Job 6 - ESV Bible - Then Job answered and said: "Oh that my vexation...

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 ¹the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash.

4 For ²the 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?^a

7 My appetite refuses to touch them; they are as food that is loathsome to me.^b

8 "Oh that I might have my request, and that God would fulfill my hope,

9 that it would ³please 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 ⁴unsparing, for I have not denied the words of ⁵the 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 ⁶withholds^d kindness from a ⁷friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

15 My ⁸brothers are ⁹treacherous as a torrent-bed, as torrential ¹⁰streams 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 ¹¹the waste and perish.

19 The caravans of ¹²Tema look, the travelers of ¹³Sheba hope.

20 They are ¹⁴ashamed because they were confident; they come there and are ¹⁵disappointed.

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 ¹⁶the 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 ¹⁷wind?

27 You would even ¹⁸cast 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 ¹⁹Please 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?

Job 6 ESV