Job 6
1 Then Job answered,
And Job made answer and said,
2 “Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
If only my passion might be measured, and put into the scales against my trouble!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore my words have been rash.
For then its weight would be more than the sand of the seas: because of this my words have been uncontrolled.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me. My spirit drinks up their poison. The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.
For the arrows of the Ruler of all are present with me, and their poison goes deep into my spirit: his army of fears is put in order against me.
5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?
Does the ass of the fields give out his voice when he has grass? or does the ox make sounds over his food?
6 Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
Will a man take food which has no taste without salt? or is there any taste in the soft substance of purslain?
7 My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.
My soul has no desire for such things, they are as disease in my food.
8 “Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,
If only I might have an answer to my prayer, and God would give me my desire!
9 even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
If only he would be pleased to put an end to me; and would let loose his hand, so that I might be cut off!
10 Let it still be my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn’t spare, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
So I would still have comfort, and I would have joy in the pains of death, for I have not been false to the words of the Holy One.
11 What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?
Have I strength to go on waiting, or have I any end to be looking forward to?
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 away from me?
I have no help in myself, and wisdom is completely gone from me.
14 “To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
He whose heart is shut against his friend has given up the fear of the Ruler of all.
15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;
My friends have been false like a stream, like streams in the valleys which come to an end:
16 which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.
Which are dark because of the ice, and the snow falling into them;
17 In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
Under the burning sun they are cut off, and come to nothing because of the heat.
18 The caravans that travel beside them turn away. They go up into the waste, and perish.
The camel-trains go out of their way; they go up into the waste and come to destruction.
19 The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.
The camel-trains of Tema were searching with care, the bands of Sheba were waiting for them:
20 They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.
They were put to shame because of their hope; they came and their hope was gone.
21 For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.
So have you now become to me; you see my sad condition and are in fear.
22 Did I ever say, ‘Give to me’? or, ‘Offer a present for me from your substance’?
Did I say, Give me something? or, Make a payment for me out of your wealth?
23 or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’? or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors’?
Or, Get me out of the power of my hater? or, Give money so that I may be free from the power of the cruel ones?
24 “Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand my error.
Give me teaching and I will be quiet; and make me see my error.
25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?
How pleasing are upright words! but what force is there in your arguments?
26 Do you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
My words may seem wrong to you, but the words of him who has no hope are for the wind.
27 Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.
Truly, you are such as would give up the child of a dead man to his creditors, and would make a profit out of your friend.
28 Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I will not lie to your face.
Now then, let your eyes be turned to me, for truly I will not say what is false to your face.
29 Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.
Let your minds be changed, and do not have an evil opinion of me; yes, be changed, for my righteousness is still in me.
30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?
Is there evil in my tongue? is not the cause of my trouble clear to me?
