Job 6
1 Then responded Job, and said: —
But Job, responding, said:
2 Oh that, weighed, were my vexation, and, my engulfing ruin—into the balances, they would lift up all at once!
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, beyond the sand of the seas, would it be heavy, On this account, my words, have wandered.
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 in me, The heat whereof, my spirit is drinking up, The, terrors of GOD, array themselves 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 over 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 white of an egg?
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 hath refused to touch, Those things, are like disease in my food.
The things that my soul was unwilling to touch before, now, because of anguish, are my foods.
8 Oh that my request would come! and, my hope, oh that GOD would grant!
Who will grant that my petition may arrive and that God may bestow on me what I expect,
9 That it would please GOD to crush me, That he would set free 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 So might it still be my comfort, And I might exult in the anguish he would not spare, —That I had not concealed the sayings 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 hope? Or what mine end, that I should prolong my desire?
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 bronze?
My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh made of bronze.
13 Is there any help at all in me? Is not, abiding success, driven from me?
Behold, there is no help for me in myself, and my loved ones also have withdrawn from me.
14 The despairing, from his friend, should have lovingkindness, or, the reverence of the Almighty, he may forsake.
He who takes away mercy from his friend, abandons the fear of the Lord.
15 Mine own brethren, have proved treacherous like a torrent, like a channel of torrents which disappear:
My brethren have disregarded me, like a torrent that passes swiftly through the steep valleys.
16 Which darken by reason of the cold, over them, is a covering made by the snow:
Those who fear frost, snow will rush over them.
17 By the time they begin to thaw, they are dried up, as soon as it is warm, they have vanished 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 Caravans turn aside by their course, they go up into a 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 about, the travelling companies of Sheba, hoped for them:
Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.
20 They are ashamed that they had trusted, They have come up to one of them, and are 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 have come to him, ye see something fearful, and fear.
Now you have arrived, and merely by seeing my affliction, you are afraid.
22 Is it that I said, Make me a gift, or, out of your abundance, offer a bribe on my behalf;
Did I say: “Bring to me and give to me from your necessities?”
23 And deliver me from the hand of the adversary? And, out of the hand of tyrants, ransom me?
or, “Free me from the hand of the enemy and rescue me from the hand of the strong?”
24 Show me, and, I, will hold my peace, And, wherein I have erred, cause me to understand.
Teach me, and I will be silent, and if by chance I have been ignorant of anything, instruct me.
25 How pleasant are the sayings that are right! But what can a decision from you, decide?
Why have you diminished the words of truth, when there is none of you who is able to offer proof against me?
26 To decide words, do ye intend, When, to the wind, are spoken the sayings of one in despair?
You prepare speeches as so much noise, and you offer words into the wind.
27 Surely, the fatherless, ye would assail, and make merchandise of your friend!
You encroach upon the orphan, and you strive to undermine your friend.
28 But, now, be pleased to turn to me, that it may be, to your faces, if I speak falsehood,
Such is true, so finish what you have begun. Listen closely, and see if I lie.
29 Reply, I pray you, let there be no perversity, Yea reply even yet, my vindication is in it!
Respond, I beg you, without contention, and, speaking what is just, pass judgment.
30 Is there, in my tongue, perversity? Or can, my sense, not discern, engulfing ruin?
And you will not find iniquity on my tongue, nor will foolishness resound in my throat.
