Job 6
1 Then answered Job, and said,
But Job answered and said,
2 Oh that my vexation could be truly weighed, and my calamity; oh that men might lift it up in the balances at once!
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 is already heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore are my words confused.
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, the poison whereof my spirit drinketh it: 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 Doth the wild ass bray over the grass? or loweth the ox 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 Is ever tasteless food eaten without salt? or is there any flavor in the white of an egg?
Shall bread be eaten without salt? or again, is there taste in empty words?
7 My soul refuseth to touch them: they are unto me like disgusting food.
For my wrath can’t cease; for I perceive my food as the smell of a lion [to be] loathsome.
8 Oh that some one would grant the accomplishment of my request; and that God would grant me the fulfillment of my hope!
For oh that he would grant [my desire], and my petition might come, and the Lord would grant my hope!
9 Yea, that it would please God that he might crush me: that he would let loose his hand, and make an end of me!
Let the Lord begin and wound me, but let him not utterly destroy me.
10 Then would this be still my comfort; yea, I would rejoice in my pain while be would not spare: that I have not gainsaid the commands of the Holy One.—
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.
11 What is my strength, that I should wait? and what my end, that I should yet longer retain my patience?
For what is my strength, that I continue? what is my time, that my soul endures?
12 Is the strength of stones my strength? or is my flesh brazen?
Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
13 Truly, am I not without my help in me? and is not wise counsel driven far away from me?
Or have I not trusted in him? but help is [far] from me.
14 As though I were one who refuseth kindness to his friend, and forsaketh the fear of the Almighty:
Mercy has rejected me; and the visitation of the Lord has disregarded me.
15 My brothers are treacherous as a brook, like flowing brooks they pass along;
My nearest relations have not regarded me; they have passed me by like a failing brook, or like a wave.
16 Which are made turbid by reason of the ice, wherein the snow hideth itself;
They who used to reverence me, now have come against me like snow or congealed ice.
17 At the time when they feel the warmth, they vanish; when it is hot, they are quenched out of their place.
When it has melted at the approach of heat, it is not known what it was.
18 The paths of their course wind themselves along; they go in the wilderness and are lost.
Thus I also have been deserted of all; and I am ruined, and become an outcast.
19 The caravans of Thema look hither, the travelling companies Sheba hope for them;
Behold the ways of the Thaemanites, you that mark the paths of the Sabaeans.
20 But they stand ashamed because they had trusted; they come thither and are made to blush.
They too that trust in cities and riches shall come to shame.
21 For truly now ye are like such a one: ye see my terrible state and are afraid.
But you also have come to me without pity; so that beholding my wound you are afraid.
22 Have I then ever said, Give me something, and out of your property offer a bribe in my behalf?
What? have I made any demand of you? or do I ask for strength from you,
23 And deliver me from the hand of the adversary? and redeem from the hand of tyrants?
to deliver me from enemies, or to rescue me from the hand of the mighty ones?
24 Teach me, and I will indeed remain silent; and wherein I erred give me to understand.
Teach you me, and I will be silent: if in anything I have erred, tell me.
25 How pleasant are straightforward words! but what doth arguing prove?
But as it seems, the words of a true man are vain, because I do not ask strength of you.
26 Do ye think to reprove words, and [to regard] as wind the speeches of one that is despairing?
Neither will your reproof cause me to cease my words, for neither will I endure the sound of your speech.
27 Yea, ye would cast any thing upon the fatherless, and ye would dig a pit against your friend.
Even because you attack the fatherless, and insult your friend.
28 But now, if it please you, turn yourselves toward me, and [say] whether I would lie before your face.
But now, having looked upon your countenances, I will not lie.
29 Reflect again, I pray you, there will be no wrong: yea, reflect once more, my righteousness [will be found] therein.
Sit down now, and let there not be unrighteousness; and unite again with the just.
30 Is there any wrong on my tongue? or should my palate not understand [if I spoke] what is iniquitous?
For there is no injustice in my tongue; and does not my throat meditate understanding?
