Job 6
1 Then Job spoke again, saying [to Eliphaz],
But Job, responding, said:
2 “If all my troubles and misery could be put on a scale and weighed,
I wish that my sins, for which I deserve wrath, and the calamity that I endure, were weighed out on a balance.
3 they would be heavier than all the sands [on the shores] of the oceans. That is why I spoke (very rashly/without thinking clearly) [about the day that I was born].
Compared to the sand of the sea, they would appear heavier, and so my words are full of sorrow.
4 [It is as though] Almighty [God] has shot me with arrows. [It is as though] those arrows had poison on their tips, and that poison has gone into my spirit. The things that God has done to me have terrified me.
For the arrows of the Lord are in me, my spirit drinks of their indignation, and the terrors of the Lord are soldiers against me.
5 Just like a wild donkey does not [complain by] braying when it has plenty of grass to eat, and an ox does not [complain by] bellowing when it has food to eat [MET], [I would not complain if you were really helping/comforting me].
Will the wild ass bray when he has grass? Or will the ox bellow when he stands before a full manger?
6 People complain [RHQ] when they must eat food which has no salt or other tasteless food [MET], [and that is what your words are like, Eliphaz].
Or can one eat bland food, which is not seasoned with salt? Or can anyone taste that which, if tasted, causes death?
7 Just like I do not want to eat food [like that], and I loathe/detests that kind of food [MET], [I do not appreciate what you have said to me].
The things that my soul was unwilling to touch before, now, because of anguish, are my foods.
8 “I wish that God would do for me what I have requested from him [DOU].
Who will grant that my petition may arrive and that God may bestow on me what I expect,
9 I wish that he would crush me [and let me die]. I wish that he would reach out his hand and take away my life.
and that he who, at first, had crushed me, will let loose his hand and cut me down?
10 If he would do that, I would be comforted by knowing that in spite of the great pain that I have suffered, I have always obeyed what [God, ] the Holy One, has commanded.
And may this be my consolation, that in afflicting me with sorrow, although he might not be lenient with me, I still do not contradict the words of the Holy One.
11 But now I do not have [RHQ] enough strength to endure all these things. And since I have nothing [to hope for] in (the future/this life), it is difficult for me to be patient now [RHQ].
For what is my strength, that I may continue? Or what is my goal, so that I may act patiently?
12 I am not [RHQ] strong like rocks are, and my body is not made of bronze.
My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh made of bronze.
13 So I am not able to help myself, and [it seems that] there is no one to rescue me.”
Behold, there is no help for me in myself, and my loved ones also have withdrawn from me.
14 “When a man has many troubles, his friends should be kind to him, even if he stops revering Almighty [God].
He who takes away mercy from his friend, abandons the fear of the Lord.
15 But [you, ] my friends, are not dependable. You are like streams: They spill over their banks [in the spring]
My brethren have disregarded me, like a torrent that passes swiftly through the steep valleys.
16 when [the melting] ice and snow make those streams overflow,
Those who fear frost, snow will rush over them.
17 but when the dry season comes, there is no water flowing [in those streams], and the channels dry up.
At that time, when they are scattered, they will perish, and when it becomes hot, they will be freed from their place.
18 [The caravans of merchants] turn off the path [to search for some water], but there is no water, so they die [in the desert].
The paths of their steps are entangled; they will walk in vain and will perish.
19 The men in those caravans search [for some water] because they are sure that they will find some.
Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.
20 But they do not find any, so they are very disappointed.
They have been thrown into confusion, just as I had hoped; they have even come to me and are overwhelmed with shame.
21 Similarly, you friends have not helped me at all! You have seen that terrible things have happened to me, and you are afraid [that God might do similar things to you].
Now you have arrived, and merely by seeing my affliction, you are afraid.
22 [After I lost all my wealth, ] did I ask any of you for money? [RHQ] Did I plead with any of you to spend some of your money to help me [RHQ]?
Did I say: “Bring to me and give to me from your necessities?”
23 Have I asked any of you to rescue me from my enemies [RHQ]? Have I asked you to save me from those who (oppressed me/treated me badly) [RHQ]? [No!]”
or, “Free me from the hand of the enemy and rescue me from the hand of the strong?”
24 “Answer me [now, and then] I will be quiet; tell me what wrong things I have done!
Teach me, and I will be silent, and if by chance I have been ignorant of anything, instruct me.
25 When people speak what is true, that will not hurt the person who hears it, but what you say, criticizing me, [is not true, so your saying it] proves nothing [RHQ]!
Why have you diminished the words of truth, when there is none of you who is able to offer proof against me?
26 I am a man who has nothing to hope for, but you try to correct me, and you think what I say is nothing but wind [RHQ]!
You prepare speeches as so much noise, and you offer words into the wind.
27 You do not sympathize with me at all [for all that I am suffering]. [You are heartless!] You would even gamble to see who gets an orphan [as a prize]!
You encroach upon the orphan, and you strive to undermine your friend.
28 Please look at me! I will not [RHQ] lie to you.
Such is true, so finish what you have begun. Listen closely, and see if I lie.
29 Stop [saying that I have sinned, and] stop criticizing me unjustly! You should realize that I have not done things that are wrong.
Respond, I beg you, without contention, and, speaking what is just, pass judgment.
30 Do you think that I am lying? No, I am not lying, because I know what is right and what is wrong [RHQ].”
And you will not find iniquity on my tongue, nor will foolishness resound in my throat.
