Job 6 · איוב

And Iyyov answered and said,

Oh that my vexation were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances!

For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are stammering.

For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison of which my spirit drinks up: the terrors of God array themselves against me.

Does the wild ass bray when he has grass? or does the ox low over his fodder?

Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

My soul refuses to touch them; they are to me as loathsome food.

Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

Even that it would please God to trample on me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would exalt in pain: let him not spare; for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is my end, that I should be patient?

Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?

Is not my help in me? and is sound policy driven quite from me?

To him that is afflicted love is due from his friend; or else he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

My brethren have dealt deceitfully like a wadi, and like the water courses which disappear;

which are black by reason of the ice, and in which the snow dissolves:

when the time comes they grow warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

The caravans turn this way and that in their course: they go up into the waste, and perish.

The caravans of Tema looked, the companies of Sheva waited for them –

they were confounded because they had hoped; they came there, and were abashed.

For now you are like it; you see terror, and are afraid.

Did I say, Bring me something? or, Give a ransom for me out of your substance?

or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of tyrants?

Teach me, and I will hold my peace: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

How forcible are right words! but what does your reproof seek to reprove?

Do you think your words to be a sound argument, but the sayings of a desperate man to be mere wind?

would you even overthrow an orphan, or seek to undermine your friend?

Now therefore, be good enough to turn towards me: for surely I will not lie to your face.

Return, I pray you, let there be no unfairness: and turn back again: my cause is just.

Is there injustice in my tongue? cannot my taste discern crafty devices?