6In rebuttal, Job replied:H347H6030H5592"If only my grief could be weighed; or my calamity piled together on a balance scale!H3863H3708H8254H8254H1942H1962H5375H3976H31623It would weigh more than the sand on the seashore! Here's why I've talked so rashly:H3513H2344H3220H1697H38864"The arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit absorbs their poison; God's terrors have been arranged just for me!H2671H7706H5978H2534H8354H7307H1161H433H61865"Will the wild donkey bray from hunger if fresh grass is beside him? Will the ox low from distress if it is near its feed?H6501H5101H1877H1600H7794H10986Tasteless food isn't eaten without salt, is it? Is there any taste in an egg white?H8602H398H4417H3426H2940H7388H24957I cannot bring myself to touch them; food like this makes me sick."H5315H3985H5060H1741H3899
Job Desires Death
8"Who will grant my wish? I wish God would grant what I'm hoping for:H935H7596H433H5414H86159that God would just be willing to crush me; that he would let loose and eliminate me!H2974H433H1792H5425H3027H121410At least I could still take comfort and rejoice in unceasing anguish, for I didn't conceal what the Holy One has to say.H5165H5539H2427H2550H3582H561H691811"Do I have the strength to wait? And why should I be patient?H3581H3176H7093H748H531512Am I as strong as a rock? Am I some kind of iron man?H3581H3581H68H1320H515313There is no help within me, is there? My resources have been driven away from me, haven't they?H5833H8454H5080
Job Accuses His Friends of Treachery
14The friend shows gracious love for his friend, even if he has forsaken the fear of the Almighty.H4523H2617H7453H5800H3374H770615But my brothers have acted treacherously like a cascading river, like torrential rivers that overflow.H251H898H5158H650H5158H567416Filled with waters made cold by ice; they are where the snow goes to hide.H6937H7140H7950H595617But then the snow melts, and they disappear; when warmed, they evaporate from their stream beds.H6256H2215H6789H2527H1846H472518Travelers divert in their route; they go into a wasteland and die.H734H1870H3943H5927H8414H619Travelers from Tema search intently; caravans from Sheba hope to find them.H734H8485H5027H1979H7614H696020For all their expectations, they are doomed to disappointment; even though they have come and searched this far.H954H982H935H265921"And now you're all just like them, aren't you? You see my terror and are terrified.H7200H2866H337222When did I ever ask you for anything, say 'Offer a bribe for me from your wealth?'H559H3051H7809H358123or say 'Deliver me from my enemy's control,' or 'Redeem me from the domination of ruthless people'?"H4422H6862H3027H6299H3027H6184
Job Requests Mercy from His Friends
24"Instruct me, and I'll remain silent. Help me understand where I've gone astray.H3384H2790H995H768625The truth can be painful, but what has your argument proven?H4834H3476H561H3198H319826Did you intend your words to reprove, even though the speech of a desperate person is just wind?H2803H3198H4405H561H2976H730727Indeed, you would gamble to buy an orphan; and barter to buy your friend!H5307H3490H3738H745328Now be willing to face me, and I won't lie to your face.H2974H6437H6440H357629Repent! Let there be no injustice; Change your ways! My vindication is at stake.H7725H5766H7725H666430Have I said anything that's unjust? I can discern evil, can't I?"H3426H5766H3956H2441H995H1942
Dublin, OH
