Job 6:3-1953 kjv — For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up. For the arrows of the Almigh…

“For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas: Therefore have my words been rash. For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, The poison whereof my spirit drinketh up: The terrors of God do set themselves in array against me. Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? Or loweth the ox over his fodder? Can that which hath no savor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? My soul refuseth to touch them; They are as loathsome food to me. Oh that I might have my request; And that God would grantmethe 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! And be it still my consolation, Yea, let me exult in pain that spareth not, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One. What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is mine end, that I should be patient? Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass? Is it not that I have no help in me, And that wisdom is driven quite from me? To him that is ready to faint kindness should be showed from his friend; Even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, As the channel of brooks that pass away; Which are black by reason of the ice, And wherein the snow hideth itself: What time they wax warm, they vanish; When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. The caravansthat travelby the way of them turn aside; They go up into the waste, and perish. The caravans of Tema looked, The companies of Sheba waited for them. They were put to shame because they had hoped; They came thither, and were confounded. For now ye are nothing; Ye see a terror, and are afraid. Did I say, Give unto me? Or, Offer a present for me of 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; And cause me to understand wherein I have erred. How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what doth it reprove? Do ye think to reprove words, Seeing that the speeches of one that is desperate are as wind? Yea, ye would castlotsupon the fatherless, And make merchandise of your friend. Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; For surely I shall not lie to your face. Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; Yea, return again, my cause is righteous. Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern mischievous things? ”

“For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore have my words 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! Be it still 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 brass? Isn't it that I have no help in me, That wisdom is driven quite 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 aside. 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 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 wherein I have erred. 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 shall 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?”

“But because it is heavier than the sand of the sea, that is why my words have been wild. For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; my spirit drinks their poison; God’s sudden terrors are arrayed against me. Complaints Reflect Suffering“Does the wild donkey bray when it is near grass? Or does the ox bellow over its fodder? Can food that is tasteless be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? I have refused to touch such things; they are like loathsome food to me. A Cry for Death“Oh that my request would be realized, and that God would grant me what I long for! And that God would be willing to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and kill me. Then I would yet have my comfort, then I would rejoice, in spite of pitiless pain, for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One. What is my strength, that I should wait? and what is my end, that I should prolong my life? Is my strength like that of stones? or is my flesh made of bronze? Is not my power to help myself nothing, and has not every resource been driven from me? Disappointing Friends“To the one in despair, kindness should come from his friend even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. My brothers have been as treacherous as a seasonal stream, and as the riverbeds of the intermittent streams that flow away. They are dark because of ice; snow is piled up over them. When they are scorched, they dry up, when it is hot, they vanish from their place. Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish. The caravans of Tema looked intently for these streams; the traveling merchants of Sheba hoped for them. They were distressed, because each one had been so confident; they arrived there, but were disappointed. For now you have become like these streams that are no help; you see a terror, and are afraid. Friends’ Fears“Have I ever said,‘Give me something, and from your fortune make gifts in my favor’? Or‘Deliver me from the enemy’s power, and from the hand of tyrants ransom me’? No Sin Discovered“Teach me and I, for my part, will be silent; explain to me how I have been mistaken. How painful are honest words! But what does your reproof prove? Do you intend to criticize mere words, and treat the words of a despairing man as wind? Yes, you would gamble for the fatherless, and auction off your friend. Other Explanation“Now then, be good enough to look at me; and I will not lie to your face! Relent, let there be no falsehood; reconsider, for my righteousness is intact! Is there any falsehood on my lips? Can my mouth not discern evil things?”

“As the sand of the sea, this would appear heavier: therefore, my words are full of sorrow: For the arrows of the Lord are in me, the rage whereof drinketh up my spirit, and the terrors of the Lord war against me. Will the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or will the ox low when he standeth before a full manger? Or can an unsavoury thing be eaten, that is not seasoned with salt? or can a man taste that which, when tasted, bringeth death? The things which before my soul would not touch, now, through anguish, are my meats. Who will grant that my request may come: and that God may give me what I look for? And that he that hath begun may destroy me, that he may let loose his hand, and cut me off? And that this may be my comfort, that afflicting me with sorrow, he spare not, nor I contradict the words of the Holy one. For what is my strength, that I can hold out? or what is my end, that I should keep patience? My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh of brass. Behold there is no help for me in myself, and my familiar friends also are departed from me. He that taketh away mercy from his friend, forsaketh the fear of the Lord. My brethren have passed by me, as the torrent that passeth swiftly in the valleys. They that fear the hoary frost, the snow shall fall upon them. At the time when they shall be scattered they shall perish: and after it groweth hot, they shall be melted out of their place. The paths of their steps are entangled: they shall walk in vain, and shall perish. Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while. They are confounded, because I have hoped: they are come also even unto me, and are covered with shame. Now you are come: and now, seeing my affliction, you are afraid. Did I say: Bring to me, and give me of your substance? Or deliver me from the hand of the enemy, and rescue me out of the hand of the mighty? Teach me, and I will hold my peace: and if I have been ignorant of any thing, instruct me. Why have you detracted the words of truth, whereas there is none of you that can reprove me? You dress up speeches only to rebuke, and you utter words to the wind. You rush in upon the fatherless, and you endeavour to overthrow your friend. However, finish what you have begun: give ear and see whether I lie. Answer, I beseech you, without contention: and speaking that which is just, judge ye. And you shall not find iniquity in my tongue, neither shall folly sound in my mouth. ”

“For then its weight would be more than the sand of the seas: because of this my words have been uncontrolled. For the arrows of the Ruler of all are present with me, and their poison goes deep into my spirit: his army of fears is put in order against me. Does the ass of the fields give out his voice when he has grass? or does the ox make sounds over his food? Will a man take food which has no taste without salt? or is there any taste in the soft substance of purslain? My soul has no desire for such things, they are as disease in my food. If only I might have an answer to my prayer, and God would give me my desire! If only he would be pleased to put an end to me; and would let loose his hand, so that I might be cut off! So I would still have comfort, and I would have joy in the pains of death, for I have not been false to the words of the Holy One. Have I strength to go on waiting, or have I any end to be looking forward to? Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh brass? I have no help in myself, and wisdom is completely gone from me. He whose heart is shut against his friend has given up the fear of the Ruler of all. My friends have been false like a stream, like streams in the valleys which come to an end: Which are dark because of the ice, and the snow falling into them; Under the burning sun they are cut off, and come to nothing because of the heat. The camel-trains go out of their way; they go up into the waste and come to destruction. The camel-trains of Tema were searching with care, the bands of Sheba were waiting for them: They were put to shame because of their hope; they came and their hope was gone. So have you now become to me; you see my sad condition and are in fear. Did I say, Give me something? or, Make a payment for me out of your wealth? Or, Get me out of the power of my hater? or, Give money so that I may be free from the power of the cruel ones? Give me teaching and I will be quiet; and make me see my error. How pleasing are upright words! but what force is there in your arguments? My words may seem wrong to you, but the words of him who has no hope are for the wind. Truly, you are such as would give up the child of a dead man to his creditors, and would make a profit out of your friend. Now then, let your eyes be turned to me, for truly I will not say what is false to your face. Let your minds be changed, and do not have an evil opinion of me; yes, be changed, for my righteousness is still in me. Is there evil in my tongue? is not the cause of my trouble clear to me?”

“For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up. For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me. Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder? Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg? The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat. 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 destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off! Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One. What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life? Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass? Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me? To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away; Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid: What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish. The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them. They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed. For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid. Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance? Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty? Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove? Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind? Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend. Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie. Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it. Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things? ”