Job 6

1 And Job made answer and said,

But Job answered and said,

2 If only my passion might be measured, and put into the scales against my trouble!

Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!

3 For then its weight would be more than the sand of the seas: because of this my words have been uncontrolled.

For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.

4 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.

For the arrows of the Almighty [are] within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

5 Does the ass of the fields give out his voice when he has grass? or does the ox make sounds over his food?

Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?

6 Will a man take food which has no taste without salt? or is there any taste in the soft substance of purslain?

Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there [any] taste in the white of an egg?

7 My soul has no desire for such things, they are as disease in my food.

The things [that] my soul refused to touch [are] as my sorrowful meat.

8 If only I might have an answer to my prayer, and God would give me my desire!

Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant [me] the thing that I long for!

9 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!

Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

10 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.

Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

11 Have I strength to go on waiting, or have I any end to be looking forward to?

What [is] my strength, that I should hope? and what [is] mine end, that I should prolong my life?

12 Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh brass?

[Is] my strength the strength of stones? or [is] my flesh of brass?

13 I have no help in myself, and wisdom is completely gone from me.

[Is] not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?

14 He whose heart is shut against his friend has given up the fear of the Ruler of all.

To him that is afflicted pity [should be shewed] from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

15 My friends have been false like a stream, like streams in the valleys which come to an end:

My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, [and] as the stream of brooks they pass away;

16 Which are dark because of the ice, and the snow falling into them;

Which are blackish by reason of the ice, [and] wherein the snow is hid:

17 Under the burning sun they are cut off, and come to nothing because of the heat.

What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

18 The camel-trains go out of their way; they go up into the waste and come to destruction.

The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.

19 The camel-trains of Tema were searching with care, the bands of Sheba were waiting for them:

The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

20 They were put to shame because of their hope; they came and their hope was gone.

They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.

21 So have you now become to me; you see my sad condition and are in fear.

For now ye are nothing; ye see [my] casting down, and are afraid.

22 Did I say, Give me something? or, Make a payment for me out of your wealth?

Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

23 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?

Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?

24 Give me teaching and I will be quiet; and make me see my error.

Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25 How pleasing are upright words! but what force is there in your arguments?

How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

26 My words may seem wrong to you, but the words of him who has no hope are for the wind.

Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, [which are] as wind?

27 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.

Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig [a pit] for your friend.

28 Now then, let your eyes be turned to me, for truly I will not say what is false to your face.

Now therefore be content, look upon me; for [it is] evident unto you if I lie.

29 Let your minds be changed, and do not have an evil opinion of me; yes, be changed, for my righteousness is still in me.

Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness [is] in it.

30 Is there evil in my tongue? is not the cause of my trouble clear to me?

Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?