Job 6
1 Then answered Job, and said,
But Job answered and said,
2 Oh that my vexation could be truly weighed, and my calamity; oh that men might lift it up in the balances at once!
Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
3 For now it is already heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore are my words confused.
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 it: the terrors of God set themselves in array against me.
For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinks up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.
5 Doth the wild ass bray over the grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
Does the wild ass bray when he has grass? or lows the ox over his fodder?
6 Is ever tasteless food eaten without salt? or is there any flavor in the white of an egg?
Can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 My soul refuseth to touch them: they are unto me like disgusting food.
The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
8 Oh that some one would grant the accomplishment of my request; and that God would grant me the fulfillment of my hope!
Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
9 Yea, that it would please God that he might crush me: that he would let loose his hand, and make an end of me!
Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10 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.—
Then should I yet have comfort; yes, 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 my end, that I should yet longer retain my patience?
What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is my end, that I should prolong my life?
12 Is the strength of stones my strength? or is my flesh brazen?
Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
13 Truly, am I not without my help in me? and is not wise counsel driven far away from me?
Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
14 As though I were one who refuseth kindness to his friend, and forsaketh the fear of the Almighty:
To him that is afflicted pity should be showed from his friend; but he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brothers are treacherous as a brook, like flowing brooks they pass along;
My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
16 Which are made turbid by reason of the ice, wherein the snow hideth itself;
Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
17 At the time when they feel the warmth, they vanish; when it is hot, they are quenched 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 course wind themselves along; they go in the wilderness and are lost.
The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
19 The caravans of Thema look hither, the travelling companies Sheba hope for them;
The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 But they stand ashamed because they had trusted; they come thither and are made to blush.
They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
21 For truly now ye are like such a one: ye see my terrible state and are afraid.
For now you are nothing; you see my casting down, and are afraid.
22 Have I then ever said, Give me something, and out of your property offer a bribe in my behalf?
Did I say, Bring to me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
23 And deliver me from the hand of the adversary? and redeem from the hand of tyrants?
Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
24 Teach me, and I will indeed remain silent; and wherein I erred give me to understand.
Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How pleasant are straightforward words! but what doth arguing prove?
How forcible are right words! but what does your arguing reprove?
26 Do ye think to reprove words, and [to regard] as wind the speeches of one that is despairing?
Do you imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
27 Yea, ye would cast any thing upon the fatherless, and ye would dig a pit against your friend.
Yes, you overwhelm the fatherless, and you dig a pit for your friend.
28 But now, if it please you, turn yourselves toward me, and [say] whether I would lie before your face.
Now therefore be content, look on me; for it is evident to you if I lie.
29 Reflect again, I pray you, there will be no wrong: yea, reflect once more, my righteousness [will be found] therein.
Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yes, return again, my righteousness is in it.
30 Is there any wrong on my tongue? or should my palate not understand [if I spoke] what is iniquitous?
Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
