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!

O that my sins, whereby I have deserved wrath, and the calamity that I suffer, were weighed in a balance.

3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore my words have been rash.

As the sand of the sea this would appear heavier: therefore my words are full of sorrow:

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 me, the rage whereof drinketh up my spirit, and the terrors of the Lord war against me.

5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?

Will the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or will the ox low when he standeth before a full manger?

6 Can that which has no flavour be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

Or can an unsavoury thing be eaten, that is not seasoned with salt? or can a man taste that which when tasted bringeth death?

7 My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.

The things which before my soul would not touch, now, through anguish are my meats.

8 “Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,

Who will grant that my request may come: and that God may give me what I look for?

9 even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

And that he that hath begun may destroy me, that he may let loose his hand, and cut me off?

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.

And that this may be my comfort, that afflicting me with sorrow, he spare not, nor I contradict the words of the Holy One.

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 can hold out? or what is my end that I should keep patience?

12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of bronze?

My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh of brass.

13 Isn’t it that I have no help in me, that wisdom is driven away from me?

Behold there is no help for me in myself, and my familiar friends also are departed 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.

He that taketh away mercy from his friend, forsaketh the fear of the Lord.

15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;

My brethren have passed by me, as the torrent that passeth swiftly in the valleys.

16 which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.

They that fear the hoary frost, the snow shall fall upon them.

17 In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

At the time when they shall be scattered they shall perish: and after it groweth hot they shall be melted out of their place.

18 The caravans that travel beside them turn away. They go up into the waste, and perish.

The paths of their steps are entangled: they shall walk in vain, and shall perish.

19 The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.

Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.

20 They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.

They are confounded, because I have hoped: they are come also even unto me, and are covered with shame.

21 For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.

Now you are come: and now seeing my affliction you are afraid.

22 Did I ever say, ‘Give to me’? or, ‘Offer a present for me from your substance’?

Did I say: Bring to me, and give me of your substance?

23 or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’? or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors’?

Or deliver me from the hand of the enemy, and rescue me out of the hand of the mighty?

24 “Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand my error.

Teach me, and I will hold my peace: and if I have been ignorant in any thing, instruct me.

25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?

Why have you detracted the words of truth, whereas there is none of you that can reprove me?

26 Do you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?

You dress up speeches only to rebuke, and you utter words to the wind.

27 Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.

You rush in upon the fatherless, and you endeavour to overthrow your friend.

28 Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I will not lie to your face.

However finish what you have begun, give ear, and see whether I lie.

29 Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.

Answer, I beseech you, without contention: and speaking that which is just, judge ye.

30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?

And you shall not And iniquity in my tongue, neither shall folly sound in my mouth.