Job 6

1 Then Job answered and said,

And Job made answer and said,

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

If only my passion might be measured, and put into the scales against my trouble!

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

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

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 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.

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

Does the ass of the fields give out his voice when he has grass? or does the ox make sounds over his food?

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

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

7 My soul refuseth to touch [them]; they are as loathsome meat to me.

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

8 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant [me] the thing that I long for.

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

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

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!

10 Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would exult in pain that spareth not: for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

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.

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

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

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

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

13 Is it not that I have no help in me, and that effectual working is driven quite from me?

I have no help in myself, and wisdom is completely gone from me.

14 To him that is ready to faint kindness [should be shewed] from his friend; even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

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

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

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

16 Which are black by reason of the ice, [and] wherein the snow hideth itself:

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

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

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

18 The caravans [that travel] by the way of them turn aside; they go up into the waste, and perish.

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

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

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

20 They were ashamed because they had hoped; they came thither, and were confounded.

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

21 For now ye are nothing; ye see a terror, and are afraid.

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

22 Did I say, Give unto me? or, offer a present for me of your substance?

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

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

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?

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

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

25 How forcible are words of uprightness! but what doth your arguing reprove?

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

26 Do ye imagine to reprove words? seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind.

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

27 Yea, ye would cast [lots] upon the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.

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.

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

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

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

Let your minds be changed, and do not have an evil opinion of me; yes, be changed, for my righteousness is still in me.

30 Is there injustice on my tongue? cannot my taste discern mischievous things?

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