Job 6

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Then Job answered and said:	1 Job spoke next. He said:
2 Ah, could my anguish but be measured and my calamity laid with it in the scales,	2 If only my misery could be weighed, and al my il s be put together on the scales!
3 They would now outweigh the sands of the sea! Because of this I speak without restraint.	3 But they outweigh the sands of the seas: what wonder then if my words are wild?
4 For the arrows of the Almighty pierce me, and my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.	4 The arrows of Shaddai stick fast in me, my spirit absorbs their poison, God's terrors stand paradedagainst me.
5 Does the wild ass bray when he has grass? Does the ox low over his fodder?	5 Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, or an ox low when its fodder is within reach?
6 Can a thing insipid be eaten without salt? Is there flavor in the white of an egg?	6 Is not food insipid, eaten without salt, is there any taste in egg-white?
7 I refuse to touch them; they are loathsome food to me.	7 But the very things my appetite revolts at are now my diet in sickness.
8 Oh, that I might have my request, and that God would grant what I long for:	8 Will no one hear my prayer, will not God himself grant my hope?
9 Even that God would decide to crush me, that he would put forth his hand and cut me off!	9 May it please God to crush me, to give his hand free play and do away with me!
10 Then I should still have consolation and could exult through unremitting pain, because I have not transgressed the commands of the Holy One.	10 This thought, at least, would give me comfort (a thril of joy in unrelenting pain), that I never rebel edagainst the Holy One's decrees.
11 What strength have I that I should endure, and what is my limit that I should be patient?	11 But have I the strength to go on waiting? And why be patient, when doomed to such an end?
12 Have I the strength of stones, or is my flesh of bronze?	12 Is mine the strength of stone, is my flesh made of bronze?
13 Have I no helper, and has advice deserted me?	13 Can I support myself on nothing? Has not al help deserted me?
14 A friend owes kindness to one in despair, though he have forsaken the fear of the Almighty.	14 Refuse faithful love to your neighbour and you forsake the fear of Shaddai.
15 My brethren are undependable as a brook, as watercourses that run dry in the wadies;	15 Like the torrent, my brothers have proved deceptive, as fleeting torrents they flow:
16 Though they may be black with ice, and with snow heaped upon them,	16 the ice makes their waters turgid when, above them, the snow melts,
17 Yet once they flow, they cease to be; in the heat, they disappear from their place.	17 but, come the burning summer, they run dry, they vanish in the heat of the sun.
18 Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the desert and perish.	18 Caravans leave the trail to find them, go deep into wastelands, and are lost.
19 The caravans of Tema search, the companies of Sheba have hopes;	19 The caravans of Tema look to them, and on them Sheba's convoys build their hopes.
20 They are disappointed, though they were confident; they come there and are frustrated.	20 Their trust brings only embarrassment, they reach them only to be thwarted.
21 It is thus that you have now become for me; you see a terrifying thing and are afraid.	21 And this is how you now treat me, terrified at the sight of me, you take fright.
22 Have I asked you to give me anything, to offer a gift for me from your possessions,	22 Have I said to you, 'Give me something, make some present for me at your own cost,
23 Or to deliver me from the enemy, or to redeem me from oppressors?	23 snatch me from the grasp of an oppressor, ransom me from the grip of a violent man'?
24 Teach me, and I will be silent; prove to me wherein I have erred.	24 Put me right, and I shal say no more; show me where I have been at fault.
25 How agreeable are honest words; yet how unconvincing is your argument!	25 Fair comment can be borne without resentment, but what are your strictures aimed at?
26 Do you consider your words as proof, but the sayings of a desperate man as wind?	26 Do you think mere words deserve censure, desperate speech that the wind blows away?
27 You would even cast lots for the orphan, and would barter away your friend!	27 Soon you wil be haggling over the price of an orphan, and sel ing your friend at bargain price!
28 Come, now, give me your attention; surely I will not lie to your face.	28 Come, I beg you, look at me: man to man, I shal not lie.
29 Think it over; let there be no injustice. Think it over; I still am right.	29 Relent then, no harm is done; relent then, since I am upright.
30 Is there insincerity on my tongue, or cannot my taste discern falsehood?	30 Is evil to be found on my lips? Can I not recognise misfortune when I taste it?