6
Job

Job's Protest and Despair (part 1)

Job 6:1-7:14
1Then Job answered and said, 2If my vexation were truly weighed, and my calamity placed together with it in the balances, 3for now it would outweigh the sand of the seas; therefore my words have been reckless. 4For the arrows of the Almighty are with me; their rage drinks up my spirit; the terrors of God set me in array. 5Does the wild donkey bray over grass, or does the ox low over its fodder? 6Can tasteless food be eaten without salt, or is there any taste in the white of an egg? 7My soul refuses to touch such things; they are like loathsome food to me. 8Oh, that my request might be granted, and that God would give me what I hope for! 9May it please God to crush me; may he let loose his hand and cut me off. 10This would still be my consolation, and I would exult in pain without sparing, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One. 11What strength do I have, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient? 12Is my strength that of stones, or is my flesh bronze? 13Is there no help for me within myself, and has all resource been driven from me? 14A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. 15My brothers have dealt treacherously, like a torrent, like the channels of torrents that pass away. 16They are darkened by ice; snow hides itself upon them. 17When it is warm they vanish; when heat comes they are consumed from their place. 18The paths of their way turn aside; they go up into the waste and perish. 19The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba wait for it. 20They are disappointed because they trusted; they arrive and are put to shame. 21For now you have become nothing to him; you see terror and are afraid. 22Have I said, Give me something, or, Pay a ransom for me from your wealth? 23Deliver me from the hand of my enemy, and ransom me from the hand of the ruthless. 24Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray. 25How forceful are upright words, yet what rebuke comes from you? 26Do you intend to rebuke with mere words, words that are but wind? 27You would even cast lots over an orphan and bargain over your friend. 28Now therefore be pleased to turn to me; see whether I would lie to your face. 29Turn back, I pray; let no wrong be done; turn back again; my righteousness is still in it. 30Is there any wrong on my tongue? Cannot my palate discern what is ruinous?
Chapter 7
1Does not man have hard service on earth, and are not his days like those of a hired worker? 2Like a slave he longs for the shade, and like a hired man he waits for his wages. 3So I have been allotted months of emptiness, and nights of misery have been assigned to me. 4When I lie down I say, When shall I arise? And the night drags on, and I am full of tossing until dawn. 5My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin hardens and then breaks out afresh. 6My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle and come to their end without hope. 7Remember that my life is a breath; my eye will never again see good. 8The eye that sees me will see me no more; your eyes will be on me, but I shall not be. 9As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so he who goes down to Sheol does not come up. 10He will not return again to his house, nor will his place know him anymore. 11Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. 12Am I the sea, or a sea monster, that you set a guard over me? 13When I say, My bed will comfort me, my couch will ease my complaint, 14then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions.
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