Job 6:23-30

23 vel liberate me de manu hostis et de manu robustorum eruite me
24 docete me et ego tacebo et si quid forte ignoravi instruite me
25 quare detraxistis sermonibus veritatis cum e vobis nullus sit qui possit arguere
26 ad increpandum tantum eloquia concinnatis et in ventum verba profertis
27 super pupillum inruitis et subvertere nitimini amicum vestrum
28 verumtamen quod coepistis explete praebete aurem et videte an mentiar
29 respondete obsecro absque contentione et loquentes id quod iustum est iudicate
30 et non invenietis in lingua mea iniquitatem nec in faucibus meis stultitia personabit

Job 6:23-30 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.

The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.