Job 6
1 But Job answered and said,
Then Job answered and said,
2 Oh that one would indeed weigh the wrath that is upon me, and take up my griefs in a balance together!
“Oh, if only my anguish were weighed; if only all my calamity were laid in the balance!
3 And verily they would be heavier than the sand by the seashore: but, as it seems, my words are vain.
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas. That is why my words were reckless.
4 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.
For the arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks up the poison; the terrors of God have arranged themselves in array against me.
5 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?
Does the wild donkey bray in despair when he has grass? Or does the ox low in hunger when it has fodder?
6 Shall bread be eaten without salt? or again, is there taste in empty words?
Can that which has no taste be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 For my wrath cannot cease; for I perceive my food as the smell of a lion [to be] loathsome.
I refuse to touch them; they are like disgusting food to me.
8 For oh that he would grant [my desire], and my petition might come, and the Lord would grant my hope!
Oh, that I might have my request; oh, that God would grant me the thing I long for:
9 Let the Lord begin and wound me, but let him not utterly destroy me.
that it would please God to crush me once, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off from this life!
10 Let the grave be my city, upon the walls of which I have leaped: I will not shrink from it; for I have not denied the holy words of my God.
May this still be my consolation— even if I exult in pain that does not lessen: that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 For what is my strength, that I continue? what is my time, that my soul endures?
What is my strength, that I should try to wait? What is my end, that I should prolong my life?
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 made of bronze?
13 Or have I not trusted in him? but help is [far] from me.
Is it not true that I have no help in myself, and that wisdom has been driven out of me?
14 Mercy has rejected me; and the visitation of the Lord has disregarded me.
To the person who is about to faint, faithfulness should be shown by his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My nearest relations have not regarded me; they have passed me by like a failing brook, or like a wave.
But my brothers have been as faithful to me as a desert streambed, as channels of water that pass away to nothing,
16 They who used to reverence me, now have come against me like snow or congealed ice.
which are darkened because of ice over them, and because of the snow that hides itself in them.
17 When it has melted at the approach of heat, it is not known what it was.
When they thaw out, they vanish; when it is hot, they melt out of their place.
18 Thus I also have been deserted of all; and I am ruined, and become an outcast.
The caravans that travel by their way turn aside for water; they wander into barren land and then perish.
19 Behold the ways of the Thaemanites, ye that mark the paths of the Sabaeans.
Caravans from Tema looked there, while companies of Sheba hoped in them.
20 They too that trust in cities and riches shall come to shame.
They were disappointed because they had been confident of finding water. They went there, but they were deceived.
21 But ye also have come to me without pity; so that beholding my wound ye are afraid.
For now you friends are nothing to me; you see my dreadful situation and are afraid.
22 What? have I made any demand of you? or do I ask for strength from you,
Did I say to you, 'Give something to me?' Or, 'Offer me a gift from your wealth?'
23 to deliver me from enemies, or to rescue me from the hand of the mighty ones?
Or, 'Save me from my adversary's hand?' Or, 'Ransom me from the hand of my oppressors?'
24 Teach ye me, and I will be silent: if in anything I have erred, tell me.
Teach me, and I will hold my peace; make me understand where I have been wrong.
25 But as it seems, the words of a true man are vain, because I do not ask strength of you.
How painful are truthful words! But your arguments, how do they actually rebuke me?
26 Neither will your reproof cause me to cease my words, for neither will I endure the sound of your speech.
Do you plan to ignore my words, treating the words of a desperate man like the wind?
27 Even because ye attack the fatherless, and insult your friend.
Indeed, you cast lots for a fatherless child, and haggle over your friend like merchandise.
28 But now, having looked upon your countenances, I will not lie.
Now, therefore, please look at me, for surely I would not lie to your face.
29 Sit down now, and let there not be unrighteousness; and unite again with the just.
Relent, I beg you; let there be no injustice with you; Indeed, relent, for my cause is just.
30 For there is no injustice in my tongue; and does not my throat meditate understanding?
Is there evil on my tongue? Cannot my mouth detect malicious things?
