< Job 6 >
1 But Job answered and said,
Then answered Job, 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 could be truly weighed, and my calamity; oh that men might lift it up in the balances at once!
3 And verily they would be heavier than the sand by the seashore: but, as it seems, my words are vain.
For now it is already heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore are my words confused.
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 it: the terrors of God 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 over the grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
6 Shall bread be eaten without salt? or again, is there taste in empty words?
Is ever tasteless food eaten without salt? or is there any flavor in the white of an egg?
7 For my wrath can’t cease; for I perceive my food as the smell of a lion [to be] loathsome.
My soul refuseth to touch them: they are unto me like disgusting food.
8 For oh that he would grant [my desire], and my petition might come, and the Lord would grant my hope!
Oh that some one would grant the accomplishment of my request; and that God would grant me the fulfillment of my hope!
9 Let the Lord begin and wound me, but let him not utterly destroy me.
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 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.
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 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 my end, that I should yet longer retain my patience?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
Is the strength of stones my strength? or is my flesh brazen?
13 Or have I not trusted in him? but help is [far] from me.
Truly, am I not without my help in me? and is not wise counsel driven far away from me?
14 Mercy has rejected me; and the visitation of the Lord has disregarded me.
As though I were one who refuseth kindness to his friend, and 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 brothers are treacherous as a brook, like flowing brooks they pass along;
16 They who used to reverence me, now have come against me like snow or congealed ice.
Which are made turbid by reason of the ice, wherein the snow hideth itself;
17 When it has melted at the approach of heat, it is not known what it was.
At the time when they feel the warmth, they vanish; when it is hot, they are quenched out of their place.
18 Thus I also have been deserted of all; and I am ruined, and become an outcast.
The paths of their course wind themselves along; they go in the wilderness and are lost.
19 Behold the ways of the Thaemanites, you that mark the paths of the Sabaeans.
The caravans of Thema look hither, the travelling companies Sheba hope for them;
20 They too that trust in cities and riches shall come to shame.
But they stand ashamed because they had trusted; they come thither and are made to blush.
21 But you also have come to me without pity; so that beholding my wound you are afraid.
For truly now ye are like such a one: ye see my terrible state and are afraid.
22 What? have I made any demand of you? or do I ask for strength from you,
Have I then ever said, Give me something, and out of your property offer a bribe in my behalf?
23 to deliver me from enemies, or to rescue me from the hand of the mighty ones?
And deliver me from the hand of the adversary? and redeem from the hand of tyrants?
24 Teach you me, and I will be silent: if in anything I have erred, tell me.
Teach me, and I will indeed remain silent; and wherein I erred give me to understand.
25 But as it seems, the words of a true man are vain, because I do not ask strength of you.
How pleasant are straightforward words! but what doth arguing prove?
26 Neither will your reproof cause me to cease my words, for neither will I endure the sound of your speech.
Do ye think to reprove words, and [to regard] as wind the speeches of one that is despairing?
27 Even because you attack the fatherless, and insult your friend.
Yea, ye would cast any thing upon the fatherless, and ye would dig a pit against your friend.
28 But now, having looked upon your countenances, I will not lie.
But now, if it please you, turn yourselves toward me, and [say] whether I would lie before your face.
29 Sit down now, and let there not be unrighteousness; and unite again with the just.
Reflect again, I pray you, there will be no wrong: yea, reflect once more, my righteousness [will be found] therein.
30 For there is no injustice in my tongue; and does not my throat meditate understanding?
Is there any wrong on my tongue? or should my palate not understand [if I spoke] what is iniquitous?