, they will perish, and when it becomes hot, they will be freed from their place.

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

18 The paths of their steps are entangled; they will walk in vain and will perish.

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

19 Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.

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

20 They have been thrown into confusion, just as I had hoped; they have even come to me and are overwhelmed with shame.

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

21 Now you have arrived, and merely by seeing my affliction, you are afraid.

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

22 Did I say: “Bring to me and give to me from your necessities?”

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

23 or, “Free me from the hand of the enemy and rescue me from the hand of the strong?”

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

24 Teach me, and I will be silent, and if by chance I have been ignorant of anything, instruct me.

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

25 Why have you diminished the words of truth, when there is none of you who is able to offer proof against me?

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

26 You prepare speeches as so much noise, and you offer words into the wind.

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

27 You encroach upon the orphan, and you strive to undermine your friend.

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

28 Such is true, so finish what you have begun. Listen closely, and see if I lie.

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

29 Respond, I beg you, without contention, and, speaking what is just, pass judgment.

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

30 And you will not find iniquity on my tongue, nor will foolishness resound in my throat.

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