Job 6
1 Then Job answered and said:
Then Job replied:
2 O that my grief were weighed thoroughly! That my calamities were put together in the balance!
“If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales.
3 Surely they would be heavier than the sand of the sea; On this account were my words rash.
For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas— no wonder my words have been rash.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; Their poison drinketh up my spirit; The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.
For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
5 Doth the wild ass bray in the midst of grass? Or loweth the ox over his fodder?
Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder?
6 Can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the white of an egg?
Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg?
7 That which my soul abhorreth to touch Hath become my loathsome food.
My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me.
8 O that I might have my request, And that God would grant me that which I long for!
If only my request were granted and God would fulfill my hope:
9 That it would please God to destroy me; That he would let loose his hand, and make an end of me!
that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off!
10 Yet it should still be my consolation, Yea, in unsparing anguish I would exult, That I have not denied the commands of the Holy One.
It still brings me comfort, and joy through unrelenting pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 What is my strength, that I should hope? And what mine end, that I should be patient?
What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh brass?
Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?
13 Alas, there is no help within me! Deliverance is driven from me!
Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me?
14 To the afflicted, kindness should be shown by a friend; Else he casteth off the fear of the Almighty.
A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 But my brethren are faithless like a brook; Like streams of the valley that pass away;
But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow,
16 Which are turbid by reason of the ice, And the snow, which hideth itself in them.
darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow,
17 As soon as they flow forth, they vanish; When the heat cometh, they are dried up from their place.
but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat.
18 The caravans turn aside to them on their way; They go up into the desert, and perish.
Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema look for them; The companies of Sheba expect to see them;
The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it.
20 They are ashamed that they have relied on them; They come to their place, and are confounded.
They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment.
21 So ye also are nothing; Ye see a terror, and shrink back.
For now you are of no help; you see terror, and you are afraid.
22 Have I said, Bring me gifts? Or, Give a present for me out of your substance?
Have I ever said, ‘Give me something; offer me a bribe from your wealth;
23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? Or, Rescue me from the hand of the violent?
deliver me from the hand of the enemy; redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’?
24 Convince me, and I will hold my peace; Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.
25 How powerful are the words of truth! But what do your reproaches prove?
How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?
26 Do ye mean to censure words? The words of a man in despair are but wind.
Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair?
27 Truly ye spread a net for the fatherless; Ye dig a pit for your friend.
You would even cast lots for an orphan and barter away your friend.
28 Look now upon me, I pray you; For to your very face can I speak falsehood?
But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face?
29 Return, I pray, and let there be no unfairness; Yea, return; —still is my cause righteous.
Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.
30 Is there iniquity on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern what is sinful?
Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice?
