Job 6
1 But Job answered, and said:
Then answered Job, and said,
2 O that my sins, whereby I have deserved wrath, and the calamity that I suffer, were weighed in a balance.
Oh that my vexation could be truly weighed, and my calamity; oh that men might lift it up in the balances at once!
3 As the sand of the sea this would appear heavier: therefore my words are full of sorrow:
For now it is already heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore are my words confused.
4 For the arrows of the Lord are in me, the rage whereof drinketh up my spirit, and the terrors of the Lord war against me.
For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof my spirit drinketh it: the terrors of God set themselves in array against me.
5 Will the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or will the ox low when he standeth before a full manger?
Doth the wild ass bray over the grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
6 Or can an unsavoury thing be eaten, that is not seasoned with salt? or can a man taste that which when tasted bringeth death?
Is ever tasteless food eaten without salt? or is there any flavor in the white of an egg?
7 The things which before my soul would not touch, now, through anguish are my meats.
My soul refuseth to touch them: they are unto me like disgusting food.
8 Who will grant that my request may come: and that God may give me what I look for?
Oh that some one would grant the accomplishment of my request; and that God would grant me the fulfillment of my hope!
9 And that he that hath begun may destroy me, that he may let loose his hand, and cut me off?
Yea, that it would please God that he might crush me: that he would let loose his hand, and make an end of me!
10 And that this may be my comfort, that afflicting me with sorrow, he spare not, nor I contradict the words of the Holy One.
Then would this be still my comfort; yea, I would rejoice in my pain while be would not spare: that I have not gainsaid the commands of the Holy One.—
11 For what is my strength, that I can hold out? or what is my end that I should keep patience?
What is my strength, that I should wait? and what my end, that I should yet longer retain my patience?
12 My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh of brass.
Is the strength of stones my strength? or is my flesh brazen?
13 Behold there is no help for me in myself, and my familiar friends also are departed from me.
Truly, am I not without my help in me? and is not wise counsel driven far away from me?
14 He that taketh away mercy from his friend, forsaketh the fear of the Lord.
As though I were one who refuseth kindness to his friend, and forsaketh the fear of the Almighty:
15 My brethren have passed by me, as the torrent that passeth swiftly in the valleys.
My brothers are treacherous as a brook, like flowing brooks they pass along;
16 They that fear the hoary frost, the snow shall fall upon them.
Which are made turbid by reason of the ice, wherein the snow hideth itself;
17 At the time when they shall be scattered they shall perish: and after it groweth hot they shall be melted out of their place.
At the time when they feel the warmth, they vanish; when it is hot, they are quenched out of their place.
18 The paths of their steps are entangled: they shall walk in vain, and shall perish.
The paths of their course wind themselves along; they go in the wilderness and are lost.
19 Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.
The caravans of Thema look hither, the travelling companies Sheba hope for them;
20 They are confounded, because I have hoped: they are come also even unto me, and are covered with shame.
But they stand ashamed because they had trusted; they come thither and are made to blush.
21 Now you are come: and now seeing my affliction you are afraid.
For truly now ye are like such a one: ye see my terrible state and are afraid.
22 Did I say: Bring to me, and give me of your substance?
Have I then ever said, Give me something, and out of your property offer a bribe in my behalf?
23 Or deliver me from the hand of the enemy, and rescue me out of the hand of the mighty?
And deliver me from the hand of the adversary? and redeem from the hand of tyrants?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace: and if I have been ignorant in any thing, instruct me.
Teach me, and I will indeed remain silent; and wherein I erred give me to understand.
25 Why have you detracted the words of truth, whereas there is none of you that can reprove me?
How pleasant are straightforward words! but what doth arguing prove?
26 You dress up speeches only to rebuke, and you utter words to the wind.
Do ye think to reprove words, and [to regard] as wind the speeches of one that is despairing?
27 You rush in upon the fatherless, and you endeavour to overthrow your friend.
Yea, ye would cast any thing upon the fatherless, and ye would dig a pit against your friend.
28 However finish what you have begun, give ear, and see whether I lie.
But now, if it please you, turn yourselves toward me, and [say] whether I would lie before your face.
29 Answer, I beseech you, without contention: and speaking that which is just, judge ye.
Reflect again, I pray you, there will be no wrong: yea, reflect once more, my righteousness [will be found] therein.
30 And you shall not And iniquity in my tongue, neither shall folly sound in my mouth.
Is there any wrong on my tongue? or should my palate not understand [if I spoke] what is iniquitous?
