Job 6
1 But Job answered and said,
And Job made answer and said,
2 Oh that one would indeed weigh the wrath that is upon me, and take up my griefs in a balance together!
If only my passion might be measured, and put into the scales against my trouble!
3 And verily they would be heavier than the sand by the seashore: but, as it seems, my words are vain.
For then its weight would be more than the sand of the seas: because of this my words have been uncontrolled.
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 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.
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?
Does the ass of the fields give out his voice when he has grass? or does the ox make sounds over his food?
6 Shall bread be eaten without salt? or again, is there taste in empty words?
Will a man take food which has no taste without salt? or is there any taste in the soft substance of purslain?
7 For my wrath can’t cease; for I perceive my food as the smell of a lion [to be] loathsome.
My soul has no desire for such things, they are as disease in my food.
8 For oh that he would grant [my desire], and my petition might come, and the Lord would grant my hope!
If only I might have an answer to my prayer, and God would give me my desire!
9 Let the Lord begin and wound me, but let him not utterly destroy me.
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!
10 Let the grave be my city, upon the walls of which I have leapt: I will not shrink from it; for I have not denied the holy words of my God.
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.
11 For what is my strength, that I continue? what is my time, that my soul endures?
Have I strength to go on waiting, or have I any end to be looking forward to?
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 brass?
13 Or have I not trusted in him? but help is [far] from me.
I have no help in myself, and wisdom is completely gone from me.
14 Mercy has rejected me; and the visitation of the Lord has disregarded me.
He whose heart is shut against his friend has given up the fear of the Ruler of all.
15 My nearest relations have not regarded me; they have passed me by like a failing brook, or like a wave.
My friends have been false like a stream, like streams in the valleys which come to an end:
16 They who used to reverence me, now have come against me like snow or congealed ice.
Which are dark because of the ice, and the snow falling into them;
17 When it has melted at the approach of heat, it is not known what it was.
Under the burning sun they are cut off, and come to nothing because of the heat.
18 Thus I also have been deserted of all; and I am ruined, and become an outcast.
The camel-trains go out of their way; they go up into the waste and come to destruction.
19 Behold the ways of the Thaemanites, you that mark the paths of the Sabaeans.
The camel-trains of Tema were searching with care, the bands of Sheba were waiting for them:
20 They too that trust in cities and riches shall come to shame.
They were put to shame because of their hope; they came and their hope was gone.
21 But you also have come to me without pity; so that beholding my wound you are afraid.
So have you now become to me; you see my sad condition and are in fear.
22 What? have I made any demand of you? or do I ask for strength from you,
Did I say, Give me something? or, Make a payment for me out of your wealth?
23 to deliver me from enemies, or to rescue me from the hand of the mighty ones?
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?
24 Teach you me, and I will be silent: if in anything I have erred, tell me.
Give me teaching and I will be quiet; and make me see my error.
25 But as it seems, the words of a true man are vain, because I do not ask strength of you.
How pleasing are upright words! but what force is there in your arguments?
26 Neither will your reproof cause me to cease my words, for neither will I endure the sound of your speech.
My words may seem wrong to you, but the words of him who has no hope are for the wind.
27 Even because you attack the fatherless, and insult your friend.
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.
28 But now, having looked upon your countenances, I will not lie.
Now then, let your eyes be turned to me, for truly I will not say what is false to your face.
29 Sit down now, and let there not be unrighteousness; and unite again with the just.
Let your minds be changed, and do not have an evil opinion of me; yes, be changed, for my righteousness is still in me.
30 For there is no injustice in my tongue; and does not my throat meditate understanding?
Is there evil in my tongue? is not the cause of my trouble clear to me?
