Job 6

1 Then Job answered and said:

Then Job replied:

2 Oh that my vexation were but weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances altogether!

“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 are my words broken.

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, the poison whereof my spirit drinketh up; the terrors of God do 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 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?

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

6 Can that which hath no savour be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the juice of mallows?

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

7 My soul refuseth to touch them; they are as the sickness of my flesh.

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

8 Oh that I might have my request, and that God would grant me 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 Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would exult in pain, though He spare not; for 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? and what is mine 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 brass?

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

13 Is it that I have no help in me, and that sound wisdom is driven quite from me?

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

14 To him that is ready to faint kindness is due from his friend, even to him that forsaketh 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 brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that overflow,

But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow,

16 Which are black by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow hideth itself;

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

17 What time they wax warm, 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 paths of their way do wind, they go up into the waste, and are lost.

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 ashamed because they had hoped; they came thither, and were confounded.

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

21 For now ye are become His; ye see a terror, and are afraid.

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

22 Did I say: 'Give unto me'? or: 'Offer a present for me of 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; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

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

25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But what doth your arguing argue?

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

26 Do ye hold words to be an argument, but the speeches of one that is desperate to be wind?

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

27 Yea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless, and dig a pit for your friend.

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

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

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

29 Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; yea, 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? Cannot my taste discern crafty devices?

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