Job’s Second Speech: A Response to Eliphaz

6  Then[fn] Job answered and said,

• 2 and my calamity could be lifted up together with it in the balances,
• 3  therefore my words have been rash,
• 4 are in me; my spirit drinks their poison;
• the terrors of God are arrayed against me.
• 5 the wild ass bray over grass, or the ox bellow over its fodder?
• 6 food be eaten without[fn] salt, or is there taste in the white of a marshmallow plant?
• 7 [fn] to touch them; they are like[fn]
• 8 [fn] my request may come, and that God may grant my hope,
• 9 [fn] God would decide that[fn] he would crush me, that he would let loose his hand and[fn]
• 10 [fn] it will still be my consolation, and I would recoil in[fn] pain,
• for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
• 11 is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that[fn]
• 12 is my strength like the strength of stones? Or is my flesh bronze?
• 13 [fn] my help is not in me, and any success is driven from me.
• 14 [fn] should come for the afflicted from his friend, even if[fn] he forsakes the fear of Shaddai.
• 15  like a streambed of wadis[fn] they flow away,
• 16  it will pile up snow.
• 17  when it is hot, they vanish from their place.
• 18 around; they go up into the wasteland, and they perish.
• 19  the traveling merchants of Sheba hope for them.
• 20  they came[fn] and they are confounded.
• 21 [fn] have become [fn] you see terrors, and you fear.
• 22  or,[fn] ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth’?
• 23 [fn] ‘Save me from the foe’s hand,’ or,[fn] ‘Ransom me from the tyrants’ hand’?
• 24 [fn] will be silent; and make me understand how I have gone astray.
• 25 [fn] But[fn] what does [fn] reprove?
• 26 my words[fn] and consider the words of a desperate man as wind?
• 27 the orphan you would cast the lot, and you would bargain over your friend.
• 28 [fn] be prepared, turn to me, and I surely will not lie to your face.[fn]
• 29  indeed,[fn] turn, [fn]
• 30  Or can my palate not discern calamity?[fn]