Job 6

1. And Job answered and said,

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

3. For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash.

4. For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, my spirit is drinking up their poison. The terrors of God do set themselves against me.

5. Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?

6. Can that which has no taste be eaten without salt? Or is there taste in the white of an egg?

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

8. Oh, that I might have my desire, and that God would grant the thing that I long for!

9. Even that it would please God to destroy me; that He would loose His hand and cut me off!

10. Then I would yet have my comfort; yea, I would rejoice in pain, though He did not spare me; for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11. What is my strength, that I should hope? And what is my end, that I should prolong my life?

12. Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh bronze?

13. Is there no help within me? And is wisdom fully driven away from me?

14. To him who is afflicted, pity is due from his friend, lest he forsake the fear of the Almighty.

15. My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook; they pass away as the streams of torrents,

16. Which are black from ice, in which the snow hides itself.

17. When they become waterless, they fall silent; when it is hot, they vanish from their place.

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

19. The troops of Tema looked; the companies of Sheba hoped for them.

20. They were ashamed because they had hoped; they came there and were ashamed.

21. Surely now you are like them; you see my casting down, and are afraid.

22. Did I say, ‘Give to me?’ or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth;’

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; and cause me to understand where I have gone astray.

25. Right words are powerful, but what does your arguing prove?

26. Do you intend to criticize words, and the speeches of one who is hopeless, that are as wind?

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

28. And now, please look upon me; for if I lie, it is evident to you.

29. Relent, I pray you, let there be no iniquity; yea, acknowledge, my righteousness yet stands.

30. Is there iniquity in my tongue? Cannot my taste discern perverse things?”