JOB 6 [†]Then Job answered and said:

2 “Oh that my vexation were weighed,

and all my calamity laid in the balances!

3 For then it would be heavier than  z the sand of the sea;

therefore my words have been rash.

4 For  a the arrows of the Almighty are in me;

my spirit drinks their poison;

the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass,

or the ox low over his fodder?

6 Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt,

or is there any taste in the juice of the mallow? [1]

7 My appetite refuses to touch them;

they are as food that is loathsome to me. [2]

8[†] “Oh that I might have my request,

and that God would fulfill my hope,

9 that it would  b please God to crush me,

that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!

10[†] This would be my comfort;

I would even exult [3] in pain  c unsparing,

for I have not denied the words of  d the Holy One.

11 What is my strength, that I should wait?

And what is my end, that I should be patient?

12 Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?

13 Have I any help in me,

when resource is driven from me?

14[†] “He who  e withholds [4] kindness from a  f friend

forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

15[^][†] My  g brothers are  h treacherous as a torrent-bed,

as torrential  i streams that pass away,

16 which are dark with ice,

and where the snow hides itself.

17 When they melt, they disappear;

when it is hot, they vanish from their place.

18 The caravans turn aside from their course;

they go up into  j the waste and perish.

19[†] The caravans of  k Tema look,

the travelers of  l Sheba hope.

20 They are  m ashamed because they were confident;

they come there and are  m disappointed.

21 For you have now become nothing;

you see my calamity and are afraid.

22 Have I said, ‘Make me a gift’?

Or, ‘From your wealth offer a bribe for me’?

23 Or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’?

Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of  n the ruthless’?

24 “Teach me, and I will be silent;

make me understand how I have gone astray.

25[†] How forceful are upright words!

But what does reproof from you reprove?

26 Do you think that you can reprove words,

when the speech of a despairing man is  o wind?

27 You would even  p cast lots over the fatherless,

and bargain over your friend.

28[†] “But now, be pleased to look at me,

for I will not lie to your face.

29  q Please turn; let no injustice be done.

Turn now; my vindication is at stake.

30 Is there any injustice on my tongue?

Cannot my palate discern the cause of calamity?