Job 6

1 And Job made answer and said,

Then Job responded:

2 If only my passion might be measured, and put into the scales against my trouble!

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

3 For then its weight would be more than the sand of the seas: because of this my words have been uncontrolled.

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

4 For the arrows of the Ruler of all are present with me, and their poison goes deep into my spirit: his army of fears is put in order against me.

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

5 Does the ass of the fields give out his voice when he has grass? or does the ox make sounds over his food?

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

6 Will a man take food which has no taste without salt? or is there any taste in the soft substance of purslain?

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

7 My soul has no desire for such things, they are as disease in my food.

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

8 If only I might have an answer to my prayer, and God would give me my desire!

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

9 If only he would be pleased to put an end to me; and would let loose his hand, so that I might be cut off!

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

10 So I would still have comfort, and I would have joy in the pains of death, for I have not been false to the words of the Holy One.

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 Have I strength to go on waiting, or have I any end to be looking forward to?

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 brass?

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

13 I have no help in myself, and wisdom is completely gone from me.

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

14 He whose heart is shut against his friend has given up the fear of the Ruler of all.

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

15 My friends have been false like a stream, like streams in the valleys which come to an end:

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

16 Which are dark because of the ice, and the snow falling into them;

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

17 Under the burning sun they are cut off, and come to nothing because of the heat.

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

18 The camel-trains go out of their way; they go up into the waste and come to destruction.

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

19 The camel-trains of Tema were searching with care, the bands of Sheba were waiting for them:

Caravans from Tema looked, travelers from Sheba were confident,

20 They were put to shame because of their hope; they came and their hope was gone.

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

21 So have you now become to me; you see my sad condition and are in fear.

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

22 Did I say, Give me something? or, Make a payment for me out of your wealth?

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

23 Or, Get me out of the power of my hater? or, Give money so that I may be free from the power of the cruel ones?

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

24 Give me teaching and I will be quiet; and make me see my error.

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

25 How pleasing are upright words! but what force is there in your arguments?

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

26 My words may seem wrong to you, but the words of him who has no hope are for the wind.

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 Truly, you are such as would give up the child of a dead man to his creditors, and would make a profit out of your friend.

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

28 Now then, let your eyes be turned to me, for truly I will not say what is false to your face.

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

29 Let your minds be changed, and do not have an evil opinion of me; yes, be changed, for my righteousness is still in me.

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

30 Is there evil in my tongue? is not the cause of my trouble clear to me?

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