Job 6:1–30

¹Then Job replied:

²“If only my grief could be weighed

and placed with my calamity on the scales.

³For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas —

no wonder my words have been rash.

⁴For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me;

my spirit drinks in their poison;

the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

⁵Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass,

or an ox low over its fodder?

⁶Is tasteless food eaten without salt,

or is there flavor in the white of an egg^a?

⁷My soul refuses to touch them;

they are loathsome food to me.

⁸If only my request were granted

and God would fulfill my hope:

⁹that God would be willing to crush me,

to unleash His hand and cut me off!

¹⁰It still brings me comfort,

and joy through unrelenting pain,

that I have not denied

the words of the Holy One.

¹¹What strength do I have, that I should still hope?

What is my future, that I should be patient?

¹²Is my strength like that of stone,

or my flesh made of bronze?

¹³Is there any help within me

now that success is driven from me?

¹⁴A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend,

even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

¹⁵But my brothers are as faithless as wadis,

as seasonal streams that overflow,

¹⁶darkened because of the ice

and the inflow of melting snow,

¹⁷but ceasing in the dry season

and vanishing from their channels in the heat.

¹⁸Caravans turn aside from their routes;

they go into the wasteland and perish.

¹⁹The caravans of Tema look for water;

the travelers of Sheba hope to find it.

²⁰They are confounded because they had hoped;

their arrival brings disappointment.

²¹For now you are of no help;

you see terror, and you are afraid.

²²Have I ever said, ‘Give me something;

offer me a bribe from your wealth;

²³deliver me from the hand of the enemy;

redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’?

²⁴Teach me, and I will be silent.

Help me understand how I have erred.

²⁵How painful are honest words!

But what does your argument prove?

²⁶Do you intend to correct my words,

and treat as wind my cry of despair?

²⁷You would even cast lots for an orphan

and barter away your friend.

²⁸But now, please look at me.

Would I lie to your face?

²⁹Reconsider; do not be unjust.

Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.

³⁰Is there iniquity on my tongue?

Can my mouth not discern malice?’’