Job 6

1 But Job answered and said,

But Job answered and said,

2 O that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!

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 sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.

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 of which drinketh up my spirit: 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 donkey bray when he hath 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 Can that which is unsavoury 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 The things that my soul refused to touch are as my loathsome food.

For my wrath cannot cease; for I perceive my food as the smell of a lion [to be] loathsome.

8 O that I might have my request; and that God would grant me 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 destroy 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 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.

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 hope? and what is my end, that I should prolong my life?

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 brass?

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

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

Or have I not trusted in him? but help is [far] from me.

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

Mercy has rejected me; and the visitation of the Lord has disregarded me.

15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they 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 blackish by reason of the ice, and in which the snow is hid:

They who used to reverence me, now have come against me like snow or congealed ice.

17 In the time when they become warm, 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 paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.

Thus I also have been deserted of all; and I am ruined, and become an outcast.

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

Behold the ways of the Thaemanites, ye that mark the paths of the Sabaeans.

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

They too that trust in cities and riches shall come to shame.

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

But ye also have come to me without pity; so that beholding my wound ye are afraid.

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

What? have I made any demand of you? or do I ask for strength from you,

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

to deliver me from enemies, or to rescue me from the hand of the mighty ones?

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

Teach ye me, and I will be silent: if in anything I have erred, tell me.

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

But as it seems, the words of a true man are vain, because I do not ask strength of you.

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

Neither will your reproof cause me to cease my words, for neither will I endure the sound of your speech.

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

Even because ye attack the fatherless, and insult your friend.

28 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident to you if I lie.

But now, having looked upon your countenances, I will not lie.

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

Sit down now, and let there not be unrighteousness; and unite again with the just.

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

For there is no injustice in my tongue; and does not my throat meditate understanding?