Add parallel Print Page Options

Then Job answered,

“Oh that my anguish were weighed,
    and all my calamity laid in the balances!
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas,
    therefore my words have been rash.
For the arrows of the Almighty are within me.
    My spirit drinks up their poison.
The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.
    Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass?
Or does the ox low over his fodder?
    Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt?
Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
    My soul refuses to touch them.
They are as loathsome food to me.

“Oh that I might have my request,
    that God would grant the thing that I long for,
even that it would please God to crush me;
    that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10 Let it still be my consolation,
    yes, let me exult in pain that doesn’t spare,
    that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 What is my strength, that I should wait?
    What is my end, that I should be patient?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones?
    Or is my flesh of bronze?
13 Isn’t it that I have no help in me,
    that wisdom is driven away from me?

14 “To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend;
    even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook,
    as the channel of brooks that pass away;
16 Which are black by reason of the ice,
    in which the snow hides itself.
17 In the dry season, they vanish.
    When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 The caravans that travel beside them turn away.
    They go up into the waste, and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema looked.
    The companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 They were distressed because they were confident.
    They came there, and were confounded.
21 For now you are nothing.
    You see a terror, and are afraid.
22 Did I say, ‘Give to me?’
    or, ‘Offer a present for me from 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.
    Cause me to understand my error.
25 How forcible are words of uprightness!
    But your reproof, what does it reprove?
26 Do you intend to reprove words,
    since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
27 Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless,
    and make merchandise of your friend.
28 Now therefore be pleased to look at me,
    for surely I will not lie to your face.
29 Please return.
    Let there be no injustice.
    Yes, return again.
    My cause is righteous.
30 Is there injustice on my tongue?
    Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?

Job Replies: My Complaint Is Just

Then Job answered and said:

“Oh that my vexation were weighed,
    and all my calamity laid in the balances!
For then it would be heavier than (A)the sand of the sea;
    therefore my words have been rash.
For (B)the arrows of the Almighty are in me;
    my spirit drinks their poison;
    the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass,
    or the ox low over his fodder?
Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt,
    or is there any taste in the juice of the mallow?[a]
My appetite refuses to touch them;
    they are as food that is loathsome to me.[b]

“Oh that I might have my request,
    and that God would fulfill my hope,
that it would (C)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[c] in pain (D)unsparing,
    for I have not denied the words of (E)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 (F)withholds[d] kindness from a (G)friend
    forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My (H)brothers are (I)treacherous as a torrent-bed,
    as torrential (J)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 (K)the waste and perish.
19 The caravans of (L)Tema look,
    the travelers of (M)Sheba hope.
20 They are (N)ashamed because they were confident;
    they come there and are (O)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 (P)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 (Q)wind?
27 You would even (R)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 (S)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?

Footnotes

  1. Job 6:6 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain
  2. Job 6:7 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain
  3. Job 6:10 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain
  4. Job 6:14 Syriac, Vulgate (compare Targum); the meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain