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Job 6
Job Replies: My Complaint is Just
1 Then Job answered and said:2 “Oh that my vexation were weighed,
and all my calamity laid in the balances! 3 For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea;
therefore my words have been rash. 4 For the arrows of the Almighty are in me;
my spirit drinks their poison;
the terrors of God are arrayed against me. 5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass,
or the ox low over his fodder? 6 Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt,
or is there any taste in the juice of the mallow? 7 My appetite refuses to touch them;
they are as food that is loathsome to me.
8 “Oh that I might have my request,
and that God would fulfill my hope, 9 that it would please God to crush me,
that he would let loose his hand and cut me off! 10 This would be my comfort;
I would even exult in pain unsparing,
for I have not denied the words of the Holy One. 11 What is my strength, that I should wait?
And what is my end, that I should be patient? 12 Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze? 13 Have I any help in me,
when resource is driven from me?
14 “He who withholds kindness from a friend
forsakes the fear of the Almighty. 15 My brothers are treacherous as a torrent-bed,
as torrential streams that pass away, 16 which are dark with ice,
and where the snow hides itself. 17 When they melt, they disappear;
when it is hot, they vanish from their place. 18 The caravans turn aside from their course;
they go up into the waste and perish. 19 The caravans of Tema look,
the travelers of Sheba hope. 20 They are ashamed because they were confident;
they come there and are disappointed. 21 For you have now become nothing;
you see my calamity and are afraid. 22 Have I said, ‘Make me a gift’?
Or, ‘From your wealth offer a bribe for me’? 23 Or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary's hand’?
Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the ruthless’?
24 “Teach me, and I will be silent;
make me understand how I have gone astray. 25 How forceful are upright words!
But what does reproof from you reprove? 26 Do you think that you can reprove words,
when the speech of a despairing man is wind? 27 You 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. 29 Please turn; let no injustice be done.
Turn now; my vindication is at stake. 30 Is there any injustice on my tongue?
Cannot my palate discern the cause of calamity?
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