Job 6

6 ¹ Then Job answered: ² "If only my anguish could be weighed and all my calamity laid together on the scales! ³ It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas — that is why my words have been reckless. ⁴ For the 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 over its grass, or the ox bellow over its fodder? ⁶ Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there any flavor in the juice of the mallow? ^a a v6 Mallow is a wild plant; its watery juice was bland and unappetizing — a picture of food with no nourishment or appeal. ⁷ My soul refuses to touch them; such things are loathsome food to me. ⁸ Oh, if only my request would be granted, that God would give me what I long for — ⁹ that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose his hand and cut me off! ¹⁰ This would still be my comfort — I would leap for joy even in pain that shows no mercy — that I have not denied the words of the Holy One. ¹¹ What strength do I have, that I should keep hoping? And what end awaits me, that I should be patient? ¹² Is my strength the strength of stones? Is my flesh made of bronze? ¹³ Is there no help at all within me, now that sound wisdom is driven from me? ¹⁴ Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. ¹⁵ But my brothers are as treacherous as a desert streambed, like the channels of brooks that overflow and run dry, ¹⁶ darkened by melting ice, swollen with the hidden snow, ¹⁷ but in the dry season they vanish; when the heat comes, they disappear from their place. ¹⁸ Caravans turn aside from their paths; they go up into the wasteland and perish. ¹⁹ The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope for it. ²⁰ They are ashamed because they had trusted; they reach the place and are disappointed. ²¹ Now you too have become nothing; you see something dreadful and are afraid. ²² Have I ever said, 'Give me something'? Or, 'Offer a bribe for me from your wealth'? ²³ Or, 'Rescue me from an enemy's hand'? Or, 'Redeem me from the grip of the ruthless'? ²⁴ Teach me, and I will be silent; show me where I have gone wrong. ²⁵ How painful honest words can be! But what does your rebuke really prove? ²⁶ Do you mean to correct mere words, treating a despairing man's speech as wind? ²⁷ You would even cast lots over an orphan and barter away your own friend. ²⁸ But now, please look at me — I would never lie to your face. ²⁹ Relent, I beg you; let no injustice be done. Relent — my righteousness still stands. ³⁰ Is there any wrong on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern what is destructive?