Job 6

1 Bvt Iob answered, and said,

But Job answered, and said:

2 Oh that my griefe were well weighed, and my miseries were layed together in the balance.

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

3 For it woulde be nowe heauier then the sande of the sea: therefore my wordes are swallowed vp.

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

4 For the arrowes of the Almightie are in me, the venime whereof doeth drinke vp my spirit, and the terrours of God fight 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 Doeth the wilde asse bray when he hath grasse? or loweth the oxe when he hath fodder?

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

6 That which is vnsauerie, shall it be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egge?

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 Such things as my soule refused to touch, as were sorowes, are my meate.

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

8 Oh that I might haue my desire, and that God would grant me 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 That is, that God would destroy me: that he would let his hand go, 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 Then should I yet haue comfort, (though I burne with sorowe, let him not spare) because I haue not denyed the wordes 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 power haue I that I should endure? or what is mine end, if I should prolong my life?

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 brasse?

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

13 Is it not so, that there is in me no helpe? and that strength is taken from me?

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

14 He that is in miserie, ought to be comforted of his neighbour: but men haue forsaken the feare of the Almightie.

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

15 My brethre haue deceiued me as a brook, and as the rising of the riuers they passe away.

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

16 Which are blackish with yee, and wherein the snowe is hid.

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

17 But in time they are dryed vp with heate and are consumed: and when it is hote they faile out of their places,

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 Or they depart from their way and course, yea, they vanish and perish.

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

19 They that go to Tema, considered them, and they that goe to Sheba, waited for them.

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

20 But they were confounded: when they hoped, they came thither and were ashamed.

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

21 Surely nowe are ye like vnto it: ye haue seene my fearefull plague, and are afraide.

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

22 Was it because I said, Bring vnto me? or giue a rewarde to me of your substance?

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

23 And deliuer me from the enemies hande, or ransome me out of the hand of tyrants?

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

24 Teach me, and I wil hold my tongue: and cause me to vnderstande, wherein I haue erred.

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

25 Howe stedfast are the wordes of righteousnes? and what can any of you iustly reproue?

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

26 Doe ye imagine to reproue wordes, that the talke of the afflicted should be as the winde?

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

27 Ye make your wrath to fall vpon the fatherlesse, and dig a pit for your friende.

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

28 Nowe therefore be content to looke vpon me: for I will not lie before your face.

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

29 Turne, I pray you, let there be none iniquitie: returne, I say, and ye shall see yet my righteousnesse in that behalfe.

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

30 Is there iniquitie in my tongue? doeth not my mouth feele sorowes?

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