Giobbe 6:16-26

16 I quali sono scuri per lo ghiaccio; E sopra cui la neve si ammonzicchia;

17 Ma poi, al tempo che corrono, vengono meno, Quando sentono il caldo, spariscono dal luogo loro.

18 I sentieri del corso loro si contorcono, Essi si riducono a nulla, e si perdono.

19 Le schiere de’ viandanti di Tema li riguardavano, Le carovane di Seba ne aveano presa speranza;

20 Ma si vergognano di esservisi fidati; Essendo giunti fin là, sono confusi.

21 Perciocchè ora voi siete venuti a niente; Avete veduta la ruina, ed avete avuta paura.

22 Vi ho io detto: Datemi, E fate presenti delle vostre facoltà per me?

23 E liberatemi di man del nemico, E riscuotetemi di man de’ violenti?

24 Insegnatemi, ed io mi tacerò; E ammaestratemi, se pure ho errato in qualche cosa.

25 Quanto son potenti le parole di dirittura! E che potrà in esse riprendere alcun di voi?

26 Stimate voi che parlare sia convincere? E che i ragionamenti di un uomo che ha perduta ogni speranza non sieno altro che vento?

Giobbe 6:16-26 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.