Job 6
1 Then answered Job, and said,
Then 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!
O that my grief were weighed thoroughly! That my calamities were put together in the balance!
3 For now it is already heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore are my words confused.
Surely they would be heavier than the sand of the sea; On this account were my words rash.
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 have pierced me; Their poison drinketh up my spirit; The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.
5 Doth the wild ass bray over the grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
Doth the wild ass bray in the midst of grass? Or loweth 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? Is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 My soul refuseth to touch them: they are unto me like disgusting food.
That which my soul abhorreth to touch Hath become my loathsome food.
8 Oh that some one would grant the accomplishment of my request; and that God would grant me the fulfillment of my hope!
O that I might have my request, And that God would grant me that which 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!
That it would please God to destroy me; That he would let loose his hand, and make an end of me!
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.—
Yet it should still be my consolation, Yea, in unsparing anguish I would exult, That I have not denied the commands 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 mine end, that I should be patient?
12 Is the strength of stones my strength? or is my flesh brazen?
Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh brass?
13 Truly, am I not without my help in me? and is not wise counsel driven far away from me?
Alas, there is no help within me! Deliverance is driven from me!
14 As though I were one who refuseth kindness to his friend, and forsaketh the fear of the Almighty:
To the afflicted, kindness should be shown by a friend; Else he casteth off the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brothers are treacherous as a brook, like flowing brooks they pass along;
But my brethren are faithless like a brook; Like streams of the valley that pass away;
16 Which are made turbid by reason of the ice, wherein the snow hideth itself;
Which are turbid by reason of the ice, And the snow, which hideth itself in them.
17 At the time when they feel the warmth, they vanish; when it is hot, they are quenched out of their place.
As soon as they flow forth, they vanish; When the heat cometh, they are dried up from their place.
18 The paths of their course wind themselves along; they go in the wilderness and are lost.
The caravans turn aside to them on their way; They go up into the desert, and perish.
19 The caravans of Thema look hither, the travelling companies Sheba hope for them;
The caravans of Tema look for them; The companies of Sheba expect to see them;
20 But they stand ashamed because they had trusted; they come thither and are made to blush.
They are ashamed that they have relied on them; They come to their place, and are confounded.
21 For truly now ye are like such a one: ye see my terrible state and are afraid.
So ye also are nothing; Ye see a terror, and shrink back.
22 Have I then ever said, Give me something, and out of your property offer a bribe in my behalf?
Have I said, Bring me gifts? Or, Give a present for me out 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, Rescue me from the hand of the violent?
24 Teach me, and I will indeed remain silent; and wherein I erred give me to understand.
Convince me, and I will hold my peace; Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How pleasant are straightforward words! but what doth arguing prove?
How powerful are the words of truth! But what do your reproaches prove?
26 Do ye think to reprove words, and [to regard] as wind the speeches of one that is despairing?
Do ye mean to censure words? The words of a man in despair are but wind.
27 Yea, ye would cast any thing upon the fatherless, and ye would dig a pit against your friend.
Truly ye spread a net for the fatherless; Ye 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.
Look now upon me, I pray you; For to your very face can I speak falsehood?
29 Reflect again, I pray you, there will be no wrong: yea, reflect once more, my righteousness [will be found] therein.
Return, I pray, and let there be no unfairness; Yea, return; —still is my cause righteous.
30 Is there any wrong on my tongue? or should my palate not understand [if I spoke] what is iniquitous?
Is there iniquity on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern what is sinful?
