Job 6
1 Bvt Iob answered, and said,
Then Job replied:
2 Oh that my griefe were well weighed, and my miseries were layed together in the balance.
“If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales.
3 For it woulde be nowe heauier then the sande of the sea: therefore my wordes are swallowed vp.
For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas— no wonder my words have been rash.
4 For the arrowes of the Almightie are in me, the venime whereof doeth drinke vp my spirit, and the terrours of God fight 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 Doeth the wilde asse bray when he hath grasse? or loweth the oxe when he hath fodder?
Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder?
6 That which is vnsauerie, shall it be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egge?
Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg?
7 Such things as my soule refused to touch, as were sorowes, are my meate.
My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me.
8 Oh that I might haue my desire, and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
If only my request were granted and God would fulfill my hope:
9 That is, that God would destroy me: that he would let his hand go, 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 haue comfort, (though I burne with sorowe, let him not spare) because I haue not denyed the wordes 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 power haue I that I should endure? or what is mine end, if I should prolong my life?
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? or is my flesh of brasse?
Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?
13 Is it not so, that there is in me no helpe? and that strength is taken from me?
Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me?
14 He that is in miserie, ought to be comforted of his neighbour: but men haue forsaken the feare of the Almightie.
A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brethre haue deceiued me as a brook, and as the rising of the riuers they passe away.
But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow,
16 Which are blackish with yee, and wherein the snowe is hid.
darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow,
17 But in time they are dryed vp with heate and are consumed: and when it is hote they faile out of their places,
but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat.
18 Or they depart from their way and course, yea, they vanish and perish.
Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish.
19 They that go to Tema, considered them, and they that goe to Sheba, waited for them.
The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it.
20 But they were confounded: when they hoped, they came thither and were ashamed.
They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment.
21 Surely nowe are ye like vnto it: ye haue seene my fearefull plague, and are afraide.
For now you are of no help; you see terror, and you are afraid.
22 Was it because I said, Bring vnto me? or giue a rewarde to me of your substance?
Have I ever said, ‘Give me something; offer me a bribe from your wealth;
23 And deliuer me from the enemies hande, or ransome me out of the hand of tyrants?
deliver me from the hand of the enemy; redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’?
24 Teach me, and I wil hold my tongue: and cause me to vnderstande, wherein I haue erred.
Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.
25 Howe stedfast are the wordes of righteousnes? and what can any of you iustly reproue?
How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?
26 Doe ye imagine to reproue wordes, that the talke of the afflicted should be as the winde?
Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair?
27 Ye make your wrath to fall vpon the fatherlesse, and dig a pit for your friende.
You would even cast lots for an orphan and barter away your friend.
28 Nowe therefore be content to looke vpon me: for I will not lie before your face.
But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face?
29 Turne, I pray you, let there be none iniquitie: returne, I say, and ye shall see yet my righteousnesse in that behalfe.
Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.
30 Is there iniquitie in my tongue? doeth not my mouth feele sorowes?
Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice?
