Job 6
1 But Job answered and said,
But Job, responding, said:
2 Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
I wish that my sins, for which I deserve wrath, and the calamity that I endure, were weighed out on a balance.
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
Compared to the sand of the sea, they would appear heavier, and so my words are full of sorrow.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty [are] within me, the poison of which drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God set themselves in array against me.
For the arrows of the Lord are in me, my spirit drinks of their indignation, and the terrors of the Lord are soldiers against me.
5 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
Will the wild ass bray when he has grass? Or will the ox bellow when he stands before a full manger?
6 Can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt? or is there [any] taste in the white of an egg?
Or can one eat bland food, which is not seasoned with salt? Or can anyone taste that which, if tasted, causes death?
7 The things [that] my soul refused to touch [are] as my sorrowful food.
The things that my soul was unwilling to touch before, now, because of anguish, are my foods.
8 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant [me] the thing that I long for!
Who will grant that my petition may arrive and that God may bestow on me what I expect,
9 Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
and that he who, at first, had crushed me, will let loose his hand and cut me down?
10 Then should I yet have comfort; yes, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
And may this be my consolation, that in afflicting me with sorrow, although he might not be lenient with me, I still do not contradict the words of the Holy One.
11 What [is] my strength, that I should hope? and what [is] my end, that I should prolong my life?
For what is my strength, that I may continue? Or what is my goal, so that I may act patiently?
12 [Is] my strength the strength of stones? or [is] my flesh of brass?
My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh made of bronze.
13 [Is] not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
Behold, there is no help for me in myself, and my loved ones also have withdrawn from me.
14 To him that is afflicted pity [should be shown] from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
He who takes away mercy from his friend, abandons the fear of the Lord.
15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, [and] as the stream of brooks they pass away;
My brethren have disregarded me, like a torrent that passes swiftly through the steep valleys.
16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, [and] in which the snow is hid:
Those who fear frost, snow will rush over them.
17 In the time when they become warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
At that time, when they are scattered, they will perish, and when it becomes hot, they will be freed from their place.
18 The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
The paths of their steps are entangled; they will walk in vain and will perish.
19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.
20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
They have been thrown into confusion, just as I had hoped; they have even come to me and are overwhelmed with shame.
21 For now ye are nothing: ye see [my] casting down, and are afraid.
Now you have arrived, and merely by seeing my affliction, you are afraid.
22 Did I say, Bring to me? or Give a reward for me of your substance?
Did I say: “Bring to me and give to me from your necessities?”
23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
or, “Free me from the hand of the enemy and rescue me from the hand of the strong?”
24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand in what I have erred.
Teach me, and I will be silent, and if by chance I have been ignorant of anything, instruct me.
25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
Why have you diminished the words of truth, when there is none of you who is able to offer proof against me?
26 Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, [which are] as wind?
You prepare speeches as so much noise, and you offer words into the wind.
27 Yes, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig [a pit] for your friend.
You encroach upon the orphan, and you strive to undermine your friend.
28 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for [it is] evident to you if I lie.
Such is true, so finish what you have begun. Listen closely, and see if I lie.
29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yes, return again, my righteousness [is] in it.
Respond, I beg you, without contention, and, speaking what is just, pass judgment.
30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
And you will not find iniquity on my tongue, nor will foolishness resound in my throat.
