Job 6

Job's Reply to Eliphaz

1 Then Job answered:

2 If only my grief could be weighed
and my devastation placed with it in the scales.
3 For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas!
That is why my words are rash.
4 Surely the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me;
my spirit drinks their poison.
God's terrors are arrayed against me.
5 Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass
or an ox low over its fodder?
6 Is bland food eaten without salt?
Is there flavor in an egg white?

7 I refuse to touch [them];
they are like contaminated food.

8 If only my request would be granted
and God would provide what I hope for:
9 that He would decide to crush me,
to unleash His power and cut me off!

10 It would still bring me comfort,
and I would leap for joy in unrelenting pain
that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 What strength do I have that I should continue to hope?
What is my future, that I should be patient?
12 Is my strength that of stone,
or my flesh made of bronze?

13 Since I cannot help myself,
[the hope for] success has been banished from me.

14 A despairing man should receive loyalty from his friends,
even if he abandons the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brothers are as treacherous as a wadi,
as seasonal streams that overflow
16 and become darkened because of ice,
and the snow melts into them.
17 The wadis evaporate in warm weather;
they disappear from their channels in hot weather.
18 Caravans turn away from their routes,
go up into the desert, and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema look [for these streams].
The traveling merchants of Sheba hope for them.
20 They are ashamed because they had been confident [of finding water].
When they arrive there, they are frustrated.
21 So [this] is what you have now become [to me].
When you see something dreadful, you are afraid.
22 Have I ever said: "Give me [something]"
or "Pay a bribe for me from your wealth"

23 or "Deliver me from the enemy's power"
or "Redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless"?

24 Teach me, and I will be silent.
Help me understand what I did wrong.
25 How painful honest words can be!
But what does your rebuke prove?
26 Do you think that you can disprove [my] words
or that a despairing man's words are [mere] wind?

27 No doubt you would cast [lots] for a fatherless child
and negotiate a price to [sell] your friend.

28 But now, please look at me;
would I lie to your face?
29 Reconsider; don't be unjust.
Reconsider; my righteousness is still the issue.

30 Is there injustice on my tongue
or can my palate not taste disaster?

Job 6

1 Then Job answered and said,

2 Oh that my vexation were but weighed, And all my calamity laid in the balances!

3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas: Therefore have my words been rash.

4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, The poison whereof my spirit drinketh up: The terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

5 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? Or loweth the ox over his fodder?

6 Can that which hath no savor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

7 My soul refuseth to touch them; They are as loathsome food to me.

8 Oh that I might have my request; And that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

9 Even that it would please God to crush me; That he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

10 And be it still my consolation, Yea, let me exult in pain that spareth not, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is mine end, that I should be patient?

12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?

13 Is it not that I have no help in me, And that wisdom is driven quite from me?

14 To him that is ready to faint kindness should be showed from his friend; Even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, As the channel of brooks that pass away;

16 Which are black by reason of the ice, And wherein the snow hideth itself:

17 What time they wax warm, they vanish; When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

18 The caravans that travel by the way of them turn aside; They go up into the waste, and perish.

19 The caravans of Tema looked, The companies of Sheba waited for them.

20 They were put to shame because they had hoped; They came thither, and were confounded.

21 For now ye are nothing; Ye see a terror, and are afraid.

22 Did I say, Give unto me? Or, Offer a present for me of your substance?

23 Or, Deliver me from the adversary’s hand? Or, Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?

24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace; And cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what doth it reprove?

26 Do ye think to reprove words, Seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind?

27 Yea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless, And make merchandise of your friend.

28 Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; For surely I shall not lie to your face.

29 Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; Yea, return again, my cause is righteous.

30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern mischievous things?