Job 6

¹ Job’s First Reply. Then Job answered and said: ² Ah, could my anguish but be measured and my calamity laid with it in the scales, ³ They would now outweigh the sands of the sea! Because of this I speak without restraint. ⁴ For the arrows of the Almighty are in me, and my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me. ⁵ Does the wild donkey bray when it has grass? Does the ox low over its fodder? ⁶ Can anything insipid be eaten without salt? Is there flavor in the white of an egg? ⁷ I refuse to touch them; they are like loathsome food to me. ⁸ Oh, that I might have my request, and that God would grant what I long for: ⁹ Even that God would decide to crush me, that he would put forth his hand and cut me off! ¹⁰ Then I should still have consolation and could exult through unremitting pain, because I have not transgressed the commands of the Holy One. ¹¹ What strength have I that I should endure, and what is my limit that I should be patient? ¹² Have I the strength of stones, or is my flesh of bronze? ¹³ Have I no helper, and has my good sense deserted me? ¹⁴ A friend owes kindness to one in despair, though he has forsaken the fear of the Almighty. ¹⁵ My companions are undependable as a wadi, as watercourses that run dry in the wadies; ¹⁶ Though they may be black with ice, and with snow heaped upon them, ¹⁷ Yet once they flow, they cease to be; in the heat, they disappear from their place. ¹⁸ Caravans wander from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish. ¹⁹ The caravans of Tema search, the companies of Sheba have hopes; ²⁰ They are disappointed, though they were confident; they come there and are frustrated. ²¹ It is thus that you have now become for me; you see a terrifying thing and are afraid. ²² Have I said, “Give me something, make a bribe on my behalf from your possessions”? ²³ Or “Deliver me from the hand of the enemy, redeem me from oppressors”? ²⁴ Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have erred. ²⁵ How painful honest words can be; yet how unconvincing is your argument! ²⁶ Do you consider your words as proof, but the sayings of a desperate man as wind? ²⁷ You would even cast lots for the orphan, and would barter over your friend! ²⁸ Come, now, give me your attention; surely I will not lie to your face. ²⁹ Think it over; let there be no injustice. Think it over; I still am right. ³⁰ Is there insincerity on my tongue, or cannot my taste discern falsehood?