Job 6
1 Bvt Iob answered, and said,
But Job, responding, said:
2 Oh that my griefe were well weighed, and my miseries were layed together in the balance.
I wish that my sins, for which I deserve wrath, and the calamity that I endure, were weighed out on a balance.
3 For it woulde be nowe heauier then the sande of the sea: therefore my wordes are swallowed vp.
Compared to the sand of the sea, they would appear heavier, and so my words are full of sorrow.
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 Lord are in me, my spirit drinks of their indignation, and the terrors of the Lord are soldiers against me.
5 Doeth the wilde asse bray when he hath grasse? or loweth the oxe when he hath fodder?
Will the wild ass bray when he has grass? Or will the ox bellow when he stands before a full manger?
6 That which is vnsauerie, shall it be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egge?
Or can one eat bland food, which is not seasoned with salt? Or can anyone taste that which, if tasted, causes death?
7 Such things as my soule refused to touch, as were sorowes, are my meate.
The things that my soul was unwilling to touch before, now, because of anguish, are my foods.
8 Oh that I might haue my desire, and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
Who will grant that my petition may arrive and that God may bestow on me what I expect,
9 That is, that God would destroy me: that he would let his hand go, and cut me off.
and that he who, at first, had crushed me, will let loose his hand and cut me down?
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.
And may this be my consolation, that in afflicting me with sorrow, although he might not be lenient with me, I still do not contradict 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?
For what is my strength, that I may continue? Or what is my goal, so that I may act patiently?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brasse?
My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh made of bronze.
13 Is it not so, that there is in me no helpe? and that strength is taken from me?
Behold, there is no help for me in myself, and my loved ones also have withdrawn from me.
14 He that is in miserie, ought to be comforted of his neighbour: but men haue forsaken the feare of the Almightie.
He who takes away mercy from his friend, abandons the fear of the Lord.
15 My brethre haue deceiued me as a brook, and as the rising of the riuers they passe away.
My brethren have disregarded me, like a torrent that passes swiftly through the steep valleys.
16 Which are blackish with yee, and wherein the snowe is hid.
Those who fear frost, snow will rush over them.
17 But in time they are dryed vp with heate and are consumed: and when it is hote they faile out of their places,
At that time, when they are scattered, they will perish, and when it becomes hot, they will be freed from their place.
18 Or they depart from their way and course, yea, they vanish and perish.
The paths of their steps are entangled; they will walk in vain and will perish.
19 They that go to Tema, considered them, and they that goe to Sheba, waited for them.
Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.
20 But they were confounded: when they hoped, they came thither and were ashamed.
They have been thrown into confusion, just as I had hoped; they have even come to me and are overwhelmed with shame.
21 Surely nowe are ye like vnto it: ye haue seene my fearefull plague, and are afraide.
Now you have arrived, and merely by seeing my affliction, you are afraid.
22 Was it because I said, Bring vnto me? or giue a rewarde to me of your substance?
Did I say: “Bring to me and give to me from your necessities?”
23 And deliuer me from the enemies hande, or ransome me out of the hand of tyrants?
or, “Free me from the hand of the enemy and rescue me from the hand of the strong?”
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, and if by chance I have been ignorant of anything, instruct me.
25 Howe stedfast are the wordes of righteousnes? and what can any of you iustly reproue?
Why have you diminished the words of truth, when there is none of you who is able to offer proof against me?
26 Doe ye imagine to reproue wordes, that the talke of the afflicted should be as the winde?
You prepare speeches as so much noise, and you offer words into the wind.
27 Ye make your wrath to fall vpon the fatherlesse, and dig a pit for your friende.
You encroach upon the orphan, and you strive to undermine your friend.
28 Nowe therefore be content to looke vpon me: for I will not lie before your face.
Such is true, so finish what you have begun. Listen closely, and see if I lie.
29 Turne, I pray you, let there be none iniquitie: returne, I say, and ye shall see yet my righteousnesse in that behalfe.
Respond, I beg you, without contention, and, speaking what is just, pass judgment.
30 Is there iniquitie in my tongue? doeth not my mouth feele sorowes?
And you will not find iniquity on my tongue, nor will foolishness resound in my throat.
