Job 6:16-26

16 cuando crece por el hielo y por la nieve derretida;

17 pero en la estación cálida, el agua desaparece
y el arroyo se desvanece en el calor.

18 Las caravanas se desvían de su ruta para refrescarse,
pero no hay nada para beber y por eso mueren.

19 Las caravanas de Temán van en busca de esta agua;
los viajeros de Saba esperan encontrarla.

20 Confían que esté pero se decepcionan;
cuando llegan, sus esperanzas se desvanecen.

21 Tampoco ustedes han sido de ayuda,
han visto mi calamidad y les da miedo.

22 Pero ¿por qué? ¿Alguna vez les he pedido que me regalen algo?
¿Les he suplicado que me den algo suyo?

23 ¿Les he pedido que me rescaten de mis enemigos
o que me salven de personas despiadadas?

24 Enséñenme, y me quedaré callado;
muéstrenme en qué me equivoqué.

25 Las palabras sinceras pueden causar dolor,
pero ¿de qué sirven sus críticas?

26 ¿Creen que sus palabras son convincentes
cuando ignoran mi grito de desesperación?

Job 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.