Job 6

1 Then Job answered and said:

Then Job answered,

2 Oh that my vexation were but weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances altogether!

“Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!

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 seas, therefore my words have been rash.

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. My spirit drinks up their poison. 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?

Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low 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 has no flavour 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.

My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.

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, that God would grant 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 God to crush 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.

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 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? What is my end, that I should be patient?

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 bronze?

13 Is it that I have no help in me, and that sound wisdom is driven quite from me?

Isn’t it that I have no help in me, that wisdom is driven 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.

“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 dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that overflow,

My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;

16 Which are black by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow hideth itself;

which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.

17 What time they wax warm, they vanish, when it is hot, they are consumed 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 way do wind, they go up into the waste, and are lost.

The caravans that travel beside them turn away. They go up into the waste, and perish.

19 The caravans of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them —

The caravans 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 distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.

21 For now ye are become His; ye see a terror, and are afraid.

For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.

22 Did I say: 'Give unto me'? or: 'Offer a present for 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 adversary's hand'? or: 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors'?

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 cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

“Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand my error.

25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But what doth your arguing argue?

How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?

26 Do ye hold words to be an argument, but the speeches of one that is desperate to be wind?

Do you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?

27 Yea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless, and dig a pit for your friend.

Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.

28 Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; for surely I shall not lie to your face.

Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I will not lie to your face.

29 Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; yea, return again, my cause is righteous.

Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.

30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern crafty devices?

Is there injustice on my tongue? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?