Job 6
1 But Job answered, and said:
Then Job answered and said:
2 O that my sins, whereby I have deserved wrath, and the calamity that I suffer, were weighed in a balance.
O that my grief were weighed thoroughly! That my calamities were put together in the balance!
3 As the sand of the sea this would appear heavier: therefore my words are full of sorrow:
Surely they would be heavier than the sand of the sea; On this account were my words rash.
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 have pierced me; Their poison drinketh up my spirit; 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 in the midst of 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?
Can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 The things which before my soul would not touch, now, through anguish are my meats.
That which my soul abhorreth to touch Hath become my loathsome food.
8 Who will grant that my request may come: and that God may give me what I look for?
O that I might have my request, And that God would grant me that which I long for!
9 And that he that hath begun may destroy me, that he may let loose his hand, and cut me off?
That it would please God to destroy 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.
Yet it should still be my consolation, Yea, in unsparing anguish I would exult, That I have not denied 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 hope? And what mine end, that I should be patient?
12 My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh of brass.
Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh brass?
13 Behold there is no help for me in myself, and my familiar friends also are departed from me.
Alas, there is no help within me! Deliverance is driven from me!
14 He that taketh away mercy from his friend, forsaketh the fear of the Lord.
To the afflicted, kindness should be shown by a friend; Else he casteth off the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brethren have passed by me, as the torrent that passeth swiftly in the valleys.
But my brethren are faithless like a brook; Like streams of the valley that pass away;
16 They that fear the hoary frost, the snow shall fall upon them.
Which are turbid by reason of the ice, And the snow, which hideth itself in them.
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.
As soon as they flow forth, they vanish; When the heat cometh, they are dried up from their place.
18 The paths of their steps are entangled: they shall walk in vain, and shall perish.
The caravans turn aside to them on their way; They go up into the desert, and perish.
19 Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.
The caravans of Tema look for them; The companies of Sheba expect to see them;
20 They are confounded, because I have hoped: they are come also even unto me, and are covered with shame.
They are ashamed that they have relied on them; They come to their place, and are confounded.
21 Now you are come: and now seeing my affliction you are afraid.
So ye also are nothing; Ye see a terror, and shrink back.
22 Did I say: Bring to me, and give me of your substance?
Have I said, Bring me gifts? Or, Give a present for me out of your substance?
23 Or deliver me from the hand of the enemy, and rescue me out of the hand of the mighty?
Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? Or, Rescue me from the hand of the violent?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace: and if I have been ignorant in any thing, instruct me.
Convince me, and I will hold my peace; Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 Why have you detracted the words of truth, whereas there is none of you that can reprove me?
How powerful are the words of truth! But what do your reproaches prove?
26 You dress up speeches only to rebuke, and you utter words to the wind.
Do ye mean to censure words? The words of a man in despair are but wind.
27 You rush in upon the fatherless, and you endeavour to overthrow your friend.
Truly ye spread a net for the fatherless; Ye dig a pit for your friend.
28 However finish what you have begun, give ear, and see whether I lie.
Look now upon me, I pray you; For to your very face can I speak falsehood?
29 Answer, I beseech you, without contention: and speaking that which is just, judge ye.
Return, I pray, and let there be no unfairness; Yea, return; —still is my cause righteous.
30 And you shall not And iniquity in my tongue, neither shall folly sound in my mouth.
Is there iniquity on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern what is sinful?
