Chapter 6

  Then Job answered and said,  

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  Oh that my vexation were but weighed, And all my calamity laid in the balances!  

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

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  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.  

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  Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? Or loweth the ox over his fodder?  

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  Can that which hath no savor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?  

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  My soul refuseth to touch [them]; They are as loathsome food to me.  

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  Oh that I might have my request; And that God would grant [me] the thing that I long for!  

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  Even that it would please God to crush me; That he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!  

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  And be it still my consolation, Yea, let me exult in pain that spareth not, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.  

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  What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is mine end, that I should be patient?  

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  Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?  

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  Is it not that I have no help in me, And that wisdom is driven quite from me?  

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  To him that is ready to faint kindness [should be showed] from his friend; Even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.  

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  My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, As the channel of brooks that pass away;  

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  Which are black by reason of the ice, [And] wherein the snow hideth itself:  

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  What time they wax warm, they vanish; When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.  

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  The caravans [that travel] by the way of them turn aside; They go up into the waste, and perish.  

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

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  They were put to shame because they had hoped; They came thither, and were confounded.  

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  For now ye are nothing; Ye see a terror, and are afraid.  

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  Did I say, Give unto me? Or, Offer a present for me of your substance?  

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  Or, Deliver me from the adversary's hand? Or, Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?  

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

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  How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what doth it reprove?  

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  Do ye think to reprove words, Seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind?  

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  Yea, ye would cast [lots] upon the fatherless, And make merchandise of your friend.  

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  Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; For surely I shall not lie to your face.  

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  Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; Yea, return again, my cause is righteous.  

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  Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern mischievous things?  

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