6
1 Then Job answered,
2 “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,
therefore my
words have been
rash.
4 For
the arrows of
the Almighty 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
when he has grass?
Or does the ox
low over his
fodder?
6 Can
that which has
no flavor be eaten
without salt?
Or is there any
taste in the
white of an
egg?
7 My
soul refuses to
touch them.
They are as
loathsome food to
me.
8 “Oh
that I might
have my request,
that God would
grant the thing
that I long for,
9 even that
it would please
God to crush
me;
that he would let
loose his hand,
and cut me
off!
10 Let
it still be
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
wait?
What is my
end, that I
should be patient?
12 Is
my strength the
strength of stones?
Or is my
flesh of bronze?
13 Isn’t it
that I have no
help in me,
that wisdom is
driven away from
me?
14 “To
him who is ready
to faint, kindness should
be shown from his
friend;
even to him
who forsakes the
fear of the
Almighty.
15 My brothers
have dealt deceitfully as a
brook,
as the channel of
brooks that pass
away;
16 which are
black by reason
of the ice,
in which the snow
hides itself.
17 In
the dry season,
they vanish.
When it is
hot, they are
consumed out of
their place.
18 The caravans
that travel beside them turn
away.
They go up
into the waste,
and perish.
19 The caravans
of Tema looked.
The companies of
Sheba waited
for them.
20 They were
distressed because they were
confident.
They came there,
and were confounded.
21 For
now you are
nothing.
You see a
terror, and are
afraid.
22 Did I ever
say, ‘Give to me’?
or, ‘Offer
a present for me
from your
substance’?
23 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.
Cause me to understand
my error.
25 How
forcible are words
of uprightness!
But your reproof,
what does it
reprove?
26 Do you
intend to reprove
words,
since the speeches
of one who is
desperate are as
wind?
27 Yes,
you would even
cast lots for the
fatherless,
and make merchandise of
your friend.
28 Now
therefore be
pleased to look
at me,
for surely I will
not lie to
your face.
29 Please
return.
Let there be
no injustice.
Yes, return again.
My cause is
righteous.
30 Is
there injustice on
my tongue?
Can’t my
taste discern mischievous
things?