JPS - Job - 6

6:1  Then Job answered and said:

6:2  Oh that my vexation were but weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances altogether!

6:3  For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore are my words broken.

6:4  For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof my spirit drinketh up; the terrors of G-d do set themselves in array against me.

6:5  Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?

6:6  Can that which hath no savour be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the juice of mallows?

6:7  My soul refuseth to touch them; they are as the sickness of my flesh.

6:8  Oh that I might have my request, and that G-d would grant me the thing that I long for!

6:9  Even that it would please G-d to crush me; that He would let loose His hand, and cut me off!

6:10  Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would exult in pain, though He spare not; for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

6:11  What is my strength, that I should wait? and what is mine end, that I should be patient?

6:12  Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?

6:13  Is it that I have no help in me, and that sound wisdom is driven quite from me?

6:14  To him that is ready to faint kindness is due from his friend, even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

6:15  My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that overflow,

6:16  Which are black by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow hideth itself;

6:17  What time they wax warm, they vanish, when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

6:18  The paths of their way do wind, they go up into the waste, and are lost.

6:19  The caravans of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them--

6:20  They were ashamed because they had hoped; they came thither, and were confounded.

6:21  For now ye are become His; ye see a terror, and are afraid.

6:22  Did I say: 'Give unto me'? or: 'Offer a present for me of your substance'?

6:23  or: 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand'? or: 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors'?

6:24  Teach me, and I will hold my peace; and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

6:25  How forcible are words of uprightness! But what doth your arguing argue?

6:26  Do ye hold words to be an argument, but the speeches of one that is desperate to be wind?

6:27  Yea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless, and dig a pit for your friend.

6:28  Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; for surely I shall not lie to your face.

6:29  Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; yea, return again, my cause is righteous.

6:30  Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern crafty devices?