Job 6
1 Then Job answered and said,
Then answered Job, and said,
2 “Oh, if only my anguish were weighed; if only all my calamity were laid in the balance!
Oh that my vexation could be truly weighed, and my calamity; oh that men might lift it up in the balances at once!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas. That is why my words were reckless.
For now it is already heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore are my words confused.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks up the poison; the terrors of God have arranged themselves in array against me.
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.
5 Does the wild donkey bray in despair when he has grass? Or does the ox low in hunger when it has fodder?
Doth the wild ass bray over the grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
6 Can that which has no taste be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
Is ever tasteless food eaten without salt? or is there any flavor in the white of an egg?
7 I refuse to touch them; they are like disgusting food to me.
My soul refuseth to touch them: they are unto me like disgusting food.
8 Oh, that I might have my request; oh, that God would grant me the thing I long for:
Oh that some one would grant the accomplishment of my request; and that God would grant me the fulfillment of my hope!
9 that it would please God to crush me once, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off from this life!
Yea, that it would please God that he might crush me: that he would let loose his hand, and make an end of me!
10 May this still be my consolation— even if I exult in pain that does not lessen: that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
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.—
11 What is my strength, that I should try to wait? What is my end, that I should prolong my life?
What is my strength, that I should wait? and what my end, that I should yet longer retain my patience?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh made of bronze?
Is the strength of stones my strength? or is my flesh brazen?
13 Is it not true that I have no help in myself, and that wisdom has been driven out of me?
Truly, am I not without my help in me? and is not wise counsel driven far away from me?
14 To the person who is about to faint, faithfulness should be shown by his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
As though I were one who refuseth kindness to his friend, and forsaketh the fear of the Almighty:
15 But my brothers have been as faithful to me as a desert streambed, as channels of water that pass away to nothing,
My brothers are treacherous as a brook, like flowing brooks they pass along;
16 which are darkened because of ice over them, and because of the snow that hides itself in them.
Which are made turbid by reason of the ice, wherein the snow hideth itself;
17 When they thaw out, they vanish; when it is hot, they melt out of their place.
At the time when they feel the warmth, they vanish; when it is hot, they are quenched out of their place.
18 The caravans that travel by their way turn aside for water; they wander into barren land and then perish.
The paths of their course wind themselves along; they go in the wilderness and are lost.
19 Caravans from Tema looked there, while companies of Sheba hoped in them.
The caravans of Thema look hither, the travelling companies Sheba hope for them;
20 They were disappointed because they had been confident of finding water. They went there, but they were deceived.
But they stand ashamed because they had trusted; they come thither and are made to blush.
21 For now you friends are nothing to me; you see my dreadful situation and are afraid.
For truly now ye are like such a one: ye see my terrible state and are afraid.
22 Did I say to you, 'Give something to me?' Or, 'Offer me a gift from your wealth?'
Have I then ever said, Give me something, and out of your property offer a bribe in my behalf?
23 Or, 'Save me from my adversary's hand?' Or, 'Ransom me from the hand of my oppressors?'
And deliver me from the hand of the adversary? and redeem from the hand of tyrants?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace; make me understand where I have been wrong.
Teach me, and I will indeed remain silent; and wherein I erred give me to understand.
25 How painful are truthful words! But your arguments, how do they actually rebuke me?
How pleasant are straightforward words! but what doth arguing prove?
26 Do you plan to ignore my words, treating the words of a desperate man like the wind?
Do ye think to reprove words, and [to regard] as wind the speeches of one that is despairing?
27 Indeed, you cast lots for a fatherless child, and haggle over your friend like merchandise.
Yea, ye would cast any thing upon the fatherless, and ye would dig a pit against your friend.
28 Now, therefore, please look at me, for surely I would not lie to your face.
But now, if it please you, turn yourselves toward me, and [say] whether I would lie before your face.
29 Relent, I beg you; let there be no injustice with you; Indeed, relent, for my cause is just.
Reflect again, I pray you, there will be no wrong: yea, reflect once more, my righteousness [will be found] therein.
30 Is there evil on my tongue? Cannot my mouth detect malicious things?
Is there any wrong on my tongue? or should my palate not understand [if I spoke] what is iniquitous?
