Job 6
1 Then Job answered,
But Job answered and said,
2 “Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!
Oh that one would indeed weigh the wrath that is upon me, and take up my griefs in a balance together!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore my words have been rash.
And verily they would be heavier than the sand by the seashore: but, as it seems, my words are vain.
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 Lord are in my body, whose violence drinks up my blood: whenever I am going to speak, they pierce me.
5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?
What then? will the wild ass bray for nothing, if he is not seeking food? or again, will the ox low at the manger, when he has a fodder?
6 Can that which has no flavour be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
Shall bread be eaten without salt? or again, is there taste in empty words?
7 My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.
For my wrath can’t cease; for I perceive my food as the smell of a lion [to be] loathsome.
8 “Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,
For oh that he would grant [my desire], and my petition might come, and the Lord would grant my hope!
9 even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
Let the Lord begin and wound me, but let him not utterly destroy me.
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.
Let the grave be my city, upon the walls of which I have leapt: I will not shrink from it; for I have not denied the holy words of my God.
11 What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?
For what is my strength, that I continue? what is my time, that my soul endures?
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 brass?
13 Isn’t it that I have no help in me, that wisdom is driven away from me?
Or have I not trusted in him? but help is [far] 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.
Mercy has rejected me; and the visitation of the Lord has disregarded me.
15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;
My nearest relations have not regarded me; they have passed me by like a failing brook, or like a wave.
16 which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.
They who used to reverence me, now have come against me like snow or congealed ice.
17 In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
When it has melted at the approach of heat, it is not known what it was.
18 The caravans that travel beside them turn away. They go up into the waste, and perish.
Thus I also have been deserted of all; and I am ruined, and become an outcast.
19 The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.
Behold the ways of the Thaemanites, you that mark the paths of the Sabaeans.
20 They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.
They too that trust in cities and riches shall come to shame.
21 For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.
But you also have come to me without pity; so that beholding my wound you are afraid.
22 Did I ever say, ‘Give to me’? or, ‘Offer a present for me from your substance’?
What? have I made any demand of you? or do I ask for strength from you,
23 or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’? or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors’?
to deliver me from enemies, or to rescue me from the hand of the mighty ones?
24 “Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand my error.
Teach you me, and I will be silent: if in anything I have erred, tell me.
25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?
But as it seems, the words of a true man are vain, because I do not ask strength of you.
26 Do you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?
Neither will your reproof cause me to cease my words, for neither will I endure the sound of your speech.
27 Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.
Even because you attack the fatherless, and insult your friend.
28 Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I will not lie to your face.
But now, having looked upon your countenances, I will not lie.
29 Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.
Sit down now, and let there not be unrighteousness; and unite again with the just.
30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?
For there is no injustice in my tongue; and does not my throat meditate understanding?
