Job 6

¹ Job sheweth that his complaints are not causeless. ⁸ He wisheth for death, wherein he is assured of comfort. ¹⁴ He reproveth his friends for their unkindness.

1 But Job answered and said, 2 O that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together! ^{▼▼laid: Heb. lifted up} 3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up. ^{▼▼my words...: that is, I want words to express my grief} 4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison of which drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God set themselves in array against me. 5 Doth the wild donkey bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder? ^{▼▼when he...: Heb. at grass?} 6 Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg? 7 The things that my soul refused to touch are as my loathsome food.

8 O that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! ^{▼▼the thing...: Heb. my expectation} 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 harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed 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 of brass? ^{▼▼of brass: Heb. brasen?} 13 Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?

14 To him that is afflicted pity should be shown from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. ^{▼▼is afflicted: Heb. melteth} 15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away; 16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and in which the snow is hid: 17 In the time when they become warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. ^{▼▼vanish: Heb. are cut off
,} ^{▼▼when...: Heb. in the heat thereof
,} ^{▼▼consumed: Heb. extinguished} 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 waited for them. 20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came there, and were ashamed. 21 For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid. ^{▼▼ye are...: or, ye are like to them: Heb. to it
,} ^{▼▼nothing: Heb. not}

22 Did I say, Bring to me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance? 23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty? 24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand how I have erred. 25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove? 26 Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind? 27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend. ^{▼▼ye overwhelm: Heb. ye cause to fall upon} 28 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident to you if I lie. ^{▼▼evident...: Heb. before your face} 29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it. ^{▼▼in it: that is, in this matter} 30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things? ^{▼▼my taste: Heb. my palate}