Job 6 | New International Version

New International Version

Job

1 Then Job replied: 2 ‘If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales! 3 It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas – no wonder my words have been impetuous. 4 The arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks in their poison; God’s terrors are marshalled against me. 5 Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, or an ox bellow when it has fodder? 6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavour in the sap of the mallow^[1]? 7 I refuse to touch it; such food makes me ill. 8 ‘Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for, 9 that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose his hand and cut off my life! 10 Then I would still have this consolation – my joy in unrelenting pain – that I had not denied the words of the Holy One. 11 ‘What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? 12 Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze? 13 Do I have any power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me? 14 ‘Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. 15 But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams, as the streams that overflow 16 when darkened by thawing ice and swollen with melting snow, 17 but that stop flowing in the dry season, and in the heat vanish from their channels. 18 Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go off into the wasteland and perish. 19 The caravans of Tema look for water, the travelling merchants of Sheba look in hope. 20 They are distressed, because they had been confident; they arrive there, only to be disappointed. 21 Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid. 22 Have I ever said, “Give something on my behalf, pay a ransom for me from your wealth, 23 deliver me from the hand of the enemy, rescue me from the clutches of the ruthless”? 24 ‘Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. 25 How painful are honest words! But what do your arguments prove? 26 Do you mean to correct what I say, and treat my desperate words as wind? 27 You would even cast lots for the fatherless and barter away your friend. 28 ‘But now be so kind as to look at me. Would I lie to your face? 29 Relent, do not be unjust; reconsider, for my integrity is at stake.^[2] 30 Is there any wickedness on my lips? Can my mouth not discern malice?

English Standard Version

Job Replies: My Complaint Is Just

1 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 the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash. (Pr 27:3) 4 For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me. (Ps 38:2) 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 please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off! (Nu 11:15; 1Ki 19:4) 10 This would be my comfort; I would even exult^[3] in pain unsparing, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One. (Le 19:2; Isa 30:14; Isa 57:15; Ho 11:9)

Le 19:2Isa 30:14Isa 57:15Ho 11:9

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^[4] kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. (Pr 11:24; Pr 17:17) 15 My brothers are treacherous as a torrent-bed, as torrential streams that pass away, (1Sa 14:33; Ps 38:11; Ps 41:9; Jer 15:18)

1Sa 14:33Ps 38:11Ps 41:9Jer 15:18

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. (Ge 1:2; Jer 4:23) 19 The caravans of Tema look, the travelers of Sheba hope. (Ge 25:15; 1Ki 10:1; 1Ch 1:30; Isa 21:14; Jer 25:23)

Ge 25:151Ki 10:11Ch 1:30Isa 21:14Jer 25:23

20 They are ashamed because they were confident; they come there and are disappointed. (Isa 1:29; Jer 14:3) 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’? (Job 15:20; Job 27:13) 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? (Job 7:7; Isa 41:29) 27 You would even cast lots over the fatherless, and bargain over your friend. (Joe 3:3; Na 3:10) 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. (Job 17:10) 30 Is there any injustice on my tongue? Cannot my palate discern the cause of calamity?