Job

The book of Job, chapter 6, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 6 New English Translation

Job Replies to Eliphaz

   1 Then Job responded:
   2 "Oh, if only my grief could be weighed, and my misfortune laid on the scales too!
   3 But because it is heavier than the sand of the sea, that is why my words have been wild.
   4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; my spirit drinks their poison; God's sudden terrors are arrayed against me.

Complaints Reflect Suffering

   5 "Does the wild donkey bray when it is near grass? Or does the ox low near its fodder?
   6 Can food that is tasteless be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
   7 I have refused to touch such things; they are like loathsome food to me.

A Cry for Death

   8 "Oh that my request would be realized, and that God would grant me what I long for!
   9 And that God would be willing to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and kill me.
   10 Then I would yet have my comfort, then I would rejoice, in spite of pitiless pain, for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
   11 What is my strength, that I should wait? and what is my end, that I should prolong my life?
   12 Is my strength like that of stones? or is my flesh made of bronze?
   13 Is not my power to help myself nothing, and has not every resource been driven from me?

Disappointing Friends

   14 "To the one in despair, kindness should come from his friend even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
   15 My brothers have been as treacherous as a seasonal stream, and as the riverbeds of the intermittent streams that flow away.
   16 They are dark because of ice; snow is piled up over them.
   17 When they are scorched, they dry up, when it is hot, they vanish from their place.
   18 Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish.
   19 The caravans of Tema looked intently for these streams; the traveling merchants of Sheba hoped for them.
   20 They were distressed, because each one had been so confident; they arrived there, but were disappointed.
   21 For now you have become like these streams that are no help; you see a terror, and are afraid.

Friends' Fears

   22 "Have I ever said, 'Give me something, and from your fortune make gifts in my favor'?
   23 Or 'Deliver me from the enemy's power, and from the hand of tyrants ransom me'?

No Sin Discovered

   24 "Teach me and I, for my part, will be silent; explain to me how I have been mistaken.
   25 How painful are honest words! But what does your reproof prove?
   26 Do you intend to criticize mere words, and treat the words of a despairing man as wind?
   27 Yes, you would gamble for the fatherless, and auction off your friend.

Other Explanation

   28 "Now then, be good enough to look at me; and I will not lie to your face!
   29 Relent, let there be no falsehood; reconsider, for my righteousness is intact!
   30 Is there any falsehood on my lips? Can my mouth not discern evil things?

King James Version

   1 But Job answered and said,
   2 Oh that my grief were throughly 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 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
   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 sorrowful meat.
   8 Oh 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 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 mine end, that I should prolong my life?
   12 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
   13 Is not my help in 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 stream of brooks they pass away;
   16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
   17 What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
   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 thither, and were ashamed.
   21 For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.
   22 Did I say, Bring unto 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 wherein 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.
   28 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
   29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
   30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?