Job 6

1 Then Job answered,

Then Job responded:

2 "Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances.

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

3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore have my words been rash.

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

4 For the arrows of Shaddai are within me. My spirit drinks up their poison. 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 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?

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

6 Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste 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 refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.

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

8 "Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,

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

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 death, that he would just let me die!

10 Be it still my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn't spare, that I have not denied 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 What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?

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 of bronze?

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

13 Isn't it that I have no help in me, That wisdom is driven quite from me?

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

14 "To the despairing, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of Shaddai.

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

15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;

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

16 Which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.

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

17 In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

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

18 The caravans that travel beside them turn aside. They go up into the waste, and perish.

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

19 The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.

Caravans from Tema looked, travelers from Sheba were confident,

20 They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.

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

21 For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.

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

22 Did I say, 'Give to me?' or, 'Offer a present for me from 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 adversary's hand?' or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?'

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. Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

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

25 How forcible are words of uprightness. But your reproof, what does it reprove?

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

26 Do you intend to reprove words, seeing that the speeches of one who is desperate are as 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 Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.

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

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

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

29 Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.

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

30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Can't my taste discern mischievous things?

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