Job 6
1 Then Job replied:
Then Job answered and said,
2 “If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales.
Oh that my vexation were but weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
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 have my words been rash.
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, the poison whereof my spirit drinketh up: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.
5 Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder?
Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg?
Can that which hath no savour be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me.
My soul refuseth to touch [them]; they are as loathsome meat to me.
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 [me] the thing that I long for.
9 that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off!
Even 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; yea, I would exult in pain that spareth not: for 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 wait? and what is mine end, at I should be patient?
12 Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?
Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
13 Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me?
Is it not that I have no help in me, and that effectual working is driven quite from me?
14 A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
To him that is ready to faint kindness [should be shewed] from his friend; even to him that 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 brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;
16 darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow,
Which are black by reason of the ice, [and] wherein the snow hideth itself:
17 but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat.
What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish.
The caravans [that travel] by the way of them turn aside; they go up 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 waited for them.
20 They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment.
They were ashamed because they had hoped; they came thither, and were confounded.
21 For now you are of no help; you see terror, and you are afraid.
For now ye are nothing; ye see a terror, and are afraid.
22 Have I ever said, ‘Give me something; offer me a bribe from your wealth;
Did I say, Give unto me? or, offer a present for me of your substance?
23 deliver me from the hand of the enemy; redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’?
Or, Deliver me from the adversary’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?
24 Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.
Teach me, and I will hold my peace: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?
How forcible are words of uprightness! but what doth your arguing reprove?
26 Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair?
Do ye imagine to reprove words? seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind.
27 You would even cast lots for an orphan and barter away your friend.
Yea, ye would cast [lots] upon the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.
28 But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face?
Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; for surely I shall not lie to your face.
29 Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.
Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; yea, return again, my cause is righteous.
30 Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice?
Is there injustice on my tongue? cannot my taste discern mischievous things?
