n°18 / Job 6 :

1But Job answered and said,
2Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together !
3For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea : therefore my words are swallowed up.
4For 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.
5Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass ? or loweth the ox over his fodder ?
6Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt ? or is there any taste in the white of an egg ?
7The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
8Oh that I might have my request ; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for !
9Even that it would please God to destroy me ; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off !
10Then 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.
11What 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 ?
14To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend ; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
15My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away ;
16Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid :
17What time they wax warm, they vanish : when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18The paths of their way are turned aside ; they go to nothing, and perish.
19The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
20They were confounded because they had hoped ; they came thither, and were ashamed.
21For now ye are nothing ; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.
22Did I say, Bring unto me ? or, Give a reward for me of your substance ?
23Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand ? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty ?
24Teach me, and I will hold my tongue : and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25How forcible are right words ! but what doth your arguing reprove ?
26Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind ?
27Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
28Now therefore be content, look upon me ; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
29Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity ; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
30Is there iniquity in my tongue ? cannot my taste discern perverse things ?