The Online Library of Liberty

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• The Book of Job. (a. V.)
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6

1 But Job answered and said,

2 Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity † laid in the balances together!

3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore ∥ my words are swallowed up.

4* 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.

5 Doth the wild ass bray † when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?

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

7 The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.

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

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

10 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.

11 What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?

12Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh † of brass?

13Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?

14† To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;

16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:

17 What time they wax warm, † they vanish: † when it is hot, they are † consumed out of their place.

18 The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.

19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.

21∥ For now ye are † nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.

22 Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?

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

25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

26 Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?

27 Yea, † ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.

28 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is† evident unto you if I lie.

29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is∥ in it.

30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot † my taste discern perverse things?

[† ] Heb. lifted up

[∥ ] That is, I want words to express my grief.

[* ] Ps. 38. 2.

[† ] Heb at grass.

[† ] Heb my expectation

[† ] Heb. brasen.

[† ] Heb. To him that melteth.

[† ] Heb. they are cut off.

[† ] Heb. in the heat thereof.

[† ] Heb. extinguished.

[∥ ] Or, For now ye are like to them. Heb. to it.

[† ] Heb. not.

[† ] Heb. ye cause to fall upon.

[† ] Heb. before your face.

[∥ ] That is, in this matter.

[† ] Heb. my palate.