Job 6

6 ¹Then Job answered: ²"If only my anguish could be weighed and all my calamity laid together on the scales! ³It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas—that is why my words have been reckless. ⁴For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me. ⁵Does the wild donkey bray over its grass, or the ox bellow over its fodder? ⁶Is 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. ⁷My soul refuses to touch them; such things are loathsome food to me. ⁸Oh, if only my request would be granted, that God would give me what I long for, ⁹that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose his hand and cut me off! ¹⁰This 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. ¹¹What strength do I have, that I should keep hoping? And what end awaits me, that I should be patient? ¹²Is my strength the strength of stones? Is my flesh made of bronze? ¹³Is there no help at all within me, now that sound wisdom is driven from me? ¹⁴Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. ¹⁵But my brothers are as treacherous as a desert streambed, like the channels of brooks that overflow and run dry, ¹⁶darkened by melting ice, swollen with the hidden snow, ¹⁷but in the dry season they vanish; when the heat comes, they disappear from their place. ¹⁸Caravans turn aside from their paths; they go up into the wasteland and perish. ¹⁹The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope for it. ²⁰They are ashamed because they had trusted; they reach the place and are disappointed. ²¹Now you too have become nothing; you see something dreadful and are afraid. ²²Have I ever said, 'Give me something'? Or, 'Offer a bribe for me from your wealth'? ²³Or, 'Rescue me from an enemy's hand'? Or, 'Redeem me from the grip of the ruthless'? ²⁴Teach me, and I will be silent; show me where I have gone wrong. ²⁵How painful honest words can be! But what does your rebuke really prove? ²⁶Do you mean to correct mere words, treating a despairing man's speech as wind? ²⁷You would even cast lots over an orphan and barter away your own friend. ²⁸But now, please look at me—I would never lie to your face. ²⁹Relent, I beg you; let no injustice be done. Relent—my righteousness still stands. ³⁰Is there any wrong on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern what is destructive?"