Job 6

1 And Job made answer and said,

But Job answered, and said:

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

O that my sins, whereby I have deserved wrath, and the calamity that I suffer, were weighed in a balance.

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

As the sand of the sea this would appear heavier: therefore my words are full of sorrow:

4 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.

For the arrows of the Lord are in me, the rage whereof drinketh up my spirit, and the terrors of the Lord war against me.

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

Will the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or will the ox low when he standeth before a full manger?

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

Or can an unsavoury thing be eaten, that is not seasoned with salt? or can a man taste that which when tasted bringeth death?

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

The things which before my soul would not touch, now, through anguish are my meats.

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

Who will grant that my request may come: and that God may give me what I look for?

9 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!

And that he that hath begun may destroy me, that he may let loose his hand, and cut me off?

10 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.

And that this may be my comfort, that afflicting me with sorrow, he spare not, nor I contradict the words of the Holy One.

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

For what is my strength, that I can hold out? or what is my end that I should keep patience?

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

My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh of brass.

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

Behold there is no help for me in myself, and my familiar friends also are departed from me.

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

He that taketh away mercy from his friend, forsaketh the fear of the Lord.

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

My brethren have passed by me, as the torrent that passeth swiftly in the valleys.

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

They that fear the hoary frost, the snow shall fall upon them.

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

At the time when they shall be scattered they shall perish: and after it groweth hot they shall be melted out of their place.

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

The paths of their steps are entangled: they shall walk in vain, and shall perish.

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

Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.

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

They are confounded, because I have hoped: they are come also even unto me, and are covered with shame.

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

Now you are come: and now seeing my affliction you are afraid.

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

Did I say: Bring to me, and give me of your substance?

23 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?

Or deliver me from the hand of the enemy, and rescue me out of the hand of the mighty?

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

Teach me, and I will hold my peace: and if I have been ignorant in any thing, instruct me.

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

Why have you detracted the words of truth, whereas there is none of you that can reprove me?

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

You dress up speeches only to rebuke, and you utter words to the wind.

27 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.

You rush in upon the fatherless, and you endeavour to overthrow your friend.

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

However finish what you have begun, give ear, and see whether I lie.

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

Answer, I beseech you, without contention: and speaking that which is just, judge ye.

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

And you shall not And iniquity in my tongue, neither shall folly sound in my mouth.