Job 6

1 But Job answered, and said:

But Job answered and said,

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

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

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

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 Lord are in me, the rage whereof drinketh up my spirit, and the terrors of the Lord war 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 Will the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or will the ox low when he standeth before a full manger?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Let the grave be my city, upon the walls of which I have leapt: I will not shrink from it; for I have not denied the holy words of my God.

11 For what is my strength, that I can hold out? or what is my end that I should keep patience?

For what is my strength, that I continue? what is my time, that my soul endures?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

17 At the time when they shall be scattered they shall perish: and after it groweth hot they shall be melted 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 steps are entangled: they shall walk in vain, and shall perish.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

22 Did I say: Bring to me, and give 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 hand of the enemy, and rescue me out of 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 peace: and if I have been ignorant in any thing, instruct me.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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