The Book of Job

⭑ Catholic Public Domain :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 6 -

Job: My complaint is just

But Job, responding, said:

I wish that my sins, for which I deserve wrath, and the calamity that I endure, were weighed out on a balance.(a)

Compared to the sand of the sea, they would appear heavier, and so my words are full of sorrow.

For the arrows of the Lord are in me, my spirit drinks of their indignation, and the terrors of the Lord are soldiers against me.

Will the wild ass bray when he has grass? Or will the ox bellow when he stands before a full manger?(b)

Or can one eat bland food, which is not seasoned with salt? Or can anyone taste that which, if tasted, causes death?

The things that my soul was unwilling to touch before, now, because of anguish, are my foods.

Who will grant that my petition may arrive and that God may bestow on me what I expect,

and that he who, at first, had crushed me, will let loose his hand and cut me down?

And may this be my consolation, that in afflicting me with sorrow, although he might not be lenient with me, I still do not contradict the words of the Holy One.

For what is my strength, that I may continue? Or what is my goal, so that I may act patiently?

My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh made of bronze.

Behold, there is no help for me in myself, and my loved ones also have withdrawn from me.

He who takes away mercy from his friend, abandons the fear of the Lord.

My brethren have disregarded me, like a torrent that passes swiftly through the steep valleys.

Those who fear frost, snow will rush over them.

At that time, when they are scattered, they will perish, and when it becomes hot, they will be freed from their place.

The paths of their steps are entangled; they will walk in vain and will perish.

Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.

They have been thrown into confusion, just as I had hoped; they have even come to me and are overwhelmed with shame.

Now you have arrived, and merely by seeing my affliction, you are afraid.

Did I say: “Bring to me and give to me from your necessities?”

or, “Free me from the hand of the enemy and rescue me from the hand of the strong?”

Teach me, and I will be silent, and if by chance I have been ignorant of anything, instruct me.

Why have you diminished the words of truth, when there is none of you who is able to offer proof against me?

You prepare speeches as so much noise, and you offer words into the wind.

You encroach upon the orphan, and you strive to undermine your friend.

Such is true, so finish what you have begun. Listen closely, and see if I lie.

Respond, I beg you, without contention, and, speaking what is just, pass judgment.

And you will not find iniquity on my tongue, nor will foolishness resound in my throat.

Footnotes

(a)6:2 My sins, etc:He does not mean to compare his sufferings with his real sins: but with the imaginary crimes which his friends imputed to him: and especially with his wrath, or grief, expressed in the third chapter, which they so much accused. Though, as he tells them here, it bore no proportion with the greatness of his calamity.(Challoner)

(b)6:5 Numquid introduces a questions whose answer is expected to be “no.”(Conte)

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?