Job 6
1 And Job answered and said,
Then Job replied:
2 Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
“If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales.
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore my words are vehement.
For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas— no wonder my words have been rash.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, their poison drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
5 Doth the wild ass bray by the grass? loweth an ox over his fodder?
Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder?
6 Shall that which is insipid be eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the white of an egg?
Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg?
7 What my soul refuseth to touch, that is as my loathsome food.
My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me.
8 Oh that I might have my request, and that God would grant my desire!
If only my request were granted and God would fulfill my hope:
9 And that it would please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!
that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off!
10 Then should I yet have comfort; and in the pain which spareth not I would rejoice that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
It still brings me comfort, and joy through unrelenting pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should have patience?
What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? is my flesh of brass?
Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?
13 Is it not that there is no help in me, and soundness is driven away from me?
Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me?
14 For him that is fainting kindness [is meet] from his friend; or he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a stream, as the channel of streams which pass away,
But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow,
16 Which are turbid by reason of the ice, in which the snow hideth itself:
darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow,
17 At the time they diminish, they are dried up; when heat affecteth them, they vanish from their place:
but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat.
18 They wind about in the paths of their course, they go off into the waste and perish.
Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba counted on them:
The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it.
20 They are ashamed at their hope; they come thither, and are confounded.
They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment.
21 So now ye are nothing; ye see a terrible object and are afraid.
For now you are of no help; you see terror, and you are afraid.
22 Did I say, Bring unto me, and make me a present from your substance?
Have I ever said, ‘Give me something; offer me a bribe from your wealth;
23 Or, rescue me from the hand of the oppressor, and redeem me from the hand of the violent?
deliver me from the hand of the enemy; redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.
25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your upbraiding reprove?
How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?
26 Do ye imagine to reprove words? The speeches of one that is desperate are indeed for the wind.
Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair?
27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and dig [a pit] for your friend.
You would even cast lots for an orphan and barter away your friend.
28 Now therefore if ye will, look upon me; and it shall be to your face if I lie.
But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face?
29 Return, I pray you, let there be no wrong; yea, return again, my righteousness shall be in it.
Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.
30 Is there wrong in my tongue? cannot my taste discern mischievous things?
Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice?
