Job 6:20-30

20 but their hope dies beside dry streams.
21 You are like those streams to me, you see my fate and draw back in fear.
22 Have I asked you to give me a gift or to bribe someone on my behalf
23 or to save me from some enemy or tyrant?
24 All right, teach me; tell me my faults. I will be quiet and listen to you.
25 Honest words are convincing, but you are talking nonsense.
26 You think I am talking nothing but wind; then why do you answer my words of despair?
27 You would even roll dice for orphan slaves and make yourselves rich off your closest friends!
28 Look me in the face. I won't lie.
29 You have gone far enough. Stop being unjust. Don't condemn me. I'm in the right.
30 But you think I am lying - you think I can't tell right from wrong.

Job 6:20-30 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.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. [Probable text] like; [Hebrew] because.
  • [b]. [Some ancient translations] and one; [Hebrew manuscript] to me; [most Hebrew manuscripts have two different expressions:] nothing [in the text and] to him [in the margin.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.