CHAPTER 6
1And Job spoke out and he said:
2Could my anguish but be weighed,
and my disaster on the scales be borne,
3they would be heavier now than the sand of the sea.
Thus my words are choked back.
4For Shaddai’s arrows are in me—
The terrors of God beset me.
5Does the wild ass bray over his grass,
the ox bellow over his feed?
6Is tasteless food eaten unsalted,
does the oozing of mallows have savor?
7 My throat refuses to touch them.
They resemble my sickening flesh.
8If only my wish were fulfilled,
and my hope God might grant.
9 If God would deign to crush me,
loose His hand and tear me apart.
10 And this still would be my comfort,
I shrink back in pangs—He spares not.
Yet I withhold not the Holy One’s words.
11What is my strength, that I should hope,
and what my end that I should endure?
12Is my strength the strength of stones,
is my flesh made of bronze?
13Indeed, there is no help within me,
and prudence is driven from me.
14 The blighted man’s friend owes him kindness,
though the fear of Shaddai he forsake.
15 My brothers betrayed like a wadi,
like the channel of brooks that run dry.
16 They are dark from the ice,
snow heaped on them.
17When they warm, they are gone,
in the heat they melt from their place.
18The paths that they go on are winding,
they mount in the void and are lost.
19The caravans of Tema looked out,
the convoys of Sheba awaited.
20Disappointed in what they had trusted,
they reached it and their hopes were dashed.
21For now you are His.
22Did I say, Give for me,
and with your wealth pay a ransom for me,
23and free me from the hands of the foe,
from the oppressors’ hands redeem me?
24Instruct me—as for me, I’ll keep silent,
and let me know where I went wrong.
25How forceful are honest words.
Yet what rebuke is the rebuke by you?
26Do you mean to rebuke with words,
treat the speech of the desperate as wind?
27Even for the orphan you cast lots,
and haggle for your companion.
28And now, deign to turn toward me.
To your face I will surely not lie.
29Relent, pray, let there be no injustice.
Relent. I am yet in the right.
30Is there injustice on my tongue?