Job 6

Thomson^{(i) 1} To this, Job in reply said, ² that some person would weigh my passion: and poise in a balance against it, my calamities. ³ But these would outweigh the sand of the sea, though you seem to think my words too vehement: ⁴ for the arrows of the Lord are in my body, the fury of which drinketh up my blood: when I attempt to speak they pierce me. ⁵ What! will a wild ass bray without cause? Will it do so, except when in search of food? Or will an ox low having fodder in his stall? ⁶ Can bread be eaten without salt, or is there any relish in vain words? ⁷ For my temper cannot be calm, while my meat is horrible as the smell of a lion. ⁸ O that he would grant! that my request might be complied with! that the Lord would grant me what I long for! ⁹ Let the Lord, having begun, wound me, but not utterly destroy me. ¹⁰ Let but the grave be my city, having got on its walls I will not be slack to enter, for I have not disputed the holy commands of my God. ¹¹ For what is my strength that I should bear up! what my time2 that my life is prolonged? ¹² Is my strength the strength of stones, or is this flesh of mine made of brass? ¹³ Or have I not confided in him? But help is far from me. ¹⁴ Mercy hath bidden me adieu. When the superintending care of the Lord overlooked me, ¹⁵ my nearest friends did not regard me: like a failing brook, or like a wave of the sea, they passed me by. ¹⁶ They who had assiduously paid me court, now made me a slight visit, like snow or hoar frost, ¹⁷ which melting at the approach of heat, the place where it was is not known. ¹⁸ Thus was I forsaken by all, and being undone, I became an outcast. ¹⁹ Take a view of the ways of the Thaimanites, ye who mark out the Sabean tracks! ²⁰ and they who trust in cities and wealth must blush. But now when you have come to me, it is without compassion; ²¹ just to see my wound and be terrified. But why? ²² Have I asked anything of you, or do I crave any help from you? ²³ to save me from mine enemies; or deliver me out of the hand of the mighty? ²⁴ Teach me and I will hold my tongue. If I have erred, tell me plainly. ²⁵ But my words, it seems, are devoid of truth, because I do not beg assistance from you. ²⁶ Your reproof can neither stop my speaking, nor can I bear the tone of your oration: ²⁷ because, you not only fall upon the orphan, but also insult your friend. ²⁸ But now having looked you in the face I will not lie. ²⁹ Sit down I pray you, and let there be no more reproaches. Indeed you again meet a righteous man. ³⁰ For there are no reproaches on my tongue, and as for my palate, doth it not relish wisdom?