Job 6
1 Then Job answered,
Then Job answered and said:
2 "Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances.
O that my grief were weighed thoroughly! That my calamities were put together in the balance!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore have my words been rash.
Surely they would be heavier than the sand of the sea; On this account were my words rash.
4 For the arrows of Shaddai are within me. My spirit drinks up their poison. 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 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?
Doth the wild ass bray in the midst of grass? Or loweth the ox over his fodder?
6 Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste 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 refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.
That which my soul abhorreth to touch Hath become my loathsome food.
8 "Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,
O that I might have my request, And that God would grant me that which I long for!
9 even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off.
That it would please God to destroy me; That he would let loose his hand, and make an end of me!
10 Be it still my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn't spare, that I have not denied the words 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? What is my end, that I should be patient?
What is my strength, that I should hope? And what mine end, that I should be patient?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of bronze?
Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh brass?
13 Isn't it that I have no help in me, That wisdom is driven quite from me?
Alas, there is no help within me! Deliverance is driven from me!
14 "To the despairing, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of Shaddai.
To the afflicted, kindness should be shown by a friend; Else he casteth off the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;
But my brethren are faithless like a brook; Like streams of the valley that pass away;
16 Which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.
Which are turbid by reason of the ice, And the snow, which hideth itself in them.
17 In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed 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 caravans that travel beside them turn aside. They go up into the waste, and perish.
The caravans turn aside to them on their way; They go up into the desert, and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.
The caravans of Tema look for them; The companies of Sheba expect to see them;
20 They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.
They are ashamed that they have relied on them; They come to their place, and are confounded.
21 For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.
So ye also are nothing; Ye see a terror, and shrink back.
22 Did I say, 'Give to me?' or, 'Offer a present for me from your substance?'
Have I said, Bring me gifts? Or, Give a present for me out of 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 enemy's hand? Or, Rescue me from the hand of the violent?
24 "Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
Convince me, and I will hold my peace; Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How forcible are words of uprightness. But your reproof, what does it reprove?
How powerful are the words of truth! But what do your reproaches prove?
26 Do you intend to reprove words, seeing that the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
Do ye mean to censure words? The words of a man in despair are but wind.
27 Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.
Truly ye spread a net for the fatherless; Ye dig a pit for your friend.
28 Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I shall not lie to your face.
Look now upon me, I pray you; For to your very face can I speak falsehood?
29 Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.
Return, I pray, and let there be no unfairness; Yea, return; —still is my cause righteous.
30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Can't my taste discern mischievous things?
Is there iniquity on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern what is sinful?
