Job 6

¹ But Job answered and said,

² “O that my grief were thoroughly 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 are swallowed up.

⁴ For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

⁵ Does the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?

⁶ Can that which is unsavory 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 food to me.

⁸ O 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 destroy 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 unsparing; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

¹¹ What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?

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

¹³ Is my help not within me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?

¹⁴ To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

¹⁵ My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the streams of brooks that pass away;

¹⁶ Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:

¹⁷ When they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

¹⁸ The caravans of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

¹⁹ They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.

²⁰ So are ye now to me: ye see my calamity, and are afraid.

²¹ Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

²² Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?

²³ Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

²⁴ How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

²⁵ Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?

²⁶ Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.

²⁷ Now therefore be content, look upon me; be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.

²⁸ Even so do I speak; I also will not reply to your words: I also will declare to you my opinion.