Job 6
1 But Job answered and said,
Then Job answered,
2 Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
"Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances.
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore have my words been rash.
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 Shaddai 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 when he hath 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 Can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt? or is there [any] taste 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 The things [that] my soul refused to touch [are] as my sorrowful food.
My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.
8 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant [me] the thing that I long for!
"Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,
9 Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off.
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.
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.
11 What [is] my strength, that I should hope? and what [is] my end, that I should prolong my life?
What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?
12 [Is] my strength the strength of stones? or [is] my flesh of brass?
Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of bronze?
13 [Is] not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
Isn't it that I have no help in me, That wisdom is driven quite from me?
14 To him that is afflicted pity [should be shown] from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
"To the despairing, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of Shaddai.
15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, [and] as the stream of brooks they pass away;
My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;
16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, [and] in which the snow is hid:
Which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.
17 In the time when they become warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed 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 way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
The caravans that travel beside them turn aside. They go up into the waste, and perish.
19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.
21 For now ye are nothing: ye see [my] casting down, and are afraid.
For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.
22 Did I say, Bring to me? or Give a reward for me of your substance?
Did I say, 'Give to me?' or, 'Offer a present for me from your substance?'
23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
or, 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand?' or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?'
24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand in what I have erred.
"Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
How forcible are words of uprightness. But your reproof, what does it reprove?
26 Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, [which are] as wind?
Do you intend to reprove words, seeing that the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
27 Yes, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig [a pit] for your friend.
Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.
28 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for [it is] evident to you if I lie.
Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I shall not lie to your face.
29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yes, return again, my righteousness [is] in it.
Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.
30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
Is there injustice on my tongue? Can't my taste discern mischievous things?
