Job 6
1 Then Job answered and said:
But Job answered and said,
2 Oh that my vexation were but weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances altogether!
Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore are my words broken.
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof my spirit drinketh up; the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.
For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of Eloah do set themselves in array against me.
5 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
6 Can that which hath no savour be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the juice of mallows?
Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 My soul refuseth to touch them; they are as the sickness of my flesh.
The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
8 Oh that I might have my request, and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
Oh that I might have my request; and that Eloah would grant me the thing that I long for!
9 Even that it would please God to crush me; that He would let loose His hand, and cut me off!
Even that it would please Eloah to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10 Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would exult in pain, though He spare not; for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
11 What is my strength, that I should wait? and what is mine end, that I should be patient?
What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
13 Is it that I have no help in me, and that sound wisdom is driven quite from me?
Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
14 To him that is ready to faint kindness is due from his friend, even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that overflow,
My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
16 Which are black by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow hideth itself;
Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
17 What time they wax warm, they vanish, when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 The paths of their way do wind, they go up into the waste, and are lost.
The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them —
The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 They were ashamed because they had hoped; they came thither, and were confounded.
They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
21 For now ye are become His; ye see a terror, and are afraid.
For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.
22 Did I say: 'Give unto me'? or: 'Offer a present for me of your substance'?
Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
23 or: 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand'? or: 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors'?
Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But what doth your arguing argue?
How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
26 Do ye hold words to be an argument, but the speeches of one that is desperate to be wind?
Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
27 Yea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless, and dig a pit for your friend.
Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
28 Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; for surely I shall not lie to your face.
Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
29 Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; yea, return again, my cause is righteous.
Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern crafty devices?
Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
