Job 6

1 Then Job replied:

1 But Job answered and said,

2 “If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales.

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

3 For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas—no wonder my words have been rash.

3 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 have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

4 For 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.

5 Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder?

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

6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg?

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

7 My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me.

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

8 If only my request were granted and God would fulfill my hope:

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

9 that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off!

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

10 It still brings me comfort, and joy through unrelenting pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

10 Then 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.

11 What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

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

12 Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?

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

13 Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me?

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

14 A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

14 To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

15 But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow,

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

16 darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow,

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

17 but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat.

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

18 Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish.

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

19 The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it.

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

20 They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment.

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

21 For now you are of no help; you see terror, and you are afraid.

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

22 Have I ever said, ‘Give me something; offer me a bribe from your wealth;

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

23 deliver me from the hand of the enemy; redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’?

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

24 Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred.

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

25 How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?

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

26 Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair?

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

27 You would even cast lots for an orphan and barter away your friend.

27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.

28 But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face?

28 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.

29 Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.

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

30 Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice?

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