6:2 Oh, that my impatience and vexation might be [thoroughly] weighed and all my calamity be laid up over against them in the balances, one against the other [to see if my grief is unmanly]!
6:3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash and wild,
6:4 [But it is] because the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison which my spirit drinks up; the terrors of God set themselves in array against me.
6:5 Does the wild ass bray when it has grass? Or does the ox low over its fodder?
6:6 Can that which has no taste to it be eaten without salt? Or is there any flavor in the white of an egg?
6:7 [These afflictions] my soul refuses to touch! Such things are like diseased food to me [sickening and repugnant]!
6:8 Oh, that I might have my request, and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
6:9 I even wish that it would please God to crush me, that He would let loose His hand and cut me off!
6:10 Then would I still have consolation—yes, I would leap [for joy] amid unsparing pain [though I shrink from it]—that I have not concealed or denied the words of the Holy One!
6:11 What strength have I left, that I should wait and hope? And what is ahead of me, that I should be patient?
6:12 Is my strength and endurance that of stones? Or is my flesh made of bronze?
6:13 Is it not that I have no help in myself, and that wisdom is quite driven from me?
6:14 To him who is about to faint and despair, kindness is due from his friend, lest he forsake the fear of the Almighty.
6:15 [You] my brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away,
6:16 Which are black and turbid by reason of the ice, and in which the snows hides itself;
6:17 When they get warm, they shrink and disappear; when it is hot, they vanish out of their place.
6:18 The caravans which travel by way of them turn aside; they go into the waste places and perish. [Such is my disappointment in you, the friends I fully trusted.]
6:19 The caravans of Tema looked [for water], the companies of Sheba waited for them [in vain].
6:20 They were confounded because they had hoped [to find water]; they came there and were bitterly disappointed.
6:21 Now to me you are [like a dried-up brook]; you see my dismay and terror, and [believing me to be a victim of God’s anger] you are afraid [to sympathize with me].
6:22 Did I ever say, Bring me a gift, or Pay a bribe on my account from your wealth
6:23 To deliver me from the adversary’s hand, or Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?
6:24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
6:25 How forcible are words of straightforward speech! But what does your arguing argue and prove or your reproof reprove?
6:26 Do you imagine your words to be an argument, but the speeches of one who is desperate to be as wind?
6:27 Yes, you would cast lots over the fatherless and bargain away your friend.
6:28 Now be pleased to look upon me, that it may be evident to you if I lie [for surely I would not lie to your face].
6:29 Return [from your suspicion], I pray you, let there be no injustice; yes, return again [to confidence in me], my vindication is in it.
6:30 Is there wrong on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern what is destructive?
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