Job, 6

¹ Job then said in reply:

² “If only my anguish could be fully weighed And put on scales together with my calamity!

³ For now it is heavier than the sands of the seas. That is why my words have been wild talk.^*1

⁴ For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me, And my spirit is drinking their venom; The terrors from God are lined up against me.

⁵ Will a wild donkey cry out when it has grass, Or will a bull bellow when it has fodder?

⁶ Is tasteless food eaten without salt, Or is there flavor in the juice of a mallow?

⁷ I have^*1 refused to touch such things. They are like contamination in my food.

⁸ O that my request would be realized And that God would grant my desire!

⁹ That God would be willing to crush me, And that he would reach out his hand and do away with me!

¹⁰ For even that would bring me comfort; I would leap for joy despite the unrelenting pain, For I have not denied the sayings of the Holy One.

¹¹ Do I have the strength to keep waiting? And what end awaits me, that I should continue to live?^*1

¹² Is my strength like that of rock? Or is my flesh made of copper?

¹³ Is there any way that I can help myself When all my means of support has been driven from me?

¹⁴ Anyone who withholds loyal love from his fellow man Will forsake the fear of the Almighty.

¹⁵ My own brothers have been as treacherous as a winter stream, Like the water of winter streams that dry up.

¹⁶ They are darkened by ice, And in them the melting snow is hidden.

¹⁷ But in due season they become waterless and come to an end; When it becomes hot, they dry up.

¹⁸ Their course is diverted; They flow into the desert and vanish.

¹⁹ The caravans of Teʹma look for them; The travelers from Sheʹba^*1 wait for them.

²⁰ They are ashamed because of their misplaced trust; They come there only to be disappointed.

²¹ For this is how you have become to me; You have seen the terror of my calamity, and you are afraid.

²² Have I said, ‘Give me something,’ Or requested that you make a gift for me from your wealth?

²³ Have I asked to be rescued from the hand of an enemy Or to be saved^*1 from oppressors?

²⁴ Instruct me, and I will be silent; Help me to understand my mistake.

²⁵ Honest words are not painful! But what benefit can be found in your reproof?

²⁶ Are you scheming to reprove my words, A desperate man’s sayings, which the wind blows away?

²⁷ You would also cast lots over an orphan And sell^*1 your own friend!

²⁸ So now turn and look at me, For I would not lie to your very faces.

²⁹ Reconsider, please—do not misjudge me— Yes, reconsider, for my righteousness is yet intact.

³⁰ Is my tongue speaking unjustly? Does my palate not discern that something is wrong?