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Job 6

¹Then Job answered:

²"O that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!

³For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash.

⁴For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

⁵Does the wild ass bray when he has grass, or the ox low over his fodder?

⁶Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any taste in the slime of the purslane?

⁷My appetite refuses to touch them; they are as food that is loathsome to me.

⁸"O that I might have my request, and that God would grant my desire;

⁹that it would please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!

¹⁰This would be my consolation; I would even exult in pain unsparing; for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

¹¹What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient?

¹²Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?

¹³In truth I have no help in me, and any resource is driven from me.

¹⁴"He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

¹⁵My brethren are treacherous as a torrent-bed, as freshets that pass away,

¹⁶which are dark with ice, and where the snow hides itself.

¹⁷In time of heat they disappear; when it is hot, they vanish from their place.

¹⁸The caravans turn aside from their course; they go up into the waste, and perish.

¹⁹The caravans of Tema look, the travelers of Sheba hope.

²⁰They are disappointed because they were confident; they come thither and are confounded.

²¹Such you have now become to me; you see my calamity, and are afraid.

²²Have I said, `Make me a gift'? Or, `From your wealth offer a bribe for me'?

²³Or, `y's hand'? Or, `ppressors'?

²⁴"Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have erred.

²⁵How forceful are honest words! But what does reproof from you reprove?

²⁶Do you think that you can reprove words, when the speech of a despairing man is wind?

²⁷You would even cast lots over the fatherless, and bargain over your friend.

²⁸"But now, be pleased to look at me; for I will not lie to your face.

²⁹Turn, I pray, let no wrong be done. Turn now, my vindication is at stake.

³⁰Is there any wrong on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern calamity?

Job 6 (RSV)

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Job

Chapter 6

6 of 42