The Book of Job

⭑ Geneva Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 6 -

Job: My complaint is just

Bvt Iob answered, and said,

Oh that my griefe were well weighed, and my miseries were layed together in the balance.

For it woulde be nowe heauier then the sande of the sea: therefore my wordes are swallowed vp.

For the arrowes of the Almightie are in me, the venime whereof doeth drinke vp my spirit, and the terrours of God fight against me.

Doeth the wilde asse bray when he hath grasse? or loweth the oxe when he hath fodder?

That which is vnsauerie, shall it be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egge?

Such things as my soule refused to touch, as were sorowes, are my meate.

Oh that I might haue my desire, and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

That is, that God would destroy me: that he would let his hand go, and cut me off.

Then should I yet haue comfort, (though I burne with sorowe, let him not spare) because I haue not denyed the wordes of the Holy one.

What power haue I that I should endure? or what is mine end, if I should prolong my life?

Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brasse?

Is it not so, that there is in me no helpe? and that strength is taken from me?

He that is in miserie, ought to be comforted of his neighbour: but men haue forsaken the feare of the Almightie.

My brethre haue deceiued me as a brook, and as the rising of the riuers they passe away.

Which are blackish with yee, and wherein the snowe is hid.

But in time they are dryed vp with heate and are consumed: and when it is hote they faile out of their places,

Or they depart from their way and course, yea, they vanish and perish.

They that go to Tema, considered them, and they that goe to Sheba, waited for them.

But they were confounded: when they hoped, they came thither and were ashamed.

Surely nowe are ye like vnto it: ye haue seene my fearefull plague, and are afraide.

Was it because I said, Bring vnto me? or giue a rewarde to me of your substance?

And deliuer me from the enemies hande, or ransome me out of the hand of tyrants?

Teach me, and I wil hold my tongue: and cause me to vnderstande, wherein I haue erred.

Howe stedfast are the wordes of righteousnes? and what can any of you iustly reproue?

Doe ye imagine to reproue wordes, that the talke of the afflicted should be as the winde?

Ye make your wrath to fall vpon the fatherlesse, and dig a pit for your friende.

Nowe therefore be content to looke vpon me: for I will not lie before your face.

Turne, I pray you, let there be none iniquitie: returne, I say, and ye shall see yet my righteousnesse in that behalfe. Is there iniquitie in my tongue? doeth not my mouth feele sorowes?

Job: My complaint is just

Then Job answered,

“Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!

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

For the arrows of the Almighty are within me. My spirit drinks up their poison. The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.

Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?

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

My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.

“Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,

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

Let it still be my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn’t spare, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

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

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

Isn’t it that I have no help in me, that wisdom is driven away from me?

“To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

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

which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.

In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

The caravans that travel beside them turn away. They go up into the waste, and perish.

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

They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.

For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.

Did I ever say, ‘Give to me’? or, ‘Offer a present for me from your substance’?

or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’? or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors’?

“Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand my error.

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

Do you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?

Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.

Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I will not lie to your face.

Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.

Is there injustice on my tongue? Can’t my taste discern mischievous things?