Job 6
1 And Job made answer and said,
Then answered Job, and said,
2 If only my passion might be measured, and put into the scales against my trouble!
Oh that my vexation could be truly weighed, and my calamity; oh that men might lift it up in the balances at once!
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 is already heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore are my words confused.
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 it: the terrors of God 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 over the 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?
Is ever tasteless food eaten without salt? or is there any flavor in the white of an egg?
7 My soul has no desire for such things, they are as disease in my food.
My soul refuseth to touch them: they are unto me like disgusting food.
8 If only I might have an answer to my prayer, and God would give me my desire!
Oh that some one would grant the accomplishment of my request; and that God would grant me the fulfillment of my hope!
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!
Yea, that it would please God that he might crush me: that he would let loose his hand, and make an end of me!
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 would this be still my comfort; yea, I would rejoice in my pain while be would not spare: that I have not gainsaid the commands 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 my end, that I should yet longer retain my patience?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh brass?
Is the strength of stones my strength? or is my flesh brazen?
13 I have no help in myself, and wisdom is completely gone from me.
Truly, am I not without my help in me? and is not wise counsel driven far away from me?
14 He whose heart is shut against his friend has given up the fear of the Ruler of all.
As though I were one who refuseth kindness to his friend, and 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 brothers are treacherous as a brook, like flowing brooks they pass along;
16 Which are dark because of the ice, and the snow falling into them;
Which are made turbid by reason of the ice, wherein the snow hideth itself;
17 Under the burning sun they are cut off, and come to nothing because of the heat.
At the time when they feel the warmth, they vanish; when it is hot, they are quenched 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 course wind themselves along; they go in the wilderness and are lost.
19 The camel-trains of Tema were searching with care, the bands of Sheba were waiting for them:
The caravans of Thema look hither, the travelling companies Sheba hope for them;
20 They were put to shame because of their hope; they came and their hope was gone.
But they stand ashamed because they had trusted; they come thither and are made to blush.
21 So have you now become to me; you see my sad condition and are in fear.
For truly now ye are like such a one: ye see my terrible state and are afraid.
22 Did I say, Give me something? or, Make a payment for me out of your wealth?
Have I then ever said, Give me something, and out of your property offer a bribe in my behalf?
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?
And deliver me from the hand of the adversary? and redeem from the hand of tyrants?
24 Give me teaching and I will be quiet; and make me see my error.
Teach me, and I will indeed remain silent; and wherein I erred give me to understand.
25 How pleasing are upright words! but what force is there in your arguments?
How pleasant are straightforward words! but what doth arguing prove?
26 My words may seem wrong to you, but the words of him who has no hope are for the wind.
Do ye think to reprove words, and [to regard] as wind the speeches of one that is despairing?
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 any thing upon the fatherless, and ye would dig a pit against your friend.
28 Now then, let your eyes be turned to me, for truly I will not say what is false to your face.
But now, if it please you, turn yourselves toward me, and [say] whether I would lie before 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.
Reflect again, I pray you, there will be no wrong: yea, reflect once more, my righteousness [will be found] therein.
30 Is there evil in my tongue? is not the cause of my trouble clear to me?
Is there any wrong on my tongue? or should my palate not understand [if I spoke] what is iniquitous?
