Job 6
1 Then answered Job, and said,
Then Job responded:
2 Oh that my vexation could be truly weighed, and my calamity; oh that men might lift it up in the balances at once!
“If my grief could be weighed and my troubles placed on the scales
3 For now it is already heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore are my words confused.
they would be heavier than the sand of the sea. That's why I spoke so rashly.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof my spirit drinketh it: the terrors of God set themselves in array 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 Doth the wild ass bray over the grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
Don't wild donkeys bray when their grass is gone? Don't cattle groan when they don't have food!
6 Is ever tasteless food eaten without salt? or is there any flavor in the white of an egg?
Can something that's tasteless be eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 My soul refuseth to touch them: they are unto me like disgusting food.
I just can't touch any food—even the thought makes me feel sick!
8 Oh that some one would grant the accomplishment of my request; and that God would grant me the fulfillment of my hope!
Oh, if only I could have what I really want, that God would give me what I most desire—
9 Yea, that it would please God that he might crush me: that he would let loose his hand, and make an end of me!
that God would be willing to crush me to death, that he would just let me die!
10 Then would this be still my comfort; yea, I would rejoice in my pain while be would not spare: that I have not gainsaid the commands 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 What is my strength, that I should wait? and what my end, that I should yet longer retain my 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 Is the strength of stones my strength? or is my flesh brazen?
Am I as strong as rock? Am I made out of bronze?
13 Truly, am I not without my help in me? and is not wise counsel driven far away from me?
How can I help myself now that any chance of success is ripped away from me?
14 As though I were one who refuseth kindness to his friend, and forsaketh the fear of the Almighty:
Anyone who isn't kind to a friend has given up respecting the Almighty.
15 My brothers are treacherous as a brook, like flowing brooks they pass along;
My brothers have acted as deceptively as a desert stream, rushing waters in the desert that vanish.
16 Which are made turbid by reason of the ice, wherein the snow hideth itself;
The stream floods when it is full of dark ice and melting snow,
17 At the time when they feel the warmth, they vanish; when it is hot, they are quenched out of their place.
but in the heat it dries up and disappears, vanishing from where it once was.
18 The paths of their course wind themselves along; they go in the wilderness and are lost.
Camel caravans turn aside to look for water, but don't find any and they die.
19 The caravans of Thema look hither, the travelling companies Sheba hope for them;
Caravans from Tema looked, travelers from Sheba were confident,
20 But they stand ashamed because they had trusted; they come thither and are made to blush.
but their hopes were dashed—they came and found nothing.
21 For truly now ye are like such a one: ye see my terrible state and are afraid.
Now you are no help, just like that—you see my trouble and you're afraid.
22 Have I then ever said, Give me something, and out of your property offer a bribe in my behalf?
Have I asked you for anything? Have I told you to bribe anyone for me from your wealth?
23 And deliver me from the hand of the adversary? and redeem from the hand of tyrants?
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 indeed remain silent; and wherein I erred give me to understand.
Explain this to me, and I'll be quiet. Show me where I'm wrong.
25 How pleasant are straightforward words! but what doth arguing prove?
Honest words are painful, but what do your arguments prove?
26 Do ye think to reprove words, and [to regard] as wind the speeches of one that is despairing?
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 Yea, ye would cast any thing upon the fatherless, and ye would dig a pit against your friend.
You would play dice to win an orphan; you would bargain away your friend!
28 But now, if it please you, turn yourselves toward me, and [say] whether I would lie before your face.
Look me in the eye and see if I'm lying to your face!
29 Reflect again, I pray you, there will be no wrong: yea, reflect once more, my righteousness [will be found] therein.
Don't talk like this! Don't be unjust! What I'm saying is right.
30 Is there any wrong on my tongue? or should my palate not understand [if I spoke] what is iniquitous?
I'm not telling lies—don't you think I wouldn't know if I was wrong?”
