Job 6
1But Job, responding, said:
2I wish that my sins, for which I deserve wrath, and the calamity that I endure, were weighed out on a balance.
3Compared to the sand of the sea, they would appear heavier, and so my words are full of sorrow.
4For the arrows of the Lord are in me, my spirit drinks of their indignation, and the terrors of the Lord are soldiers against me.
5Will the wild ass bray when he has grass? Or will the ox bellow when he stands before a full manger?
6Or can one eat bland food, which is not seasoned with salt? Or can anyone taste that which, if tasted, causes death?
7The things that my soul was unwilling to touch before, now, because of anguish, are my foods.
8Who will grant that my petition may arrive and that God may bestow on me what I expect,
9and that he who, at first, had crushed me, will let loose his hand and cut me down?
10And 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.
11For what is my strength, that I may continue? Or what is my goal, so that I may act patiently?
12My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh made of bronze.
13Behold, there is no help for me in myself, and my loved ones also have withdrawn from me.
14He who takes away mercy from his friend, abandons the fear of the Lord.
15My brethren have disregarded me, like a torrent that passes swiftly through the steep valleys.
16Those who fear frost, snow will rush over them.
17At that time, when they are scattered, they will perish, and when it becomes hot, they will be freed from their place.
18The paths of their steps are entangled; they will walk in vain and will perish.
19Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.
20They have been thrown into confusion, just as I had hoped; they have even come to me and are overwhelmed with shame.
21Now you have arrived, and merely by seeing my affliction, you are afraid.
22Did I say: “Bring to me and give to me from your necessities?”
23or, “Free me from the hand of the enemy and rescue me from the hand of the strong?”
24Teach me, and I will be silent, and if by chance I have been ignorant of anything, instruct me.
25Why have you diminished the words of truth, when there is none of you who is able to offer proof against me?
26You prepare speeches as so much noise, and you offer words into the wind.
27You encroach upon the orphan, and you strive to undermine your friend.
28Such is true, so finish what you have begun. Listen closely, and see if I lie.
29Respond, I beg you, without contention, and, speaking what is just, pass judgment.
30And you will not find iniquity on my tongue, nor will foolishness resound in my throat.
1But Job answered and said,
2Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
3For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
4For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.
5Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
6Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
8Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
9Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
11What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
12Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
13Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
14To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
15My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
16Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
17What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
19The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
20They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
21For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.
22Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
23Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
24Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
26Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
27Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
28Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
29Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
30Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?