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!
O that my grief were weighed thoroughly! That my calamities were put together in the balance!
3 For then its weight would be more than the sand of the seas: because of this my words have been uncontrolled.
Surely they would be heavier than the sand of the sea; On this account were my words rash.
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 have pierced me; Their poison drinketh up my spirit; 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 in the midst of 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 is unsavory be eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 My soul has no desire for such things, they are as disease in my food.
That which my soul abhorreth to touch Hath become my loathsome food.
8 If only I might have an answer to my prayer, and God would give me my desire!
O that I might have my request, And that God would grant me that which 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!
That it would please God to destroy 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.
Yet it should still be my consolation, Yea, in unsparing anguish I would exult, That I have not denied 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 hope? And what 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 brass?
13 I have no help in myself, and wisdom is completely gone from me.
Alas, there is no help within me! Deliverance is driven from me!
14 He whose heart is shut against his friend has given up the fear of the Ruler of all.
To the afflicted, kindness should be shown by a friend; Else he casteth off the fear of the Almighty.
15 My friends have been false like a stream, like streams in the valleys which come to an end:
But my brethren are faithless like a brook; Like streams of the valley that pass away;
16 Which are dark because of the ice, and the snow falling into them;
Which are turbid by reason of the ice, And the snow, which hideth itself in them.
17 Under the burning sun they are cut off, and come to nothing because of the heat.
As soon as they flow forth, they vanish; When the heat cometh, they are dried up from their place.
18 The camel-trains go out of their way; they go up into the waste and come to destruction.
The caravans turn aside to them on their way; They go up into the desert, and perish.
19 The camel-trains of Tema were searching with care, the bands of Sheba were waiting for them:
The caravans of Tema look for them; The companies of Sheba expect to see them;
20 They were put to shame because of their hope; they came and their hope was gone.
They are ashamed that they have relied on them; They come to their place, and are confounded.
21 So have you now become to me; you see my sad condition and are in fear.
So ye also are nothing; Ye see a terror, and shrink back.
22 Did I say, Give me something? or, Make a payment for me out of your wealth?
Have I said, Bring me gifts? Or, Give a present for me out 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 enemy's hand? Or, Rescue me from the hand of the violent?
24 Give me teaching and I will be quiet; and make me see my error.
Convince me, and I will hold my peace; Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How pleasing are upright words! but what force is there in your arguments?
How powerful are the words of truth! But what do your reproaches prove?
26 My words may seem wrong to you, but the words of him who has no hope are for the wind.
Do ye mean to censure words? The words of a man in despair are but 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.
Truly ye spread a net for the fatherless; Ye 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.
Look now upon me, I pray you; For to your very face can I speak falsehood?
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, and let there be no unfairness; Yea, return; —still is my cause righteous.
30 Is there evil in my tongue? is not the cause of my trouble clear to me?
Is there iniquity on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern what is sinful?
