< Job 6 >

1 Then Job answered,
Bvt Iob answered, and said,
2 "Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances.
Oh that my griefe were well weighed, and my miseries were layed together in the balance.
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore have my words been rash.
For it woulde be nowe heauier then the sande of the sea: therefore my wordes are swallowed vp.
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 arrowes of the Almightie are in me, the venime whereof doeth drinke vp my spirit, and the terrours of God fight against me.
5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?
Doeth the wilde asse bray when he hath grasse? or loweth the oxe when he hath fodder?
6 Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
That which is vnsauerie, shall it be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egge?
7 My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.
Such things as my soule refused to touch, as were sorowes, are my meate.
8 "Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,
Oh that I might haue my desire, and that God would grant me 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.
That is, that God would destroy me: that he would let his hand go, and cut me off.
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.
Then should I yet haue comfort, (though I burne with sorowe, let him not spare) because I haue not denyed the wordes of the Holy one.
11 What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?
What power haue I that I should endure? or what is mine end, if I should prolong my life?
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 of brasse?
13 Isn't it that I have no help in me, That wisdom is driven quite from me?
Is it not so, that there is in me no helpe? and that strength is taken from me?
14 "To the despairing, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of Shaddai.
He that is in miserie, ought to be comforted of his neighbour: but men haue forsaken the feare of the Almightie.
15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;
My brethre haue deceiued me as a brook, and as the rising of the riuers they passe away.
16 Which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.
Which are blackish with yee, and wherein the snowe is hid.
17 In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
But in time they are dryed vp with heate and are consumed: and when it is hote they faile out of their places,
18 The caravans that travel beside them turn aside. They go up into the waste, and perish.
Or they depart from their way and course, yea, they vanish and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.
They that go to Tema, considered them, and they that goe to Sheba, waited for them.
20 They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.
But they were confounded: when they hoped, they came thither and were ashamed.
21 For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.
Surely nowe are ye like vnto it: ye haue seene my fearefull plague, and are afraide.
22 Did I say, 'Give to me?' or, 'Offer a present for me from your substance?'
Was it because I said, Bring vnto me? or giue a rewarde to me of your substance?
23 or, 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand?' or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?'
And deliuer me from the enemies hande, or ransome me out of the hand of tyrants?
24 "Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
Teach me, and I wil hold my tongue: and cause me to vnderstande, wherein I haue erred.
25 How forcible are words of uprightness. But your reproof, what does it reprove?
Howe stedfast are the wordes of righteousnes? and what can any of you iustly reproue?
26 Do you intend to reprove words, seeing that the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
Doe ye imagine to reproue wordes, that the talke of the afflicted should be as the winde?
27 Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.
Ye make your wrath to fall vpon the fatherlesse, and dig a pit for your friende.
28 Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I shall not lie to your face.
Nowe therefore be content to looke vpon me: for I will not lie before your face.
29 Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.
Turne, I pray you, let there be none iniquitie: returne, I say, and ye shall see yet my righteousnesse in that behalfe.
30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Can't my taste discern mischievous things?
Is there iniquitie in my tongue? doeth not my mouth feele sorowes?

< Job 6 >