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!
O that my grief were weighed thoroughly! That my calamities were put together in the balance!
3 And verily they would be heavier than the sand by the seashore: but, as it seems, my words are vain.
Surely they would be heavier than the sand of the sea; On this account were my words 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 have pierced me; Their poison drinketh up my spirit; 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 in the midst of 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 is unsavory be eaten without salt? Is there any taste 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.
That which my soul abhorreth to touch Hath become my loathsome food.
8 For oh that he would grant [my desire], and my petition might come, and the Lord would grant my hope!
O that I might have my request, And that God would grant me that which I long for!
9 Let the Lord begin and wound me, but let him not utterly destroy me.
That it would please God to destroy 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.
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 For what is my strength, that I continue? what is my time, that my soul endures?
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 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.
Alas, there is no help within me! Deliverance is driven from me!
14 Mercy has rejected me; and the visitation of the Lord has disregarded me.
To the afflicted, kindness should be shown by a friend; Else he casteth off 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.
But my brethren are faithless like a brook; Like streams of the valley that pass away;
16 They who used to reverence me, now have come against me like snow or congealed ice.
Which are turbid by reason of the ice, And the snow, which hideth itself in them.
17 When it has melted at the approach of heat, it is not known what it was.
As soon as they flow forth, they vanish; When the heat cometh, they are dried up from their place.
18 Thus I also have been deserted of all; and I am ruined, and become an outcast.
The caravans turn aside to them on their way; They go up into the desert, and perish.
19 Behold the ways of the Thaemanites, you that mark the paths of the Sabaeans.
The caravans of Tema look for them; The companies of Sheba expect to see them;
20 They too that trust in cities and riches shall come to shame.
They are ashamed that they have relied on them; They come to their place, and are confounded.
21 But you also have come to me without pity; so that beholding my wound you are afraid.
So ye also are nothing; Ye see a terror, and shrink back.
22 What? have I made any demand of you? or do I ask for strength from you,
Have I said, Bring me gifts? Or, Give a present for me out 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 enemy's hand? Or, Rescue me from the hand of the violent?
24 Teach you me, and I will be silent: if in anything I have erred, tell me.
Convince me, and I will hold my peace; 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 powerful are the words of truth! But what do your reproaches prove?
26 Neither will your reproof cause me to cease my words, for neither will I endure the sound of your speech.
Do ye mean to censure words? The words of a man in despair are but wind.
27 Even because you attack the fatherless, and insult your friend.
Truly ye spread a net for the fatherless; Ye dig a pit for your friend.
28 But now, having looked upon your countenances, I will not lie.
Look now upon me, I pray you; For to your very face can I speak falsehood?
29 Sit down now, and let there not be unrighteousness; and unite again with the just.
Return, I pray, and let there be no unfairness; Yea, return; —still is my cause righteous.
30 For there is no injustice in my tongue; and does not my throat meditate understanding?
Is there iniquity on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern what is sinful?
