Job 6:13-23

13 I have no power to help myself, because success has been taken away from me.
14 "They say, 'A man's friends should be kind to him when he is in trouble, even if he stops fearing the Almighty.'
15 But my brothers cannot be counted on. They are like streams that do not always flow, streams that sometimes run over.
16 They are made dark by melting ice and rise with melting snow.
17 But they stop flowing in the dry season; they disappear when it is hot.
18 Travelers turn away from their paths and go into the desert and die.
19 The groups of travelers from Tema look for water, and the traders of Sheba look hopefully.
20 They are upset because they had been sure; when they arrive, they are disappointed.
21 You also have been no help. You see something terrible, and you are afraid.
22 I have never said, 'Give me a gift. Use your wealth to pay my debt.
23 Save me from the enemy's power. Buy me back from the clutches of cruel people.'

Job 6:13-23 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.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.