Job Chapter[BR] 6

1 Then Job answered:

2 If only my grief could be weighed and my devastation placed with it on a scale.

3 For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas! That is why my words are rash.

4 Surely the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks their poison. God's terrors are arrayed against me.

Job Chapter[BR] 6

5 Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass or an ox low over its fodder?

6 Is bland food eaten without salt? Is there flavor in an egg white?

7 I refuse to touch *them ; they are like contaminated food.

8 If only my request would be granted and God would provide what I hope for:

Job Chapter[BR] 6

9 that He would decide to crush me, to unleash His power and cut me off!

10 It would still bring me comfort, and I would leap for joy in unrelenting pain that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 What strength do I have that I should continue to hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

12 Is my strength that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?

Job Chapter[BR] 6

13 Since I cannot help myself, *the hope for success has been banished from me.

14 A despairing man should receive loyalty from his friends, even if he abandons the fear of the Almighty.

15 My brothers are as treacherous as a wadi, as seasonal streams that overflow

16 and become darkened because of ice, and the snow melts into them.

Job Chapter[BR] 6

17 The wadis evaporate in warm weather; they disappear from their channels in hot weather.

18 Caravans turn away from their routes, go up into the desert, and perish.

19 The caravans of Tema look *for these streams . The traveling merchants of Sheba hope for them.

20 They are ashamed because they had been confident *of finding water . When they arrive there, they are frustrated.

Job Chapter[BR] 6

21 So *this is what you have now become to me . When you see something dreadful, you are afraid.

22 Have I ever said: Give me *something or Pay a bribe for me from your wealth

23 or Deliver me from the enemy's power or Redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless?

Job Chapter[BR] 6

24 Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand what I did wrong.

25 How painful honest words can be! But what does your rebuke prove?

26 Do you think that you can disprove *my words or that a despairing man's words are mere wind?

27 No doubt you would cast *lots for a fatherless child and negotiate a price to sell your friend.

Job Chapter[BR] 6

28 But now, please look at me; would I lie to your face?

29 Reconsider; don't be unjust. Reconsider; my righteousness is still the issue.

30 Am I lying, or can I not recognize lies?