Job 6
1 But Job answered and said,
Then Job answered,
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 anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
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 my words have 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. My spirit drinks up their poison. 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?
Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?
6 Shall bread be eaten without salt? or again, is there taste in empty words?
Can that which has no flavour be eaten without salt? Or 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.
My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food 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, that God would grant 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 leapt: I will not shrink from it; for I have not denied the holy words of my God.
Let it still be my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn’t spare, that 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? What is my 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 of bronze?
13 Or have I not trusted in him? but help is [far] from me.
Isn’t it that I have no help in me, that wisdom is driven away from me?
14 Mercy has rejected me; and the visitation of the Lord has disregarded me.
“To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes 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 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, in which the snow hides itself.
17 When it has melted at the approach of heat, it is not known what it was.
In the dry season, 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 beside them turn away. They go up into the waste, and perish.
19 Behold the ways of the Thaemanites, you 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 distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.
21 But you also have come to me without pity; so that beholding my wound you are afraid.
For now you are nothing. You 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 ever say, ‘Give to me’? or, ‘Offer a present for me from 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 you me, and I will be silent: if in anything I have erred, tell me.
“Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand my error.
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 your reproof, what does it reprove?
26 Neither will your reproof cause me to cease my words, for neither will I endure the sound of your speech.
Do you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
27 Even because you attack the fatherless, and insult your friend.
Yes, you would even cast lots for 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 at me, for surely I will not lie to your face.
29 Sit down now, and let there not be unrighteousness; and unite again with the just.
Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, 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? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?
