Job 6

1 Then Job answered and said:

But Job, responding, said:

2 Oh that my vexation were but weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances altogether!

I wish that my sins, for which I deserve wrath, and the calamity that I endure, were weighed out on a balance.

3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore are my words broken.

Compared to the sand of the sea, they would appear heavier, and so my words are full of sorrow.

4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof my spirit drinketh up; the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

For the arrows of the Lord are in me, my spirit drinks of their indignation, and the terrors of the Lord are soldiers against me.

5 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?

Will the wild ass bray when he has grass? Or will the ox bellow when he stands before a full manger?

6 Can that which hath no savour be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the juice of mallows?

Or can one eat bland food, which is not seasoned with salt? Or can anyone taste that which, if tasted, causes death?

7 My soul refuseth to touch them; they are as the sickness of my flesh.

The things that my soul was unwilling to touch before, now, because of anguish, are my foods.

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

Who will grant that my petition may arrive and that God may bestow on me what I expect,

9 Even that it would please God to crush me; that He would let loose His hand, and cut me off!

and that he who, at first, had crushed me, will let loose his hand and cut me down?

10 Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would exult in pain, though He spare not; for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

And may this be my consolation, that in afflicting me with sorrow, although he might not be lenient with me, I still do not contradict the words of the Holy One.

11 What is my strength, that I should wait? and what is mine end, that I should be patient?

For what is my strength, that I may continue? Or what is my goal, so that I may act patiently?

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

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

13 Is it that I have no help in me, and that sound wisdom is driven quite from me?

Behold, there is no help for me in myself, and my loved ones also have withdrawn from me.

14 To him that is ready to faint kindness is due from his friend, even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

He who takes away mercy from his friend, abandons the fear of the Lord.

15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that overflow,

My brethren have disregarded me, like a torrent that passes swiftly through the steep valleys.

16 Which are black by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow hideth itself;

Those who fear frost, snow will rush over them.

17 What time they wax warm, they vanish, when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

At that time, when they are scattered, they will perish, and when it becomes hot, they will be freed from their place.

18 The paths of their way do wind, they go up into the waste, and are lost.

The paths of their steps are entangled; they will walk in vain and will 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 ashamed because they had hoped; they came thither, and were confounded.

They have been thrown into confusion, just as I had hoped; they have even come to me and are overwhelmed with shame.

21 For now ye are become His; ye see a terror, and are afraid.

Now you have arrived, and merely by seeing my affliction, you are afraid.

22 Did I say: 'Give unto me'? or: 'Offer a present for me of your substance'?

Did I say: “Bring to me and give to me from your necessities?”

23 or: 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand'? or: 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors'?

or, “Free me from the hand of the enemy and rescue me from the hand of the strong?”

24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

Teach me, and I will be silent, and if by chance I have been ignorant of anything, instruct me.

25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But what doth your arguing argue?

Why have you diminished the words of truth, when there is none of you who is able to offer proof against me?

26 Do ye hold words to be an argument, but the speeches of one that is desperate to be wind?

You prepare speeches as so much noise, and you offer words into the wind.

27 Yea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless, and dig a pit for your friend.

You encroach upon the orphan, and you strive to undermine your friend.

28 Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; for surely I shall not lie to your face.

Such is true, so finish what you have begun. Listen closely, and see if I lie.

29 Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; yea, return again, my cause is righteous.

Respond, I beg you, without contention, and, speaking what is just, pass judgment.

30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern crafty devices?

And you will not find iniquity on my tongue, nor will foolishness resound in my throat.