Job 6 — NETB

6Verse 1Then Job responded:^{Verse 2}“Oh, if only my grief could be weighed,
and my misfortune laid on the scales too!
^{Verse 3}But because it is heavier than the sand of the sea,
that is why my words have been wild.
^{Verse 4}For the arrows of the Almighty are within me;
my spirit drinks their poison;
God’s sudden terrors are arrayed against me.

Complaints Reflect Suffering

^{Verse 5}“Does the wild donkey bray when it is near grass?
Or does the ox low near its fodder?
^{Verse 6}Can food that is tasteless be eaten without salt?
Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
^{Verse 7}I have refused to touch such things;
they are like loathsome food to me.

A Cry for Death

^{Verse 8}“Oh that my request would be realized,
and that God would grant me what I long for!
^{Verse 9}And that God would be willing to crush me,
that he would let loose his hand
and kill me.
^{Verse 10}Then I would yet have my comfort,
then I would rejoice,
in spite of pitiless pain,
for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
^{Verse 11}What is my strength, that I should wait?
and what is my end,
that I should prolong my life?
^{Verse 12}Is my strength like that of stones?
or is my flesh made of bronze?
^{Verse 13}Is not my power to help myself nothing,
and has not every resource been driven from me?

Disappointing Friends

^{Verse 14}“To the one in despair, kindness should come from his friend
even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
^{Verse 15}My brothers have been as treacherous as a seasonal stream,
and as the riverbeds of the intermittent streams
that flow away.
^{Verse 16}They are dark because of ice;
snow is piled up over them.
^{Verse 17}When they are scorched, they dry up,
when it is hot, they vanish from their place.
^{Verse 18}Caravans turn aside from their routes;
they go into the wasteland and perish.
^{Verse 19}The caravans of Tema looked intently for these streams;
the traveling merchants of Sheba hoped for them.
^{Verse 20}They were distressed,
because each one had been so confident;
they arrived there, but were disappointed.
^{Verse 21}For now you have become like these streams that are no help;
you see a terror, and are afraid.

Friends’ Fears

^{Verse 22}“Have I ever said, ‘Give me something,
and from your fortune make gifts in my favor’?
^{Verse 23}Or ‘Deliver me from the enemy’s power,
and from the hand of tyrants ransom me’?

No Sin Discovered

^{Verse 24}“Teach me and I, for my part, will be silent;
explain to me how I have been mistaken.
^{Verse 25}How painful are honest words!
But what does your reproof prove?
^{Verse 26}Do you intend to criticize mere words,
and treat the words of a despairing man as wind?
^{Verse 27}Yes, you would gamble for the fatherless,
and auction off your friend.

Other Explanation

^{Verse 28}“Now then, be good enough to look at me;
and I will not lie to your face!
^{Verse 29}Relent, let there be no falsehood;
reconsider, for my righteousness is intact!
^{Verse 30}Is there any falsehood on my lips?
Can my mouth not discern evil things?