Job 6
1 And Job made answer and said,
Then Job answered and said:
2 If only my passion might be measured, and put into the scales against my trouble!
Oh that my vexation were but weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances altogether!
3 For then its weight would be more than the sand of the seas: because of this my words have been uncontrolled.
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore are my words broken.
4 For the arrows of the Ruler of all are present with me, and their poison goes deep into my spirit: his army of fears is put in order 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 the ass of the fields give out his voice when he has grass? or does the ox make sounds over his food?
Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
6 Will a man take food which has no taste without salt? or is there any taste in the soft substance of purslain?
Can that which hath no savour be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the juice of mallows?
7 My soul has no desire for such things, they are as disease in my food.
My soul refuseth to touch them; they are as the sickness of my flesh.
8 If only I might have an answer to my prayer, and God would give me my desire!
Oh that I might have my request, and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
9 If only he would be pleased to put an end to me; and would let loose his hand, so that I might be cut off!
Even that it would please God to crush me; that He would let loose His hand, and cut me off!
10 So I would still have comfort, and I would have joy in the pains of death, for I have not been false to the words of the Holy One.
Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would exult in pain, though He spare not; for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 Have I strength to go on waiting, or have I any end to be looking forward to?
What is my strength, that I should wait? and what is mine end, that I should be patient?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh brass?
Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
13 I have no help in myself, and wisdom is completely gone from me.
Is it that I have no help in me, and that sound wisdom is driven quite from me?
14 He whose heart is shut against his friend has given up the fear of the Ruler of all.
To him that is ready to faint kindness is due from his friend, even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
15 My friends have been false like a stream, like streams in the valleys which come to an end:
My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that overflow,
16 Which are dark because of the ice, and the snow falling into them;
Which are black by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow hideth itself;
17 Under the burning sun they are cut off, and come to nothing because of the heat.
What time they wax warm, they vanish, when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 The camel-trains go out of their way; they go up into the waste and come to destruction.
The paths of their way do wind, they go up into the waste, and are lost.
19 The camel-trains of Tema were searching with care, the bands of Sheba were waiting for them:
The caravans of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them —
20 They were put to shame because of their hope; they came and their hope was gone.
They were ashamed because they had hoped; they came thither, and were confounded.
21 So have you now become to me; you see my sad condition and are in fear.
For now ye are become His; ye see a terror, and are afraid.
22 Did I say, Give me something? or, Make a payment for me out of your wealth?
Did I say: 'Give unto me'? or: 'Offer a present for me of your substance'?
23 Or, Get me out of the power of my hater? or, Give money so that I may be free from the power of the cruel ones?
or: 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand'? or: 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors'?
24 Give me teaching and I will be quiet; and make me see my error.
Teach me, and I will hold my peace; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How pleasing are upright words! but what force is there in your arguments?
How forcible are words of uprightness! But what doth your arguing argue?
26 My words may seem wrong to you, but the words of him who has no hope are for the wind.
Do ye hold words to be an argument, but the speeches of one that is desperate to be wind?
27 Truly, you are such as would give up the child of a dead man to his creditors, and would make a profit out of your friend.
Yea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless, and dig a pit for your friend.
28 Now then, let your eyes be turned to me, for truly I will not say what is false to your face.
Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; for surely I shall not lie to your face.
29 Let your minds be changed, and do not have an evil opinion of me; yes, be changed, for my righteousness is still in me.
Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; yea, return again, my cause is righteous.
30 Is there evil in my tongue? is not the cause of my trouble clear to me?
Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern crafty devices?
