Job 6:18-28

18 Turn aside do the paths of their way, They ascend into emptiness, and are lost.

19 Passengers of Tema looked expectingly, Travellers of Sheba hoped for them.

20 They were ashamed that one hath trusted, They have come unto it and are confounded.

21 Surely now ye have become the same! Ye see a downfall, and are afraid.

22 Is it because I said, Give to me? And, By your power bribe for me?

23 And, Deliver me from the hand of an adversary? And, From the hand of terrible ones ransom me?

24 Shew me, and I -- I keep silent, And what I have erred, let me understand.

25 How powerful have been upright sayings, And what doth reproof from you reprove?

26 For reproof -- do you reckon words? And for wind -- sayings of the desperate.

27 Anger on the fatherless ye cause to fall, And are strange to your friend.

28 And, now, please, look upon me, Even to your face do I lie?

Job 6:18-28 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 6

This and the following chapter contain Job's answer to the speech of Eliphaz in the two foregoing; he first excuses his impatience by the greatness of his afflictions, which, if weighed by good and impartial hands, would be found to be heavier than the sand of the sea, and which words were wanting to express, Job 6:1-3; and the reason why they were so heavy is given, they being the arrows and terrors of the Almighty, Job 6:4; and by various similes he shows that his moans and complaints under them need not seem strange and unreasonable, Job 6:5-7; and what had been said not being convincing to him, he continues in the same sentiment and disposition of mind, and wishes to be removed by death out of his miserable condition, and gives his reasons for it, Job 6:8-13; and though his case was such as required pity from his friends, yet this he had not from them, but represents them as deceitful, and as having sadly disappointed him, and therefore he neither hoped nor asked for anything of them, Job 6:14-23; and observes that their words and arguments were of no force and weight with him, but harmful and pernicious, Job 6:24-27; and in his turn gives them some exhortations and instructions, and signifies that he was as capable of discerning between right and wrong as they, with which this chapter is concluded, Job 6:28-30.