Job 6
1 Then Job responded:
Then Job answered,
2 “If my grief could be weighed and my troubles placed on the scales
“Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
3 they would be heavier than the sand of the sea. That's why I spoke so rashly.
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore my words have been rash.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; their poison saps my spirit. God's terrors are lined up 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 Don't wild donkeys bray when their grass is gone? Don't cattle groan when they don't have food!
Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?
6 Can something that's tasteless be eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the white of an egg?
Can that which has no flavour be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 I just can't touch any food—even the thought makes me feel sick!
My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.
8 Oh, if only I could have what I really want, that God would give me what I most desire—
“Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,
9 that God would be willing to crush me to death, that he would just let me die!
even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10 But it still comforts me to know, making me happy through the never-ending pain, that I have never rejected the words of God.
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 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?
What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?
12 Am I as strong as rock? Am I made out of bronze?
Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of bronze?
13 How can I help myself now that any chance of success is ripped away from me?
Isn’t it that I have no help in me, that wisdom is driven away from me?
14 Anyone who isn't kind to a friend has given up respecting the Almighty.
“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 brothers have acted as deceptively as a desert stream, rushing waters in the desert that vanish.
My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;
16 The stream floods when it is full of dark ice and melting snow,
which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.
17 but in the heat it dries up and disappears, vanishing from where it once was.
In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 Camel caravans turn aside to look for water, but don't find any and they die.
The caravans that travel beside them turn away. They go up into the waste, and perish.
19 Caravans from Tema looked, travelers from Sheba were confident,
The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 but their hopes were dashed—they came and found nothing.
They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.
21 Now you are no help, just like that—you see my trouble and you're afraid.
For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.
22 Have I asked you for anything? Have I told you to bribe anyone for me from your wealth?
Did I ever say, ‘Give to me’? or, ‘Offer a present for me from your substance’?
23 Have I asked you to rescue me from an enemy? Have I told you to save me from my oppressors?
or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’? or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors’?
24 Explain this to me, and I'll be quiet. Show me where I'm wrong.
“Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand my error.
25 Honest words are painful, but what do your arguments prove?
How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?
26 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?
Do you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
27 You would play dice to win an orphan; you would bargain away your friend!
Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.
28 Look me in the eye and see if I'm lying to your face!
Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I will not lie to your face.
29 Don't talk like this! Don't be unjust! What I'm saying is right.
Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.
30 I'm not telling lies—don't you think I wouldn't know if I was wrong?”
Is there injustice on my tongue? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?
