Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, November 21st, 2024
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Read the Bible

English Standard Version

Job 6

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Job Replies: My Complaint Is Just

1 Then Job answered and said:

2 "Oh that my vexation were weighed,
    and all my calamity laid in the balances!
3 For then it would be heavier than (a)the sand of the sea;
    therefore my words have been rash.
4 For (b)the arrows of the Almighty are in me;
    my spirit drinks their poison;
    the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass,
    or the ox low over his fodder?
6 Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt,
    or is there any taste in the juice of the mallow?[a]
7 My appetite refuses to touch them;
    they are as food that is loathsome to me.[b]

8 "Oh that I might have my request,
    and that God would fulfill my hope,
9 that it would (c)please God to crush me,
    that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!
10 This would be my comfort;
    I would even exult[c] in pain (d)unsparing,
    for I have not denied the words of (e)the Holy One.
11 What is my strength, that I should wait?
    And what is my end, that I should be patient?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?
13 Have I any help in me,
    when resource is driven from me?

14 "He who (f)withholds[d] kindness from a (g)friend
    forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My (h)brothers are (i)treacherous as a torrent-bed,
    as torrential (j)streams that pass away,
16 which are dark with ice,
    and where the snow hides itself.
17 When they melt, they disappear;
    when it is hot, they vanish from their place.
18 The caravans turn aside from their course;
    they go up into (k)the waste and perish.
19 The caravans of (l)Tema look,
    the travelers of (m)Sheba hope.
20 They are (n)ashamed because they were confident;
    they come there and are (o)disappointed.
21 For you have now become nothing;
    you see my calamity and are afraid.
22 Have I said, ‘Make me a gift'?
    Or, ‘From your wealth offer a bribe for me'?
23 Or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary's hand'?
    Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of (p)the ruthless'?

24 "Teach me, and I will be silent;
    make me understand how I have gone astray.
25 How forceful are upright words!
    But what does reproof from you reprove?
26 Do you think that you can reprove words,
    when the speech of a despairing man is (q)wind?
27 You would even (r)cast lots over the fatherless,
    and bargain over your friend.

28 "But now, be pleased to look at me,
    for I will not lie to your face.
29 (s)Please turn; let no injustice be done.
    Turn now; my vindication is at stake.
30 Is there any injustice on my tongue?
    Cannot my palate discern the cause of calamity?

 
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