Job
Chapter 6
1 Then Job answered and said:
2 Oh that my vexation were but weighed, and my calamity laid
in the balances altogether!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas;
therefore are my words broken.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison
whereof my spirit drinketh up; the terrors of G-d do set themselves in array
against me.
5 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox
over his fodder?
6 Can that which hath no savour be eaten without salt? or is
there any taste in the juice of mallows?
7 My soul refuseth to touch them; they are as the sickness of
my flesh.
8 Oh that I might have my request, and that G-d would grant
me the thing that I long for!
9 Even that it would please G-d to crush 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, though He spare not; for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
11 What is my strength, that I should wait? and what is mine
end, that I should be patient?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of
brass?
13 Is it that I have no help in me, and that sound wisdom is
driven quite from me?
14 To him that is ready to faint kindness is due from his
friend, even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the
channel of brooks that overflow,
16 Which are black by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow
hideth itself;
17 What time they wax warm, they vanish, when it is hot, they
are consumed out of their place.
18 The paths of their way do wind, they go up into the waste,
and are lost.
19 The caravans of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited
for them--
20 They were ashamed because they had hoped; they came
thither, and were confounded.
21 For now ye are become His; ye see a terror, and are
afraid.
22 Did I say: 'Give unto me'? or: 'Offer a present for me of
your substance'?
23 or: 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand'? or: 'Redeem me
from the hand of the oppressors'?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my peace; and cause me to
understand wherein I have erred.
25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But what doth your
arguing argue?
26 Do ye hold words to be an argument, but the speeches of
one that is desperate to be wind?
27 Yea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless, and dig a pit
for your friend.
28 Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; for surely I
shall not lie to your face.
29 Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; yea, return
again, my cause is righteous.
30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern
crafty devices?
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