Chapter 6

Job's First Reply. ¹Then Job answered and said:

²Ah, could my anguish but be measured and my calamity laid with it in the scales, ³They would now outweigh the sands of the sea! Because of this I speak without restraint. ⁴For the arrows of the Almighty pierce me, ^x Ps 88, 17 . and my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me. ⁵Does the wild ass bray when he has grass?^* Does the ox low over his fodder? ⁶Can a thing insipid be eaten without salt? Is there flavor in the white of an egg? ⁷I refuse to touch them; they are loathsome food to me. ⁸Oh, that I might have my request, and that God would grant what I long for: ⁹Even that God would decide to crush me, that he would put forth his hand and cut me off! ¹⁰Then I should still have consolation and could exult through unremitting pain, because I have not transgressed the commands of the Holy One. ¹¹What strength have I that I should endure, and what is my limit that I should be patient? ¹²Have I the strength of stones, or is my flesh of bronze? ¹³Have I no helper, ^y Jb 19, 14f . and has advice deserted me? ¹⁴A friend owes kindness to one in despair, though he have forsaken the fear of the Almighty. ¹⁵My brethren are undependable as a brook, as watercourses that run dry in the wadies; ¹⁶Though they may be black with ice, and with snow heaped upon them, ¹⁷Yet once they flow, they cease to be; in the heat, they disappear from their place. ¹⁸Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the desert and perish. ¹⁹The caravans of Tema^* search, the companies of Sheba have hopes; ²⁰They are disappointed, though they were confident; they come there and are frustrated. ²¹It is thus that you have now become for me; you see a terrifying thing and are afraid. ²²Have I asked you to give me anything, to offer a gift for me from your possessions, ²³Or to deliver me from the enemy, or to redeem me from oppressors? ²⁴Teach me, and I will be silent; prove to me wherein I have erred. ²⁵How agreeable are honest words; yet how unconvincing is your argument! ²⁶Do you consider your words as proof, but the sayings of a desperate man as wind? ²⁷You would even cast lots for the orphan, and would barter away your friend! ²⁸Come, now, give me your attention; surely I will not lie to your face. ²⁹Think it over; let there be no injustice. Think it over; I still am right. ³⁰Is there insincerity on my tongue, or cannot my taste discern falsehood?