Job 6

¹ Then Job answered and said,

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

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

⁴ For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof my spirit drinketh up: the terrors of God 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 white of an egg?

⁷ My soul refuseth to touch them; they are as loathsome meat to me.

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

⁹ Even that it would please God 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 that spareth 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, at I should be patient?

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

¹³ Is it not that I have no help in me, and that effectual working is driven quite from me?

¹⁴ To him that is ready to faint kindness should be shewed 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 pass away;

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 caravans that travel by the way of them turn aside; they go up into the waste, and perish.

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 nothing; 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 reprove?

²⁶ Do ye imagine to reprove words? seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind.

²⁷ Yea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless, and make merchandise of 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 mischievous things?