Job 6
1 But Job answered, and said:
Then Job responded:
2 O that my sins, whereby I have deserved wrath, and the calamity that I suffer, were weighed in a balance.
“If my grief could be weighed and my troubles placed on the scales
3 As the sand of the sea this would appear heavier: therefore my words are full of sorrow:
they would be heavier than the sand of the sea. That's why I spoke so rashly.
4 For the arrows of the Lord are in me, the rage whereof drinketh up my spirit, and the terrors of the Lord war 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 Will the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or will the ox low when he standeth before a full manger?
Don't wild donkeys bray when their grass is gone? Don't cattle groan when they don't have food!
6 Or can an unsavoury thing be eaten, that is not seasoned with salt? or can a man taste that which when tasted bringeth death?
Can something that's tasteless be eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 The things which before my soul would not touch, now, through anguish are my meats.
I just can't touch any food—even the thought makes me feel sick!
8 Who will grant that my request may come: and that God may give me what I look for?
Oh, if only I could have what I really want, that God would give me what I most desire—
9 And that he that hath begun may destroy me, that he may let loose his hand, and cut me off?
that God would be willing to crush me to death, that he would just let me die!
10 And that this may be my comfort, that afflicting me with sorrow, he spare not, nor I contradict 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 For what is my strength, that I can hold out? or what is my end that I should keep patience?
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 My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh of brass.
Am I as strong as rock? Am I made out of bronze?
13 Behold there is no help for me in myself, and my familiar friends also are departed from me.
How can I help myself now that any chance of success is ripped away from me?
14 He that taketh away mercy from his friend, forsaketh the fear of the Lord.
Anyone who isn't kind to a friend has given up respecting the Almighty.
15 My brethren have passed by me, as the torrent that passeth swiftly in the valleys.
My brothers have acted as deceptively as a desert stream, rushing waters in the desert that vanish.
16 They that fear the hoary frost, the snow shall fall upon them.
The stream floods when it is full of dark ice and melting snow,
17 At the time when they shall be scattered they shall perish: and after it groweth hot they shall be melted out of their place.
but in the heat it dries up and disappears, vanishing from where it once was.
18 The paths of their steps are entangled: they shall walk in vain, and shall perish.
Camel caravans turn aside to look for water, but don't find any and they die.
19 Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.
Caravans from Tema looked, travelers from Sheba were confident,
20 They are confounded, because I have hoped: they are come also even unto me, and are covered with shame.
but their hopes were dashed—they came and found nothing.
21 Now you are come: and now seeing my affliction you are afraid.
Now you are no help, just like that—you see my trouble and you're afraid.
22 Did I say: Bring to me, and give me of your substance?
Have I asked you for anything? Have I told you to bribe anyone for me from your wealth?
23 Or deliver me from the hand of the enemy, and rescue me out of the hand of the mighty?
Have I asked you to rescue me from an enemy? Have I told you to save me from my oppressors?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace: and if I have been ignorant in any thing, instruct me.
Explain this to me, and I'll be quiet. Show me where I'm wrong.
25 Why have you detracted the words of truth, whereas there is none of you that can reprove me?
Honest words are painful, but what do your arguments prove?
26 You dress up speeches only to rebuke, and you utter words to 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 You rush in upon the fatherless, and you endeavour to overthrow your friend.
You would play dice to win an orphan; you would bargain away your friend!
28 However finish what you have begun, give ear, and see whether I lie.
Look me in the eye and see if I'm lying to your face!
29 Answer, I beseech you, without contention: and speaking that which is just, judge ye.
Don't talk like this! Don't be unjust! What I'm saying is right.
30 And you shall not And iniquity in my tongue, neither shall folly sound in my mouth.
I'm not telling lies—don't you think I wouldn't know if I was wrong?”
