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 one would indeed weigh the wrath that is upon me, and take up my griefs in a balance together!

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

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 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 Lord are in my body, whose violence drinks up my blood: whenever I am going to speak, they pierce 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?

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

Shall bread be eaten without salt? or again, is there taste in empty words?

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

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

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

For oh that he would grant [my desire], and my petition might come, and the Lord would grant my hope!

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!

Let the Lord begin and wound me, but let him not utterly destroy me.

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.

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

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 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.

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

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

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

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

My nearest relations have not regarded me; they have passed me by like a failing brook, or like a wave.

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

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

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

When it has melted at the approach of heat, it is not known what it was.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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