Job Replies to Eliphaz
6:1 Then Job answered and said,
6:2 O1
if only my grief2
could be weighed,3
and my misfortune laid4
in the balances too!5
6:3 But because it is heavier6
than the sand7
of the sea,
that is why my words have been wild.8
6:4 For the arrows9
of the Almighty10
are within me,
the poison11
of which my spirit12
drinks;
the sudden terrors13
of God are arrayed14
against me.
Complaints Reflect Suffering
6:5 Does the wild donkey15
bray16
when he is near grass?17
Or18
does the ox low near its fodder?19
6:6 Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt?
Or is there any taste in the white20
of an egg?
6:7 I21
have refused22
to touch such things;23
they are like loathsome food to me.24
A Cry for Death
6:8 O that25
my request would be realized,26
and that God would grant me what I long for!27
6:9 And that God would be willing28
to crush me,
that he would let loose29
his hand
and30
cut me off.31
6:10 Then I should yet have my comfort,32
then33
I would rejoice,34
in spite of pitiless fear,35
for36
I have not concealed the words37
of the Holy One.38
6:11 What is my strength, that I should wait?39
and what is my end,40
that I should prolong my life?
6:12 Is my strength the strength of stones?41
or is my flesh of bronze?
6:13 Is42
not my power to help myself nothing,
and has not every resource43
been driven from me?
Disappointing Friends
6:14 To the one who is despairing kindness should
come from his friend44
even if45
he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
6:15 My brothers46
have been as treacherous47
as a brook,48
and as the river bed of the brooks49
that flow away.50
6:16 They51
are dark52
because ice,
snow is piled53
up over them.54
6:17 When they are warmed,55
they dry up,
when it is hot, they vanish56
out of their place.
6:18 Caravans57
turn aside from their way,
they go58
into the wasteland59
and perish.60
6:19 The caravans of Tema61
looked intently,62
the traveling merchants63
of Sheba hoped for them;
6:20 They were distressed,64
because each one had been65
so confident,
they arrived there,66
but were disappointed.
6:21 For now67
you have become like it;68
you see a terror,69
and are afraid.
Friends’ Fears
6:22 Have I70
said,71
`Give me something,
and from your fortune72
make gifts73
in my favor!
6:23 And deliver me74
from the enemy’s hand,
and from the hand of tyrants75
ransom76
me?’
No Sin Discovered
6:24 Teach77
me and I for my part78
will be silent;
explain to me79
how I have erred.80
6:25 How painful81
are honest words!
But82
what does reproof83
from you prove?84
6:26 Do you intend to criticize mere words,
and treat85
the words of a despairing man as wind?
6:27 Yes, you would cast lots86
for the fatherless,
and speculate87
about your friend.
Other Explanation
6:28 Now then, be good enough to look88
upon me;89
and I will not90
lie to your face?
6:29 Relent,91
let there be no falsehood,92
reconsider,93
for my righteousness is intact!94
6:30 Is there any falsehood95
on my lips,
Cannot my mouth96
discern evil things?97