Job 6:1-30 ICB

[1] Then Job answered: [2] "I wish my suffering could be weighed. And I wish my misery could be put on the scales. [3] My sadness would be heavier than the sand of the seas. No wonder my words seem careless. [4] The arrows of God All-Powerful are in me. My spirit drinks in their poison. God's terrors are gathered against me. [5] A wild donkey does not bray when it has grass to eat. An ox is quiet when it has feed. [6] Tasteless food is not eaten without salt. There is no flavor in the white part of an egg. [7] I refuse to touch it. Such food makes me sick. [8] "How I wish I might have what I ask for. How I wish God would give me what I hope for. [9] I wish God would be willing to crush me and reach out his hand to destroy me. [10] Then I would have this comfort. I would be glad even in this unending pain. I would know I did not reject the words of the Holy One. [11] "I do not have the strength to wait. There is nothing to hope for so how can I be patient? [12] I do not have the strength of stone. My flesh is not bronze. [13] I have no power to help myself. This is because success has been taken away from me. [14] "They say, 'A man's friends should be kind to him when he is in trouble. This should be done even if he stops fearing God All-Powerful.' [15] But my brothers cannot be counted on. They are like streams that do not flow regularly, streams that sometimes run over. [16] They are like streams made dark by melting ice, that rise with melting snow. [17] But they stop flowing when it is the dry season. They go away when it is hot. [18] Groups of travelers turn away from their paths. They go into the desert and die. [19] The groups of travelers from Tema look for water. The traders of Sheba who travel look hopefully. [20] They are upset because they had been sure. But when they arrive, they are disappointed. [21] You also have been no help. You see something terrible, and you are afraid. [22] I have never said, 'Give me a gift. Use your wealth to pay my debt. [23] Save me from the enemy's power. Buy me back from the clutches of cruel people.' [24] "Teach me, and I will be quiet. Show me where I have been wrong. [25] Honest words are painful! But your arguments prove nothing. [26] Do you mean to correct what I say? Will you treat the words of a troubled man as if they were only wind? [27] You would even throw lots for orphans. And you would trade away your friend. [28] "But now please look at me. I would not lie to your face. [29] Change your mind. Do not be unfair. Think again, because my innocence is being questioned. [30] What I am saying is not wicked. I can tell the difference between right and wrong.