Job 6

Job Replies: My Complaint Is Just

1 Then Job replied: ‡ Job 4:1

2 “If only my grief could be weighed ‡ Job 23:2Job 31:6Job 4:5

and placed with my calamity on the scales.

3 For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas— ‡ Pro 27:3Job 23:2Job 37:19-20Mat 11:28Psa 40:5Psa 77:4

no wonder my words have been rash.

4 For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; ‡ Psa 38:2Job 30:15Psa 88:15-16Pro 18:14Job 16:12-14Mrk 15:34Psa 143:7Job 9:17 +11

my spirit drinks in their poison;

the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

5 Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, ‡ Jer 14:6Jol 1:18-20Psa 104:14Psa 42:1

or an ox low over its fodder?

6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt, ‡ Job 34:3Col 4:6Job 12:11Job 6:30Lev 2:13Luk 14:34Heb 6:4-5Job 16:2 +2

or is there flavor in the white of an egg ¹?

7 My soul refuses to touch them; ‡ 1Ki 17:121Ki 22:27Dan 10:3Ezk 12:18-19Ezk 4:14Ezk 4:16Job 3:24Psa 102:9

they are loathsome food to me.

8 If only my request were granted ‡ Psa 119:81Job 17:14-16Job 6:11-13

and God would fulfill my hope:

9 that God would be willing to crush me, ‡ 1Ki 19:4Jon 4:3Isa 48:10-13Job 7:15-16Jon 4:8Job 14:13Job 19:21Job 3:20-22 +3

to unleash His hand and cut me off!

10 It still brings me comfort, ‡ Job 23:12Isa 57:15Lev 19:2Psa 40:9-10Psa 71:17-181Sa 2:22Pe 2:4-5Act 20:20 +15

and joy through unrelenting pain,

that I have not denied

the words of the Holy One.

11 What strength do I have, that I should still hope? ‡ Psa 103:14-16Job 17:1Psa 102:23Psa 39:5Job 10:20Job 13:25Job 13:28Job 17:14-16 +3

What is my future, that I should be patient?

12 Is my strength like that of stone, ‡ Job 40:18Job 41:24

or my flesh made of bronze?

13 Is there any help within me ‡ 2Co 1:12Job 26:2Job 12:2-3Job 13:2Job 19:28Gal 6:4

now that success is driven from me?

14 A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, ‡ Gal 6:2Pro 17:171Co 12:26Rom 12:152Co 11:29Heb 13:3Luk 23:40Job 15:4 +5

even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

15 But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, ‡ Psa 38:11Jer 15:18Psa 41:9Jhn 13:18Jhn 16:32Psa 55:12-14Jer 30:14Jer 9:4-5 +4

as seasonal streams that overflow,

16 darkened because of the ice

and the inflow of melting snow,

17 but ceasing in the dry season ‡ 1Ki 17:1Job 24:19

and vanishing from their channels in the heat.

18 Caravans turn aside from their routes;

they go into the wasteland and perish.

19 The caravans of Tema look for water; ‡ Gen 25:15Isa 21:14Jer 25:231Ki 10:1Ezk 27:22-23Gen 10:7Gen 25:3Psa 72:10

the travelers of Sheba hope to find it.

20 They are confounded because they had hoped; ‡ Jer 14:3-4Jer 17:13Rom 5:5Rom 9:33

their arrival brings disappointment.

21 For now you are of no help; ‡ Psa 38:112Ti 4:16Jer 17:5-6Isa 2:22Jer 51:9Job 13:4Job 2:11-13Job 6:15 +6

you see terror, and you are afraid.

22 Have I ever said, ‘Give me something; ‡ 1Sa 12:3Act 20:33Job 42:11

offer me a bribe from your wealth;

23 deliver me from the hand of the enemy; ‡ Jer 15:21Job 5:20Psa 107:2Psa 49:15Psa 49:7-8Lev 25:48Neh 5:8

redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’?

24 Teach me, and I will be silent. ‡ Jas 3:2Pro 9:9Job 10:2Job 34:32Psa 19:12Psa 39:1-2Job 33:1Job 5:27 +6

Help me understand how I have erred.

25 How painful are honest words! ‡ Ecc 12:10-11Job 13:5Job 16:3-5Job 21:34Job 24:25Job 32:3Job 4:4Pro 12:18 +3

But what does your argument prove?

26 Do you intend to correct my words, ‡ Job 8:2Eph 4:14Mat 12:37Hos 12:1Job 10:1Job 2:10Job 3:3-26Job 34:3-9 +8

and treat as wind my cry of despair?

27 You would even cast lots for an orphan ‡ 2Pe 2:3Jas 1:27Job 22:9Job 24:3Job 24:9Jol 3:3Nam 3:10Psa 7:15 +11

and barter away your friend.

28 But now, please look at me. ‡ Job 13:4Job 27:4Job 33:3Job 11:3Job 36:4

Would I lie to your face?

29 Reconsider; do not be unjust. ‡ Job 17:10Job 23:10Job 27:4-6Job 34:5Job 42:6Mal 3:18

Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.

30 Is there iniquity on my tongue? ‡ Job 12:11Job 34:3Job 6:6Heb 5:14Job 33:8-12Job 42:3-6

Can my mouth not discern malice?