Job 6
1 But Job, responding, said:
Then responded Job, 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.
Oh that, weighed, were my vexation, and, my engulfing ruin—into the balances, they would lift up all at once!
3 Compared to the sand of the sea, they would appear heavier, and so my words are full of sorrow.
For, now, beyond the sand of the seas, would it be heavy, On this account, my words, have wandered.
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 Almighty, are in me, The heat whereof, my spirit is drinking up, The, terrors of GOD, array themselves against me.
5 Will the wild ass bray when he has grass? Or will the ox bellow when he stands before a full manger?
Doth the wild ass bray over grass? Or loweth the ox over his fodder?
6 Or can one eat bland food, which is not seasoned with salt? Or can anyone taste that which, if tasted, causes death?
Can that which hath no savour be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 The things that my soul was unwilling to touch before, now, because of anguish, are my foods.
My soul hath refused to touch, Those things, are like disease in my food.
8 Who will grant that my petition may arrive and that God may bestow on me what I expect,
Oh that my request would come! and, my hope, oh that GOD would grant!
9 and that he who, at first, had crushed me, will let loose his hand and cut me down?
That it would please GOD to crush me, That he would set free his hand, and cut me 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 might it still be my comfort, And I might exult in the anguish he would not spare, —That I had not concealed the sayings 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?
What is my strength, that I should hope? Or what mine end, that I should prolong my desire?
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, of bronze?
13 Behold, there is no help for me in myself, and my loved ones also have withdrawn from me.
Is there any help at all in me? Is not, abiding success, driven from me?
14 He who takes away mercy from his friend, abandons the fear of the Lord.
The despairing, from his friend, should have lovingkindness, or, the reverence of the Almighty, he may forsake.
15 My brethren have disregarded me, like a torrent that passes swiftly through the steep valleys.
Mine own brethren, have proved treacherous like a torrent, like a channel of torrents which disappear:
16 Those who fear frost, snow will rush over them.
Which darken by reason of the cold, over them, is a covering made by the snow:
17 At that time, when they are scattered, they will perish, and when it becomes hot, they will be freed from their place.
By the time they begin to thaw, they are dried up, as soon as it is warm, they have vanished out of their place.
18 The paths of their steps are entangled; they will walk in vain and will perish.
Caravans turn aside by their course, they go up into a waste, and are lost:
19 Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.
The caravans of Tema looked about, the travelling companies of Sheba, hoped 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 are ashamed that they had trusted, They have come up to one of them, and are confounded.
21 Now you have arrived, and merely by seeing my affliction, you are afraid.
For, now, ye have come to him, ye see something fearful, and fear.
22 Did I say: “Bring to me and give to me from your necessities?”
Is it that I said, Make me a gift, or, out of your abundance, offer a bribe on my behalf;
23 or, “Free me from the hand of the enemy and rescue me from the hand of the strong?”
And deliver me from the hand of the adversary? And, out of the hand of tyrants, ransom me?
24 Teach me, and I will be silent, and if by chance I have been ignorant of anything, instruct me.
Show me, and, I, will hold my peace, And, wherein I have erred, cause me to understand.
25 Why have you diminished the words of truth, when there is none of you who is able to offer proof against me?
How pleasant are the sayings that are right! But what can a decision from you, decide?
26 You prepare speeches as so much noise, and you offer words into the wind.
To decide words, do ye intend, When, to the wind, are spoken the sayings of one in despair?
27 You encroach upon the orphan, and you strive to undermine your friend.
Surely, the fatherless, ye would assail, and make merchandise of your friend!
28 Such is true, so finish what you have begun. Listen closely, and see if I lie.
But, now, be pleased to turn to me, that it may be, to your faces, if I speak falsehood,
29 Respond, I beg you, without contention, and, speaking what is just, pass judgment.
Reply, I pray you, let there be no perversity, Yea reply even yet, my vindication is in it!
30 And you will not find iniquity on my tongue, nor will foolishness resound in my throat.
Is there, in my tongue, perversity? Or can, my sense, not discern, engulfing ruin?
