Job 6:22–30

22 Have I said, ‘Make me a gift’?

Or, ‘From your wealth offer a bribe for me’?

23 Or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’?

Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the ruthless’?

24 “Teach me, and I will be silent;

make me understand how I have gone astray.

25 How forceful are upright words!

But what does reproof from you reprove?

26 Do you think that you can reprove words,

when the speech of a despairing man is wind?

27 You would even cast lots over the fatherless,

and bargain over your friend.

28 “But now, be pleased to look at me,

for I will not lie to your face.

29 Please turn; let no injustice be done.

Turn now; my vindication is at stake.

30 Is there any injustice on my tongue?

Cannot my palate discern the cause of calamity?

22 Did I say, Bring unto me?

Or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand?

Or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?

24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue:

And cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25 How forcible are right words!

But what doth your arguing reprove?

26 Do ye imagine to reprove words,

And the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?

27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless,

And ye dig a pit for your friend.

28 Now therefore be content, look upon me;

For it is evident unto you if I lie.

29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity;

Yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.

30 Is there iniquity in my tongue?

Cannot my taste discern perverse things?

22 But why? Have I ever asked you for a gift?

Have I begged for anything of yours for myself?

23 Have I asked you to rescue me from my enemies,

or to save me from ruthless people?

24 Teach me, and I will keep quiet.

Show me what I have done wrong.

25 Honest words can be painful,

but what do your criticisms amount to?

26 Do you think your words are convincing

when you disregard my cry of desperation?

27 You would even send an orphan into slavery

or sell a friend.

28 Look at me!

Would I lie to your face?

29 Stop assuming my guilt,

for I have done no wrong.

30 Do you think I am lying?

Don’t I know the difference between right and wrong?

22 Did I ever say, ‘Bring something to me’?

Or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth’?

23 Or, ‘Deliver me from the enemy’s hand’?

Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of oppressors’?

24 “Teach me, and I will hold my tongue;

Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25 How forceful are right words!

But what does your arguing prove?

26 Do you intend to rebuke my words,

And the speeches of a desperate one, which are as wind?

27 Yes, you overwhelm the fatherless,

And you undermine your friend.

28 Now therefore, be pleased to look at me;

For I would never lie to your face.

29 Yield now, let there be no injustice!

Yes, concede, my righteousness still stands!

30 Is there injustice on my tongue?

Cannot my taste discern the unsavory?

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 gamble for orphans

and 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.

22 Did I say, Give unto me?

Or, Offer a present for me of your substance?

23 Or, Deliver me from the adversary’s hand?

Or, Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?

24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace;

And cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25 How forcible are words of uprightness!

But your reproof, what doth it reprove?

26 Do ye think to reprove words,

Seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind?

27 Yea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless,

And make merchandise of your friend.

28 Now therefore be pleased to look upon me;

For surely I shall not lie to your face.

29 Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice;

Yea, return again, my cause is righteous.

30 Is there injustice on my tongue?

Cannot my taste discern mischievous things?

22 Did I say, Bring unto me, and make me a present from your substance? 23 Or, rescue me from the hand of the oppressor, and redeem me from the hand of the violent? 24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. 25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your upbraiding reprove? 26 Do ye imagine to reprove words? The speeches of one that is desperate are indeed for the wind. 27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and dig a pit for your friend. 28 Now therefore if ye will, look upon me; and it shall be to your face if I lie. 29 Return, I pray you, let there be no wrong; yea, return again, my righteousness shall be in it. 30 Is there wrong in my tongue? cannot my taste discern mischievous things?

22 Did I ever say, ‘Give me a gift,’ 

or ‘Offer me a bribe from your wealth,’ 

23 or ‘Rescue me from an enemy,’ 

or ‘Ransom me from a tyrant’? 

24 Teach me, and I’ll be silent. 

Show me where I’ve been wrong. 

25 How painful an honest discussion can be! 

In correcting me, you correct yourselves! 

26 Do you think my words need correction? 

Do you think they’re what a desperate person says to the wind? 

27 Would you also throw dice for an orphan? 

Would you buy and sell your friend? 

28 “But now, if you’re willing, look at me. 

I won’t lie to your face. 

29 Please change your mind. 

Don’t permit any injustice. 

Change your mind because I am still right about this! 

30 Is there injustice on my tongue, 

or is my mouth unable to tell the difference between right and wrong? 

22 Have I ever said: “Give me something”

or “Pay a bribe for me from your wealth”

23 or “Deliver me from the enemy’s power”

or “Redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless”?

24 Teach me, and I will be silent.

Help me understand what I did wrong.

25 How painful honest words can be!

But what does your rebuke prove?

26 Do you think that you can disprove my words

or that a despairing man’s words are mere wind?

27 No doubt you would cast lots for a fatherless child

and negotiate a price to sell your friend.

28 But now, please look at me;

would I lie to your face?

29 Reconsider; don’t be unjust.

Reconsider; my righteousness is still the issue.

30 Is there injustice on my tongue

or can my palate not taste disaster?

22 Have I said, ‘Make me a gift’?

Or, ‘From your wealth offer a bribe for me’?

23 Or, ‘Save me from an opponent’s hand’?

Or, ‘Ransom me from the hand of oppressors’?

24 “Teach me, and I will be silent;

make me understand how I have gone wrong.

25 How forceful are honest words!

But your reproof, what does it reprove?

26 Do you think that you can reprove words,

as if the speech of the desperate were wind?

27 You would even cast lots over the orphan

and bargain over your friend.

28 “But now, be pleased to look at me,

for I will not lie to your face.

29 Turn, I pray; let no wrong be done.

Turn now; my vindication is at stake.

30 Is there any wrong on my tongue?

Cannot my taste discern calamity?

22 Is it because I have said, ‘Give to me,’

or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth’?

23 or, ‘Save me from the foe’s hand,’

or, ‘Ransom me from the tyrants’ hand’?

24 Teach me, and I myself will be silent;

and make me understand how I have gone astray.

25 How painful are upright words!

But what does your reproof reprove?

26 Do you intend to reprove my words

and consider the words of a desperate man as wind?

27 Even over the orphan you would cast the lot,

and you would bargain over your friend.

28 “Therefore be prepared, turn to me,

and I surely will not lie to your face.

29 Please turn, let no injustice happen;

indeed, turn, my righteousness is still intact.

30 Is there injustice on my tongue?

Or can my palate not discern calamity?

22 I’ve never said, ‘Give me something to help me.

Use your wealth to set me free.

23 Save me from the powerful hand of my enemy.

Set me free from the power of mean people.’

24 “Teach me. Then I’ll be quiet.

Show me what I’ve done wrong.

25 Honest words are so painful!

But your reasoning doesn’t prove anything.

26 Are you trying to correct what I’m saying?

You are treating the words of this hopeless man

like nothing but wind.

27 You would even cast lots for those whose fathers have died.

You would even trade away your closest friend.

28 “But now please look at me.

Would I tell you a lie right here in front of you?

29 Stop what you are saying. Don’t be so unfair.

Think it over again.

You are trying to take my honesty away from me.

30 Has my mouth spoken anything that is evil?

Do my lips say things that are hateful?”

22 “Have I said, ‘Give me something,’

Or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth,’

23 Or, ‘Deliver me from the hand of the adversary,’

Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the tyrants’?

24 “Teach me, and I will be silent;

And show me how I have erred.

25 “How painful are honest words!

But what does your argument prove?

26 “Do you intend to reprove my words,

When the words of one in despair belong to the wind?

27 “You would even cast lots for the orphans

And barter over your friend.

28 “Now please look at me,

And see if I lie to your face.

29 “Desist now, let there be no injustice;

Even desist, my righteousness is yet in it.

30 “Is there injustice on my tongue?

Cannot my palate discern calamities?