Job 6
1 But Job, responding, said:
And Job made answer and said,
2 I wish that my sins, for which I deserve wrath, and the calamity that I endure, were weighed out on a balance.
If only my passion might be measured, and put into the scales against my trouble!
3 Compared to the sand of the sea, they would appear heavier, and so my words are full of sorrow.
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 me, my spirit drinks of their indignation, and the terrors of the Lord are soldiers against 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 Will the wild ass bray when he has grass? Or will the ox bellow when he stands before a full manger?
Does the ass of the fields give out his voice when he has grass? or does the ox make sounds over his food?
6 Or can one eat bland food, which is not seasoned with salt? Or can anyone taste that which, if tasted, causes death?
Will a man take food which has no taste without salt? or is there any taste in the soft substance of purslain?
7 The things that my soul was unwilling to touch before, now, because of anguish, are my foods.
My soul has no desire for such things, they are as disease in my food.
8 Who will grant that my petition may arrive and that God may bestow on me what I expect,
If only I might have an answer to my prayer, and God would give me my desire!
9 and that he who, at first, had crushed me, will let loose his hand and cut me down?
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 And may this be my consolation, that in afflicting me with sorrow, although he might not be lenient with me, I still do not contradict the words of the Holy One.
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 may continue? Or what is my goal, so that I may act patiently?
Have I strength to go on waiting, or have I any end to be looking forward to?
12 My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh made of bronze.
Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh brass?
13 Behold, there is no help for me in myself, and my loved ones also have withdrawn from me.
I have no help in myself, and wisdom is completely gone from me.
14 He who takes away mercy from his friend, abandons the fear of the Lord.
He whose heart is shut against his friend has given up the fear of the Ruler of all.
15 My brethren have disregarded me, like a torrent that passes swiftly through the steep valleys.
My friends have been false like a stream, like streams in the valleys which come to an end:
16 Those who fear frost, snow will rush over them.
Which are dark because of the ice, and the snow falling into them;
17 At that time, when they are scattered, they will perish, and when it becomes hot, they will be freed from their place.
Under the burning sun they are cut off, and come to nothing because of the heat.
18 The paths of their steps are entangled; they will walk in vain and will perish.
The camel-trains go out of their way; they go up into the waste and come to destruction.
19 Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.
The camel-trains of Tema were searching with care, the bands of Sheba were waiting for them:
20 They have been thrown into confusion, just as I had hoped; they have even come to me and are overwhelmed with shame.
They were put to shame because of their hope; they came and their hope was gone.
21 Now you have arrived, and merely by seeing my affliction, you are afraid.
So have you now become to me; you see my sad condition and are in fear.
22 Did I say: “Bring to me and give to me from your necessities?”
Did I say, Give me something? or, Make a payment for me out of your wealth?
23 or, “Free me from the hand of the enemy and rescue me from the hand of the strong?”
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 me, and I will be silent, and if by chance I have been ignorant of anything, instruct me.
Give me teaching and I will be quiet; and make me see my error.
25 Why have you diminished the words of truth, when there is none of you who is able to offer proof against me?
How pleasing are upright words! but what force is there in your arguments?
26 You prepare speeches as so much noise, and you offer words into the wind.
My words may seem wrong to you, but the words of him who has no hope are for the wind.
27 You encroach upon the orphan, and you strive to undermine 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 Such is true, so finish what you have begun. Listen closely, and see if I lie.
Now then, let your eyes be turned to me, for truly I will not say what is false to your face.
29 Respond, I beg you, without contention, and, speaking what is just, pass judgment.
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 And you will not find iniquity on my tongue, nor will foolishness resound in my throat.
Is there evil in my tongue? is not the cause of my trouble clear to me?
