Job 6
1 But Job answered and said,
Then Job answered and said,
2 Oh that one would indeed weigh the wrath that is upon me, and take up my griefs in a balance together!
Oh that my vexation were but weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
3 And verily they would be heavier than the sand by the seashore: but, as it seems, my words are vain.
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas: therefore have my words been rash.
4 For the arrows of the Lord are in my body, whose violence drinks up my blood: whenever I am going to speak, they pierce 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 What then? will the wild ass bray for nothing, if he is not seeking food? or again, will the ox low at the manger, when he has a fodder?
Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
6 Shall bread be eaten without salt? or again, is there taste in empty words?
Can that which hath no savour be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 For my wrath cannot cease; for I perceive my food as the smell of a lion [to be] loathsome.
My soul refuseth to touch [them]; they are as loathsome meat to me.
8 For oh that he would grant [my desire], and my petition might come, and the Lord would grant my hope!
Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant [me] the thing that I long for.
9 Let the Lord begin and wound me, but let him not utterly destroy me.
Even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10 Let the grave be my city, upon the walls of which I have leaped: I will not shrink from it; for I have not denied the holy words of my God.
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 For what is my strength, that I continue? what is my time, that my soul endures?
What is my strength, that I should wait? and what is mine end, at I should be patient?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
13 Or have I not trusted in him? but help is [far] from me.
Is it not that I have no help in me, and that effectual working is driven quite from me?
14 Mercy has rejected me; and the visitation of the Lord has disregarded me.
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 My nearest relations have not regarded me; they have passed me by like a failing brook, or like a wave.
My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;
16 They who used to reverence me, now have come against me like snow or congealed ice.
Which are black by reason of the ice, [and] wherein the snow hideth itself:
17 When it has melted at the approach of heat, it is not known what it was.
What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 Thus I also have been deserted of all; and I am ruined, and become an outcast.
The caravans [that travel] by the way of them turn aside; they go up into the waste, and perish.
19 Behold the ways of the Thaemanites, ye that mark the paths of the Sabaeans.
The caravans of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 They too that trust in cities and riches shall come to shame.
They were ashamed because they had hoped; they came thither, and were confounded.
21 But ye also have come to me without pity; so that beholding my wound ye are afraid.
For now ye are nothing; ye see a terror, and are afraid.
22 What? have I made any demand of you? or do I ask for strength from you,
Did I say, Give unto me? or, offer a present for me of your substance?
23 to deliver me from enemies, or to rescue me from the hand of the mighty ones?
Or, Deliver me from the adversary’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?
24 Teach ye me, and I will be silent: if in anything I have erred, tell me.
Teach me, and I will hold my peace: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 But as it seems, the words of a true man are vain, because I do not ask strength of you.
How forcible are words of uprightness! but what doth your arguing reprove?
26 Neither will your reproof cause me to cease my words, for neither will I endure the sound of your speech.
Do ye imagine to reprove words? seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind.
27 Even because ye attack the fatherless, and insult your friend.
Yea, ye would cast [lots] upon the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.
28 But now, having looked upon your countenances, I will not lie.
Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; for surely I shall not lie to your face.
29 Sit down now, and let there not be unrighteousness; and unite again with the just.
Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; yea, return again, my cause is righteous.
30 For there is no injustice in my tongue; and does not my throat meditate understanding?
Is there injustice on my tongue? cannot my taste discern mischievous things?
