Job 6
1 But Job answered, and said:
Then Job answered,
2 O that my sins, whereby I have deserved wrath, and the calamity that I suffer, were weighed in a balance.
“Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
3 As the sand of the sea this would appear heavier: therefore my words are full of sorrow:
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore my words have been 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 are within me. My spirit drinks up their poison. 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?
Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low 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 has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or 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.
My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.
8 Who will grant that my request may come: and that God may give me what I look for?
“Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,
9 And that he that hath begun may destroy me, that he may let loose his hand, and cut me off?
even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
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.
Let it still be my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn’t spare, that I have not denied the words 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? What is my 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 of bronze?
13 Behold there is no help for me in myself, and my familiar friends also are departed from me.
Isn’t it that I have no help in me, that wisdom is driven away from me?
14 He that taketh away mercy from his friend, forsaketh the fear of the Lord.
“To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brethren have passed by me, as the torrent that passeth swiftly in the valleys.
My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;
16 They that fear the hoary frost, the snow shall fall upon them.
which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides 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.
In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 The paths of their steps are entangled: they shall walk in vain, and shall perish.
The caravans that travel beside them turn away. They go up into the waste, and perish.
19 Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.
The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 They are confounded, because I have hoped: they are come also even unto me, and are covered with shame.
They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.
21 Now you are come: and now seeing my affliction you are afraid.
For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.
22 Did I say: Bring to me, and give me of your substance?
Did I ever say, ‘Give to me’? or, ‘Offer a present for me from 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 adversary’s hand’? or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors’?
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 hold my peace. Cause me to understand my error.
25 Why have you detracted the words of truth, whereas there is none of you that can reprove me?
How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?
26 You dress up speeches only to rebuke, and you utter words to the wind.
Do you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
27 You rush in upon the fatherless, and you endeavour to overthrow your friend.
Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.
28 However finish what you have begun, give ear, and see whether I lie.
Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I will not lie to your face.
29 Answer, I beseech you, without contention: and speaking that which is just, judge ye.
Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.
30 And you shall not And iniquity in my tongue, neither shall folly sound in my mouth.
Is there injustice on my tongue? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?
