Add parallel Print Page Options

But Job answered, and said:

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Job

Then Job replied:

“If only my anguish could be weighed
    and all my misery be placed on the scales!(A)
It would surely outweigh the sand(B) of the seas—
    no wonder my words have been impetuous.(C)
The arrows(D) of the Almighty(E) are in me,(F)
    my spirit drinks(G) in their poison;(H)
    God’s terrors(I) are marshaled against me.(J)
Does a wild donkey(K) bray(L) when it has grass,
    or an ox bellow when it has fodder?(M)
Is tasteless food eaten without salt,
    or is there flavor in the sap of the mallow[a]?(N)
I refuse to touch it;
    such food makes me ill.(O)

“Oh, that I might have my request,
    that God would grant what I hope for,(P)
that God would be willing to crush(Q) me,
    to let loose his hand and cut off my life!(R)
10 Then I would still have this consolation(S)
    my joy in unrelenting pain(T)
    that I had not denied the words(U) of the Holy One.(V)

11 “What strength do I have, that I should still hope?
    What prospects, that I should be patient?(W)
12 Do I have the strength of stone?
    Is my flesh bronze?(X)
13 Do I have any power to help myself,(Y)
    now that success has been driven from me?

14 “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend(Z)
    forsakes the fear of the Almighty.(AA)
15 But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams,(AB)
    as the streams that overflow
16 when darkened by thawing ice
    and swollen with melting snow,(AC)
17 but that stop flowing in the dry season,
    and in the heat(AD) vanish from their channels.
18 Caravans turn aside from their routes;
    they go off into the wasteland and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema(AE) look for water,
    the traveling merchants of Sheba(AF) look in hope.
20 They are distressed, because they had been confident;
    they arrive there, only to be disappointed.(AG)
21 Now you too have proved to be of no help;
    you see something dreadful and are afraid.(AH)
22 Have I ever said, ‘Give something on my behalf,
    pay a ransom(AI) for me from your wealth,(AJ)
23 deliver me from the hand of the enemy,
    rescue me from the clutches of the ruthless’?(AK)

24 “Teach me, and I will be quiet;(AL)
    show me where I have been wrong.(AM)
25 How painful are honest words!(AN)
    But what do your arguments prove?
26 Do you mean to correct what I say,
    and treat my desperate words as wind?(AO)
27 You would even cast lots(AP) for the fatherless(AQ)
    and barter away your friend.

28 “But now be so kind as to look at me.
    Would I lie to your face?(AR)
29 Relent, do not be unjust;(AS)
    reconsider, for my integrity(AT) is at stake.[b](AU)
30 Is there any wickedness on my lips?(AV)
    Can my mouth not discern(AW) malice?

Footnotes

  1. Job 6:6 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
  2. Job 6:29 Or my righteousness still stands