Job Chapter 6

From The Open Bible Project

6:1 Then Job answered,

6:2 "Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!

• (a To know whether I complain without just cause.

6:3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore have my words been rash.

• (b) My grief is so great that I lack words to express it.

6:4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me. My spirit drinks up their poison. The terrors of God set themselves in array against me.

• (c) Which declares that he was not only afflicted in body, but wounded in conscience, which is the greatest battle that the faithful can have.

6:5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?

• (d) Do you think that I cry without cause, seeing the brute beasts do not complain when they have what they want.

6:6 Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

• (e) Can a man’s taste delight in that, which has no savour? meaning that no one takes pleasure in affliction seeing they cannot do away with things that are unsavoury to the mouth.

6:7 My soul refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.

6:8 "Oh that I might have my request, that God would grant the thing that I long for,

• (f) In this he sins double, both in wishing through impatience to die, and also in desiring of God a thing which was not agreeable to his will.

6:9 even that it would please God to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

6:10 Be it still my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn't spare, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

• (g) That is, let me die at once before I come to distrust God’s promise through my impatience.

6:11 What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?

• (h) He fears lest he should be brought to inconveniences, if his sorrows should continue.

6:12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?

6:13 Isn't it that I have no help in me, That wisdom is driven quite from me?

• (i) Have I not sought to help myself as much as was possible?

6:14 "To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

6:15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;

• (k) He compares friends who do not comfort us in our misery to a brook which in summer when we need water is dry, in winter is hard frozen and in the time of rain when we have no need overflows with water.

6:16 Which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.

6:17 In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

6:18 The caravans that travel beside them turn aside. They go up into the waste, and perish.

6:19 The caravans of Tema looked. The companies of Sheba waited for them.

• (l) They who pass by it to go into the hot countries of Arabia, think to find water there to quench their thirst but they are deceived.

6:20 They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.

6:21 For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.

• (m) That is, like this brook which deceives them who think to have water there in their need, as I looked for consolation from you.

6:22 Did I say, 'Give to me?' or, 'Offer a present for me from your substance?'

• (n) He touches the worldlings who for need will give part of their goods, and much more these men, who would not give him comfortable words.

6:23 or, 'Deliver me from the adversary's hand?' or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?'

6:24 "Teach me, and I will hold my peace. Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

• (o) Show me where I have erred, and I will confess my sin.

6:25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?

• (p) He who has a good conscience does not shrink at the sharp words or reasonings of others, unless they are able to persuade him by reason.

6:26 Do you intend to reprove words, seeing that the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?

• (q) Do you object to my words because I would be thought to speak foolishly, and am now in misery?

6:27 Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.

6:28 Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I shall not lie to your face.

• (r) Consider whether I speak as one who is driven to this impatience through sorrow, or as a hypocrite as you condemn me.

6:29 Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.

6:30 Is there injustice on my tongue? Can't my taste discern mischievous things?