Job 6:1-30 - Job's Second Speech: A Response To Eliphaz

¹ In rebuttal, Job replied: ² "If only my grief could be weighed; or my calamity piled together on a balance scale! ³ It would weigh more than the sand on the seashore! Here's why I've talked so rashly: ⁴ "The arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit absorbs their poison; God's terrors have been arranged just for me! ⁵ "Will the wild donkey bray from hunger if fresh grass is beside him? Will the ox low from distress if it is near its feed? ⁶ Tasteless food isn't eaten without salt, is it? Is there any taste in an egg white? ⁷ I cannot bring myself to touch them; food like this makes me sick."

⁸ "Who will grant my wish? I wish God would grant what I'm hoping for: ⁹ that God would just be willing to crush me; that he would let loose and eliminate me! ¹⁰ At least I could still take comfort and rejoice in unceasing anguish, for I didn't conceal what the Holy One has to say.

¹¹ "Do I have the strength to wait? And why should I be patient? ¹² Am I as strong as a rock? Am I some kind of iron man? ¹³ There is no help within me, is there? My resources have been driven away from me, haven't they?

¹⁴ The friend shows gracious love for his friend, even if he has forsaken the fear of the Almighty. ¹⁵ But my brothers have acted treacherously like a cascading river, like torrential rivers that overflow. ¹⁶ Filled with waters made cold by ice, they are where the snow goes to hide. ¹⁷ But then the snow melts, and they disappear; when warmed, they evaporate from their stream beds. ¹⁸ Travelers divert in their route; they go into a wasteland and die. ¹⁹ Travelers from Tema search intently; caravans from Sheba hope to find them. ²⁰ For all their expectations, they are doomed to disappointment; even though they have come and searched this far. ²¹ "And now you're all just like them, aren't you? You see my terror and are terrified. ²² When did I ever ask you for anything, say "Offer a bribe for me from your wealth?' ²³ or say "Deliver me from my enemy's control,' or "Redeem me from the domination of ruthless people'?"

²⁴ "Instruct me, and I'll remain silent. Help me understand where I've gone astray. ²⁵ The truth can be painful, but what has your argument proven? ²⁶ Did you intend your words to reprove, even though the speech of a desperate person is just wind? ²⁷ Indeed, you would gamble to buy an orphan; and barter to buy your friend!

²⁸ Now be willing to face me, and I won't lie to your face. ²⁹ Repent! Let there be no injustice; Change your ways! My vindication is at stake. ³⁰ Have I said anything that's unjust? I can discern evil, can't I?"

¹ "Men have harsh servitude on earth, do they not? His days are like those of a hired laborer, are they not? ² I'm like a servant who longs for the shade, like a hired laborer who is looking for his wages. ³ Truly I've been allotted months of emptiness; nights of trouble have been appointed for me. ⁴ "When I lie down I ask, "When will I wake up?' But the night continues and I keep tossing and turning until dawn. ⁵ My skin is covered with worms and clods of dirt; my skin becomes rough and then breaks out afresh.

⁶ My days pass as swiftly as a hand-loom; they come to their conclusion without hope. ⁷ Remember that my life is a breath; my eyes won't go back to seeing good things. ⁸ The eyes of the one who sees me won't see me anymore; your eyes will look for me but I won't be around! ⁹ As a cloud fades away and vanishes, the one who descends to the afterlife doesn't return. ¹⁰ He doesn't return again to his house, and his place won't recognize him anymore."

¹¹ "In addition, I won't keep my opinion to myself; I'll speak from my distressed spirit; I'll complain with my bitter soul. ¹² Am I the sea, or a sea monster, that you keep watching me? ¹³ For I've said, "My bed will comfort me; my couch will ease my burdens while I complain.' ¹⁴ But then you scared me with dreams; you terrified me with visions. ¹⁵ I would rather die by strangulation than continue living. ¹⁶ I hate the thought of living forever! Leave me alone, because my days are pointless."

¹⁷ "What is a human being, that you make so much of him; that you set your affections on him, ¹⁸ visit him every morning, and test him continually? ¹⁹ Why won't you look away from me? Why don't you leave me alone so I can swallow my saliva? ²⁰ So what if I sin? What have I done against you, you observer of humankind? Why have you made me your target? Why burden yourself with me? ²¹ Why haven't you pardoned my transgression and taken away my iniquity? Now I'm about to lie down in the dust. You will seek me diligently, but I won't be around!"