|
2 "If only my anguish could be weighed
and all my misery be placed on the scales! |
3 It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas-
no wonder my words have been impetuous. |
4 The arrows of the Almighty are in me,
my spirit drinks in their poison;
God's terrors are marshaled against me. |
5 Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass,
or an ox bellow when it has fodder? |
6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt,
or is there flavor in the white of an egg1 6:6 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain. ? |
7 I refuse to touch it;
such food makes me ill. |
8 "Oh, that I might have my request,
that God would grant what I hope for, |
9 that God would be willing to crush me,
to let loose his hand and cut me off! |
10 Then I would still have this consolation-
my joy in unrelenting pain-
that I had not denied the words of the Holy One. |
11 "What strength do I have, that I should still hope?
What prospects, that I should be patient? |
12 Do I have the strength of stone?
Is my flesh bronze? |
13 Do I have any power to help myself,
now that success has been driven from me? |
14 "A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends,
even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. |
15 But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams,
as the streams that overflow |
16 when darkened by thawing ice
and swollen with melting snow, |
17 but that cease to flow in the dry season,
and in the heat vanish from their channels. |
18 Caravans turn aside from their routes;
they go up into the wasteland and perish. |
19 The caravans of Tema look for water,
the traveling merchants of Sheba look in hope. |
20 They are distressed, because they had been confident;
they arrive there, only to be disappointed. |
21 Now you too have proved to be of no help;
you see something dreadful and are afraid. |
22 Have I ever said, 'Give something on my behalf,
pay a ransom for me from your wealth, |
23 deliver me from the hand of the enemy,
ransom me from the clutches of the ruthless'? |
24 "Teach me, and I will be quiet;
show me where I have been wrong. |
25 How painful are honest words!
But what do your arguments prove? |
26 Do you mean to correct what I say,
and treat the words of a despairing man as wind? |
27 You would even cast lots for the fatherless
and barter away your friend. |
28 "But now be so kind as to look at me.
Would I lie to your face? |
29 Relent, do not be unjust;
reconsider, for my integrity is at stake.2 6:29 Or my righteousness still stands |
30 Is there any wickedness on my lips?
Can my mouth not discern malice? |
