Job 6
1 Then Job replied:
And Job answered and said,
2 “If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales.
Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
3 For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas— no wonder my words have been rash.
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore my words are vehement.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, their poison drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
5 Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder?
Doth the wild ass bray by the grass? loweth an ox over his fodder?
6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg?
Shall that which is insipid be eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me.
What my soul refuseth to touch, that is as my loathsome food.
8 If only my request were granted and God would fulfill my hope:
Oh that I might have my request, and that God would grant my desire!
9 that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off!
And that it would please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!
10 It still brings me comfort, and joy through unrelenting pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
Then should I yet have comfort; and in the pain which spareth not I would rejoice that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?
What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should have patience?
12 Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?
Is my strength the strength of stones? is my flesh of brass?
13 Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me?
Is it not that there is no help in me, and soundness is driven away from me?
14 A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
For him that is fainting kindness [is meet] from his friend; or he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
15 But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow,
My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a stream, as the channel of streams which pass away,
16 darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow,
Which are turbid by reason of the ice, in which the snow hideth itself:
17 but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat.
At the time they diminish, they are dried up; when heat affecteth them, they vanish from their place:
18 Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish.
They wind about in the paths of their course, they go off into the waste and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it.
The caravans of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba counted on them:
20 They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment.
They are ashamed at their hope; they come thither, and are confounded.
21 For now you are of no help; you see terror, and you are afraid.
So now ye are nothing; ye see a terrible object and are afraid.
22 Have I ever said, ‘Give me something; offer me a bribe from your wealth;
Did I say, Bring unto me, and make me a present from your substance?
23 deliver me from the hand of the enemy; redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’?
Or, rescue me from the hand of the oppressor, and redeem me from the hand of the violent?
24 Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.
Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?
How forcible are right words! but what doth your upbraiding reprove?
26 Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair?
Do ye imagine to reprove words? The speeches of one that is desperate are indeed for the wind.
27 You would even cast lots for an orphan and barter away your friend.
Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and dig [a pit] for your friend.
28 But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face?
Now therefore if ye will, look upon me; and it shall be to your face if I lie.
29 Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.
Return, I pray you, let there be no wrong; yea, return again, my righteousness shall be in it.
30 Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice?
Is there wrong in my tongue? cannot my taste discern mischievous things?
