Job’s Reply to Eliphaz
1Then Job answered:
2If only my grief could be weighed
and my devastation6:2 Jb 30:13; Ps 57:1; Pr 19:13 placed with it on the scales.6:2 Jb 31:6; Dn 5:27; Mc 6:11
3For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas!
That is why my words are rash.
4Surely the arrows of the Almighty have pierced6:4 Lit Almighty are in me;
my spirit drinks their poison.
5Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass
or an ox low over its fodder?
6Is bland food eaten without salt?
Is there flavor in an egg white?6:6 Hb obscure
7I refuse to touch them;
8If only my request would be granted
and God would provide what I hope for:
9that he would decide to crush me,
to unleash his power and cut me off!
10It would still bring me comfort,
and I would leap for joy in unrelenting pain
that I have not denied6:10 Lit hidden the words of the Holy One.6:10 Jb 22:22; 23:12; Ps 119:102
11What strength do I have, that I should continue to hope?
What is my future, that I should be patient?
12Is my strength that of stone,
or my flesh made of bronze?
13Since I cannot help myself,
the hope for success has been banished from me.
even if he abandons the fear of the Almighty.
15My brothers are as treacherous as a wadi,
as seasonal streams that overflow
16and become darkened6:16 Or turbid because of ice,
and the snow melts into them.
17The wadis evaporate in warm weather;
they disappear from their channels in hot weather.
18Caravans turn away from their routes,
go up into the desert, and perish.
19The caravans of Tema look for these streams.
The traveling merchants of Sheba hope for them.
20They are ashamed because they had been confident of finding water.
21So this is what you have now become to me.6:21 Alt Hb tradition reads So you have now become nothing
When you see something dreadful, you are afraid.
22Have I ever said, “Give me something”
or “Pay a bribe for me from your wealth”
23or “Deliver me from the enemy’s hand”
or “Redeem me from the hand of the ruthless”?
24Teach me, and I will be silent.
Help me understand what I did wrong.
25How painful honest words can be!
But what does your rebuke prove?
26Do you think that you can disprove my words
27No doubt you would cast lots for a fatherless child
28But now, please look at me;
29Reconsider; don’t be unjust.
Reconsider; my righteousness6:29 Jb 2:3 is still the issue.
30Is there injustice on my tongue
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