Job 6
1 Then Job answered and said,
And Job made answer and said,
2 “Oh, if only my anguish were weighed; if only all my calamity were laid in the balance!
If only my passion might be measured, and put into the scales against my trouble!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas. That is why my words were reckless.
For then its weight would be more than the sand of the seas: because of this my words have been uncontrolled.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks up the poison; the terrors of God have arranged themselves in array against me.
For the arrows of the Ruler of all are present with me, and their poison goes deep into my spirit: his army of fears is put in order against me.
5 Does the wild donkey bray in despair when he has grass? Or does the ox low in hunger when it has fodder?
Does the ass of the fields give out his voice when he has grass? or does the ox make sounds over his food?
6 Can that which has no taste be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
Will a man take food which has no taste without salt? or is there any taste in the soft substance of purslain?
7 I refuse to touch them; they are like disgusting food to me.
My soul has no desire for such things, they are as disease in my food.
8 Oh, that I might have my request; oh, that God would grant me the thing I long for:
If only I might have an answer to my prayer, and God would give me my desire!
9 that it would please God to crush me once, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off from this life!
If only he would be pleased to put an end to me; and would let loose his hand, so that I might be cut off!
10 May this still be my consolation— even if I exult in pain that does not lessen: that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
So I would still have comfort, and I would have joy in the pains of death, for I have not been false to the words of the Holy One.
11 What is my strength, that I should try to wait? What is my end, that I should prolong my life?
Have I strength to go on waiting, or have I any end to be looking forward to?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh made of bronze?
Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh brass?
13 Is it not true that I have no help in myself, and that wisdom has been driven out of me?
I have no help in myself, and wisdom is completely gone from me.
14 To the person who is about to faint, faithfulness should be shown by his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
He whose heart is shut against his friend has given up the fear of the Ruler of all.
15 But my brothers have been as faithful to me as a desert streambed, as channels of water that pass away to nothing,
My friends have been false like a stream, like streams in the valleys which come to an end:
16 which are darkened because of ice over them, and because of the snow that hides itself in them.
Which are dark because of the ice, and the snow falling into them;
17 When they thaw out, they vanish; when it is hot, they melt out of their place.
Under the burning sun they are cut off, and come to nothing because of the heat.
18 The caravans that travel by their way turn aside for water; they wander into barren land and then perish.
The camel-trains go out of their way; they go up into the waste and come to destruction.
19 Caravans from Tema looked there, while companies of Sheba hoped in them.
The camel-trains of Tema were searching with care, the bands of Sheba were waiting for them:
20 They were disappointed because they had been confident of finding water. They went there, but they were deceived.
They were put to shame because of their hope; they came and their hope was gone.
21 For now you friends are nothing to me; you see my dreadful situation and are afraid.
So have you now become to me; you see my sad condition and are in fear.
22 Did I say to you, 'Give something to me?' Or, 'Offer me a gift from your wealth?'
Did I say, Give me something? or, Make a payment for me out of your wealth?
23 Or, 'Save me from my adversary's hand?' Or, 'Ransom me from the hand of my oppressors?'
Or, Get me out of the power of my hater? or, Give money so that I may be free from the power of the cruel ones?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace; make me understand where I have been wrong.
Give me teaching and I will be quiet; and make me see my error.
25 How painful are truthful words! But your arguments, how do they actually rebuke me?
How pleasing are upright words! but what force is there in your arguments?
26 Do you plan to ignore my words, treating the words of a desperate man like the wind?
My words may seem wrong to you, but the words of him who has no hope are for the wind.
27 Indeed, you cast lots for a fatherless child, and haggle over your friend like merchandise.
Truly, you are such as would give up the child of a dead man to his creditors, and would make a profit out of your friend.
28 Now, therefore, please look at me, for surely I would not lie to your face.
Now then, let your eyes be turned to me, for truly I will not say what is false to your face.
29 Relent, I beg you; let there be no injustice with you; Indeed, relent, for my cause is just.
Let your minds be changed, and do not have an evil opinion of me; yes, be changed, for my righteousness is still in me.
30 Is there evil on my tongue? Cannot my mouth detect malicious things?
Is there evil in my tongue? is not the cause of my trouble clear to me?
