Job 6

Job: weigh my vexation on the scales

1Then Job answered: 2If only my vexation could be weighed, and my ruin heaped with it on the scales! 3It would outweigh the sand of the seas — that is why my words come out wild. 4For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison. The terrors of Eloah are drawn up against me. 5Does the wild donkey bray over grass, or the ox low over its fodder? 6Can tasteless food be eaten without salt? Is there any flavor in the slime of the mallow? 7My throat refuses to touch them; such things are the food that sickens me. 8If only my request would come, and Eloah would grant what I hope for: 9that Eloah would consent to crush me, loose his hand and cut me off! 10That would still be my comfort — I would exult in anguish that does not spare me — for I have not denied the words of the Holy One. 11What strength have I, that I should keep waiting? What end awaits me, that I should be patient? 12Is my strength the strength of stones? Is my flesh bronze? 13Is there any help left in me at all? Has all sound wisdom been driven out of me?

You are a wadi that runs dry

14A man in despair is owed kindness by his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. 15My brothers have betrayed me like a wadi, like streambeds that run dry and pass away — 16dark with ice, with the snow burying itself in them; 17in the season they run warm they vanish; when the heat comes they are gone from their place. 18The paths of their course wind away; they go up into the waste and are lost. 19The caravans of Tema look for them; the travelers of Sheba wait in hope. 20They are ashamed of having trusted; they arrive there and are humiliated. 21So now you have become just that: you see something dreadful, and you take fright.* 22Did I ever say, “Give me something,” or, “Pay a bribe for me out of your wealth,” 23or, “Rescue me from the hand of an enemy,” or, “Ransom me from the hand of tyrants”? 24Teach me, and I will fall silent; show me where I have gone wrong. 25How forceful honest words are! But what does your reproof prove? 26Do you mean to correct mere words, when a desperate man’s speech is wind? 27You would cast lots even for an orphan and haggle over your own friend. 28Now then, be willing — turn and look at me: would I lie to your face? 29Turn back, let there be no wrong; turn back — my righteousness still stands in this. 30Is there wrong on my tongue? Can my palate not taste what is ruinous?