(KJV) Job 6¹

⥃Job Replies: My Complaint Is Just

[1] But Job answered² and said, [2] Oh that my grief were thoroughly³ weighed, and my calamity laid⁴ in the balances together! [3] For now it would be heavier⁵ than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up⁶. [4] For the arrows⁷ of the Almighty [are] within me, the poison whereof drinketh up⁸ my spirit: the terrors⁹ of God do set themselves in array against me. [5] Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass¹⁰? or loweth¹¹ the ox over his fodder? [6] Can that which¹² is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there [any] taste¹³ in the white of an egg? [7] The things [that] my soul refused to touch [are] as my sorrowful meat¹⁴. [8] Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant [me] the thing that I long for¹⁵! [9] Even that it would¹⁶ please God to destroy me; that he would¹⁷ let loose his hand, and cut me off! [10] Then¹⁸ should I yet have comfort; yea, I would¹⁹ harden myself in sorrow: let him not²⁰ spare; for I have not concealed²¹ the words of the Holy One²². [11] What²³ [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 brass²⁴? [13] [Is] not my²⁵ help in me? and is wisdom²⁶ driven quite from me? [14] To him²⁷ that is afflicted²⁸ pity [should be shewed] from his friend; but he forsaketh²⁹ the fear of the Almighty. [15] My brethren³⁰ have dealt deceitfully as a brook, [and] as the stream³¹ 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 vanish³²: when it is hot, they are consumed³³ out of their place. [18] The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish. [19] The troops of Tema³⁴ looked, the companies of Sheba³⁵ waited for them. [20] They were confounded³⁶ because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed. [21] For now ye are nothing³⁷³⁸; ye see³⁹ [my] casting down, and are afraid. [22] Did I say, Bring unto me⁴⁰? or, Give a reward for me of your substance? [23] Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem⁴¹ me from the hand of the mighty? [24] Teach me⁴², and I will⁴³ hold my tongue: and cause me⁴⁴ to understand wherein I have erred. [25] How forcible⁴⁵ are right words! but what doth⁴⁶ your arguing reprove? [26] Do ye imagine to reprove⁴⁷ words, and the speeches of one that⁴⁸ is desperate, [which are] as wind⁴⁹? [27] Yea, ye overwhelm⁵⁰ the fatherless⁵¹, and ye dig⁵² [a pit] for your friend. [28] Now therefore be content, look upon me; for [it is] evident unto you⁵³ if I lie⁵⁴. [29] Return⁵⁵, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness⁵⁶ [is] in it⁵⁷. [30] Is there iniquity⁵⁸ in my tongue? cannot⁵⁹ my taste⁶⁰ discern perverse things?