Job 6
1 Then Job answered and said:
Then answered Job, and said,
2 Oh that my vexation were but weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances altogether!
Oh that my vexation could be truly weighed, and my calamity; oh that men might lift it up in the balances at once!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore are my words broken.
For now it is already heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore are my words confused.
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 my spirit drinketh it: the terrors of God 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 over the 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?
Is ever tasteless food eaten without salt? or is there any flavor in the white of an egg?
7 My soul refuseth to touch them; they are as the sickness of my flesh.
My soul refuseth to touch them: they are unto me like disgusting food.
8 Oh that I might have my request, and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
Oh that some one would grant the accomplishment of my request; and that God would grant me the fulfillment of my hope!
9 Even that it would please God to crush me; that He would let loose His hand, and cut me off!
Yea, that it would please God that he might crush me: that he would let loose his hand, and make an end of me!
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 would this be still my comfort; yea, I would rejoice in my pain while be would not spare: that I have not gainsaid the commands 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 wait? and what my end, that I should yet longer retain my patience?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
Is the strength of stones my strength? or is my flesh brazen?
13 Is it that I have no help in me, and that sound wisdom is driven quite from me?
Truly, am I not without my help in me? and is not wise counsel driven far away 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.
As though I were one who refuseth kindness to his friend, and forsaketh the fear of the Almighty:
15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that overflow,
My brothers are treacherous as a brook, like flowing brooks they pass along;
16 Which are black by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow hideth itself;
Which are made turbid by reason of the ice, wherein the snow hideth itself;
17 What time they wax warm, they vanish, when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
At the time when they feel the warmth, they vanish; when it is hot, they are quenched 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 course wind themselves along; they go in the wilderness and are lost.
19 The caravans of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them —
The caravans of Thema look hither, the travelling companies Sheba hope for them;
20 They were ashamed because they had hoped; they came thither, and were confounded.
But they stand ashamed because they had trusted; they come thither and are made to blush.
21 For now ye are become His; ye see a terror, and are afraid.
For truly now ye are like such a one: ye see my terrible state and are afraid.
22 Did I say: 'Give unto me'? or: 'Offer a present for me of your substance'?
Have I then ever said, Give me something, and out of your property offer a bribe in my behalf?
23 or: 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand'? or: 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors'?
And deliver me from the hand of the adversary? and redeem from the hand of tyrants?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
Teach me, and I will indeed remain silent; and wherein I erred give me to understand.
25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But what doth your arguing argue?
How pleasant are straightforward words! but what doth arguing prove?
26 Do ye hold words to be an argument, but the speeches of one that is desperate to be wind?
Do ye think to reprove words, and [to regard] as wind the speeches of one that is despairing?
27 Yea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless, and dig a pit for your friend.
Yea, ye would cast any thing upon the fatherless, and ye would dig a pit against your friend.
28 Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; for surely I shall not lie to your face.
But now, if it please you, turn yourselves toward me, and [say] whether I would lie before your face.
29 Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; yea, return again, my cause is righteous.
Reflect again, I pray you, there will be no wrong: yea, reflect once more, my righteousness [will be found] therein.
30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern crafty devices?
Is there any wrong on my tongue? or should my palate not understand [if I spoke] what is iniquitous?
