Job 6

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW JERUSALEM
1 But Job, responding, said:	1 Job spoke next. He said:
2 I wish that my sins, for which I deserve wrath, and the calamity that I endure, were weighed out on a balance.	2 If only my misery could be weighed, and al my il s be put together on the scales!
3 Compared to the sand of the sea, they would appear heavier, and so my words are full of sorrow.	3 But they outweigh the sands of the seas: what wonder then if my words are wild?
4 For the arrows of the Lord are in me, my spirit drinks of their indignation, and the terrors of the Lord are soldiers against me.	4 The arrows of Shaddai stick fast in me, my spirit absorbs their poison, God's terrors stand paradedagainst me.
5 Will the wild ass bray when he has grass? Or will the ox bellow when he stands before a full manger?	5 Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, or an ox low when its fodder is within reach?
6 Or can one eat bland food, which is not seasoned with salt? Or can anyone taste that which, if tasted, causes death?	6 Is not food insipid, eaten without salt, is there any taste in egg-white?
7 The things that my soul was unwilling to touch before, now, because of anguish, are my foods.	7 But the very things my appetite revolts at are now my diet in sickness.
8 Who will grant that my petition may arrive and that God may bestow on me what I expect,	8 Will no one hear my prayer, will not God himself grant my hope?
9 and that he who, at first, had crushed me, will let loose his hand and cut me down?	9 May it please God to crush me, to give his hand free play and do away with me!
10 And may this be my consolation, that in afflicting me with sorrow, although he might not be lenient with me, I still do not contradict the words of the Holy One.	10 This thought, at least, would give me comfort (a thril of joy in unrelenting pain), that I never rebel edagainst the Holy One's decrees.
11 For what is my strength, that I may continue? Or what is my goal, so that I may act patiently?	11 But have I the strength to go on waiting? And why be patient, when doomed to such an end?
12 My strength is not the strength of stones, nor is my flesh made of bronze.	12 Is mine the strength of stone, is my flesh made of bronze?
13 Behold, there is no help for me in myself, and my loved ones also have withdrawn from me.	13 Can I support myself on nothing? Has not al help deserted me?
14 He who takes away mercy from his friend, abandons the fear of the Lord.	14 Refuse faithful love to your neighbour and you forsake the fear of Shaddai.
15 My brethren have disregarded me, like a torrent that passes swiftly through the steep valleys.	15 Like the torrent, my brothers have proved deceptive, as fleeting torrents they flow:
16 Those who fear frost, snow will rush over them.	16 the ice makes their waters turgid when, above them, the snow melts,
17 At that time, when they are scattered, they will perish, and when it becomes hot, they will be freed from their place.	17 but, come the burning summer, they run dry, they vanish in the heat of the sun.
18 The paths of their steps are entangled; they will walk in vain and will perish.	18 Caravans leave the trail to find them, go deep into wastelands, and are lost.
19 Consider the paths of Thema, the ways of Saba, and wait a little while.	19 The caravans of Tema look to them, and on them Sheba's convoys build their hopes.
20 They have been thrown into confusion, just as I had hoped; they have even come to me and are overwhelmed with shame.	20 Their trust brings only embarrassment, they reach them only to be thwarted.
21 Now you have arrived, and merely by seeing my affliction, you are afraid.	21 And this is how you now treat me, terrified at the sight of me, you take fright.
22 Did I say: “Bring to me and give to me from your necessities?”	22 Have I said to you, 'Give me something, make some present for me at your own cost,
23 or, “Free me from the hand of the enemy and rescue me from the hand of the strong?”	23 snatch me from the grasp of an oppressor, ransom me from the grip of a violent man'?
24 Teach me, and I will be silent, and if by chance I have been ignorant of anything, instruct me.	24 Put me right, and I shal say no more; show me where I have been at fault.
25 Why have you diminished the words of truth, when there is none of you who is able to offer proof against me?	25 Fair comment can be borne without resentment, but what are your strictures aimed at?
26 You prepare speeches as so much noise, and you offer words into the wind.	26 Do you think mere words deserve censure, desperate speech that the wind blows away?
27 You encroach upon the orphan, and you strive to undermine your friend.	27 Soon you wil be haggling over the price of an orphan, and sel ing your friend at bargain price!
28 Such is true, so finish what you have begun. Listen closely, and see if I lie.	28 Come, I beg you, look at me: man to man, I shal not lie.
29 Respond, I beg you, without contention, and, speaking what is just, pass judgment.	29 Relent then, no harm is done; relent then, since I am upright.
30 And you will not find iniquity on my tongue, nor will foolishness resound in my throat.	30 Is evil to be found on my lips? Can I not recognise misfortune when I taste it?