Job 6

1 Then Job answered and said,

But Job answered and said,

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

Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!

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

For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.

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 Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinks up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

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

Does the wild ass bray when he has grass? or lows the ox over his fodder?

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

Can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

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

The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.

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

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

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

Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me 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.

Then should I yet have comfort; yes, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed 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?

What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is my end, that I should prolong my life?

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 of brass?

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

Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite 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.

To him that is afflicted pity should be showed from his friend; but he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

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

My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;

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

Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:

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

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

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

The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.

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

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

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

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

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

For now you are nothing; you see my casting down, and are afraid.

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

Did I say, Bring to me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

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

Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?

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

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

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

How forcible are right words! but what does your arguing reprove?

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

Do you imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?

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

Yes, you overwhelm the fatherless, and you dig a pit for your friend.

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

Now therefore be content, look on me; for it is evident to you if I lie.

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

Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yes, return again, my righteousness is in it.

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

Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?