LEB - Job - 6

6:1   Then Job answered and said,

6:2  “If only my vexation could be well weighed, and my calamity could be lifted up together with it in the balances,

6:3  for then it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore my words have been rash,

6:4  for the arrows of Shaddai are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

6:5  Does the wild ass bray over grass, or the ox bellow over its fodder?

6:6  Can tasteless food be eaten without salt, or is there taste in the white of a marshmallow plant?

6:7  ⌞I refused⌟ to touch them; they are like ⌞food that will make me ill⌟.

6:8  “⌞O that⌟ my request may come, and that God may grant my hope,

6:9  that God would decide that he would crush me, that he would let loose his hand and ⌞kill me⌟.

6:10  But it will still be my consolation, and I would recoil in ⌞unrelenting⌟ pain, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

6:11  What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that ⌞I should hold out⌟?

6:12  Or is my strength like the strength of stones? Or is my flesh bronze?

6:13  ⌞Indeed⌟, my help is not in me, and any success is driven from me.

6:14  “Loyal love should come for the afflicted from his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of Shaddai.

6:15  My companions are treacherous like a torrent-bed; like a streambed of wadis they flow away,

6:16  which are growing dark because of ice upon them, it will pile up snow.

6:17  In time they dry up, they disappear; when it is hot, they vanish from their place.

6:18  The paths of their way wind around; they go up into the wasteland, and they perish.

6:19  The caravans of Tema looked; the traveling merchants of Sheba hope for them.

6:20  They are disappointed, because they trusted; they came ⌞here⌟ and they are confounded.

6:21  “For now you have become ⌞such⌟; you see terrors, and you fear.

6:22  Is it because I have said, ‘Give to me,’ or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth’?

6:23  or, ‘Save me from the foe’s hand,’ or, ‘Ransom me from the tyrants’ hand’?

6:24  Teach me, and I myself will be silent; and make me understand how I have gone astray.

6:25  How painful are ⌞upright words⌟! But what does ⌞your reproof⌟ reprove?

6:26  Do you intend to reprove my words and consider the words of a desperate man as wind?

6:27  Even over the orphan you would cast the lot, and you would bargain over your friend.

6:28  “⌞Therefore⌟ be prepared, turn to me, and I surely will not lie to your face.

6:29  Please turn, let no injustice happen; indeed, turn, ⌞my righteousness is still intact⌟.

6:30  Is there injustice on my tongue? Or can my palate not discern calamity?