Job 6 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

2 “Oh that my vexation were weighed,

and all my calamity laid in the balances!

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

therefore my words have been rash.

4 For 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?[fn]

7 My appetite refuses to touch them;

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

8 “Oh that I might have my request,

and that God would fulfill my hope,

9 that it would 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[fn] in pain unsparing,

for I have not denied the words of 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 withholds[fn] kindness from a friend

forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

15 My brothers are treacherous as a torrent-bed,

as torrential 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 the waste and perish.

19 The caravans of Tema look,

the travelers of Sheba hope.

20 They are ashamed because they were confident;

they come there and are 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 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 wind?

27 You would even 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 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?