Job 6
Job’s Reply to Eliphaz
1Then Job answered:23If only my grief could be weighed and my devastation placed with it on the scales.4
5For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas! That is why my words are rash.6
7Surely the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks their poison. God’s terrors are arrayed against me.8
9Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass or an ox low over its fodder?10
11Is bland food eaten without salt? Is there flavor in an egg white?12
13I refuse to touch them; they are like contaminated food.14
15If only my request would be granted and God would provide what I hope for:16
17that he would decide to crush me, to unleash his power and cut me off!18
19It would still bring me comfort, and I would leap for joy in unrelenting pain that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.20
21What strength do I have, that I should continue to hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?22
23Is my strength that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?24
25Since I cannot help myself, the hope for success has been banished from me.26
27A despairing man should receive loyalty from his friends, even if he abandons the fear of the Almighty.28
29My brothers are as treacherous as a wadi, as seasonal streams that overflow30
31and become darkened because of ice, and the snow melts into them.32
33The wadis evaporate in warm weather; they disappear from their channels in hot weather.34
35Caravans turn away from their routes, go up into the desert, and perish.36
37The caravans of Tema look for these streams. The traveling merchants of Sheba hope for them.38
39They are ashamed because they had been confident of finding water. When they arrive there, they are disappointed.40
41So this is what you have now become to me. When you see something dreadful, you are afraid.42
43Have I ever said, “Give me something” or “Pay a bribe for me from your wealth”44
45or “Deliver me from the enemy’s hand” or “Redeem me from the hand of the ruthless”?46
47Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand what I did wrong.48
49How painful honest words can be! But what does your rebuke prove?50
51Do you think that you can disprove my words or that a despairing man’s words are mere wind?52
53No doubt you would cast lots for a fatherless child and negotiate a price to sell your friend.54
55But now, please look at me; I will not lie to your face.56
57Reconsider; don’t be unjust. Reconsider; my righteousness is still the issue.58
59Is there injustice on my tongue or can my palate not taste disaster?60