Job 6
1 Then Job answered and said,
Then Job answered,
2 “Oh, if only my anguish were weighed; if only all my calamity were laid in the balance!
"Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances.
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas. That is why my words were reckless.
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore have my words been rash.
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 Shaddai are within me. My spirit drinks up their poison. The terrors of God set themselves in array 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 wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?
6 Can that which has no taste be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 I refuse to touch them; they are like disgusting food to me.
My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.
8 Oh, that I might have my request; oh, that God would grant me the thing I long for:
"Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,
9 that it would please God to crush me once, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off from this life!
even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me 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.
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.
11 What is my strength, that I should try to wait? What is my end, that I should prolong my life?
What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?
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 of bronze?
13 Is it not true that I have no help in myself, and that wisdom has been driven out of me?
Isn't it that I have no help in me, That wisdom is driven quite 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.
"To the despairing, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of Shaddai.
15 But my brothers have been as faithful to me as a desert streambed, as channels of water that pass away to nothing,
My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;
16 which are darkened because of ice over them, and because of the snow that hides itself in them.
Which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.
17 When they thaw out, they vanish; when it is hot, they melt out of their place.
In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 The caravans that travel by their way turn aside for water; they wander into barren land and then perish.
The caravans that travel beside them turn aside. They go up into the waste, and perish.
19 Caravans from Tema looked there, while companies of Sheba hoped in them.
The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 They were disappointed because they had been confident of finding water. They went there, but they were deceived.
They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.
21 For now you friends are nothing to me; you see my dreadful situation and are afraid.
For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.
22 Did I say to you, 'Give something to me?' Or, 'Offer me a gift from your wealth?'
Did I say, 'Give to me?' or, 'Offer a present for me from your substance?'
23 Or, 'Save me from my adversary's hand?' Or, 'Ransom me from the hand of my oppressors?'
or, 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand?' or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?'
24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace; make me understand where I have been wrong.
"Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How painful are truthful words! But your arguments, how do they actually rebuke me?
How forcible are words of uprightness. But your reproof, what does it reprove?
26 Do you plan to ignore my words, treating the words of a desperate man like the wind?
Do you intend to reprove words, seeing that the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
27 Indeed, you cast lots for a fatherless child, and haggle over your friend like merchandise.
Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.
28 Now, therefore, please look at me, for surely I would not lie to your face.
Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I shall not lie to your face.
29 Relent, I beg you; let there be no injustice with you; Indeed, relent, for my cause is just.
Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.
30 Is there evil on my tongue? Cannot my mouth detect malicious things?
Is there injustice on my tongue? Can't my taste discern mischievous things?
