Job 6
1 Then answered Job, and said,
Then Job answered,
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 anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
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 seas, therefore my words have been 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 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 over the 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 Is ever tasteless food eaten without salt? or is there any flavor in the white of an egg?
Can that which has no flavor 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.
My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.
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, that God would grant 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 crush 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.—
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 my end, that I should yet longer retain my patience?
What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my 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 of bronze?
13 Truly, am I not without my help in me? and is not wise counsel driven far away from me?
Isn’t it that I have no help in me, that wisdom is driven away from me?
14 As though I were one who refuseth kindness to his friend, and 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 brothers are treacherous as a brook, like flowing brooks they pass along;
My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;
16 Which are made turbid by reason of the ice, wherein the snow hideth itself;
which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.
17 At the time when they feel the warmth, they vanish; when it is hot, they are quenched 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 course wind themselves along; they go in the wilderness and are lost.
The caravans that travel beside them turn away. They go up into the waste, and perish.
19 The caravans of Thema look hither, the travelling companies Sheba hope for them;
The caravans 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 distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.
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 a terror, 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 ever say, ‘Give to me’? or, ‘Offer a present for me from your substance’?
23 And deliver me from the hand of the adversary? and redeem from the hand of tyrants?
or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’? or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors’?
24 Teach me, and I will indeed remain silent; and wherein I erred give me to understand.
“Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand my error.
25 How pleasant are straightforward words! but what doth arguing prove?
How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?
26 Do ye think to reprove words, and [to regard] as wind the speeches of one that is despairing?
Do you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
27 Yea, ye would cast any thing upon the fatherless, and ye would dig a pit against your friend.
Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of 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 pleased to look at me, for surely I will not lie to your face.
29 Reflect again, I pray you, there will be no wrong: yea, reflect once more, my righteousness [will be found] therein.
Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.
30 Is there any wrong on my tongue? or should my palate not understand [if I spoke] what is iniquitous?
Is there injustice on my tongue? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?
