Job 9:27
New International Version
If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile,’

New Living Translation
If I decided to forget my complaints, to put away my sad face and be cheerful,

English Standard Version
If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad face, and be of good cheer,’

Berean Standard Bible
If I were to say, ‘I will forget my complaint and change my expression and smile,’

King James Bible
If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:

New King James Version
If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad face and wear a smile,’

New American Standard Bible
“Though I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will put my face in order and be cheerful,’

NASB 1995
“Though I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my sad countenance and be cheerful,’

NASB 1977
“Though I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my sad countenance and be cheerful,’

Legacy Standard Bible
Though I say, ‘I will forget my musing, I will forsake my sad countenance and be cheerful,’

Amplified Bible
“If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my sad appearance, and be cheerful and brighten up,’

Christian Standard Bible
If I said, “I will forget my complaint, change my expression, and smile,”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If I said, “I will forget my complaint, change my expression, and smile,”

American Standard Version
If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad countenance, and be of good cheer;

Contemporary English Version
Sometimes I try to be cheerful and to stop complaining,

English Revised Version
If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad countenance, and be of good cheer:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[Even] if I say, 'I will forget my complaining; I will change my expression and smile,'

International Standard Version
If I were to say, 'Let me forget my complaint,' change the expression on my face, and look cheerful,

Majority Standard Bible
If I were to say, ‘I will forget my complaint and change my expression and smile,’

NET Bible
If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression and be cheerful,'

New Heart English Bible
If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad face, and cheer up;'

Webster's Bible Translation
If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:

World English Bible
If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad face, and cheer up,’
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Though I say, I forget my talking, "" I forsake my corner, and I brighten up!

Young's Literal Translation
Though I say, 'I forget my talking, I forsake my corner, and I brighten up!'

Smith's Literal Translation
If my saying, I will forget my complaint, I will let go my face, and I will be cheerful:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If I say: I will not speak so: I change my face, and am tormented with sorrow.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If I say: “By no means will I speak this way.” I change my face and I am tortured with sorrow.

New American Bible
If I say: I will forget my complaining, I will lay aside my sadness and be of good cheer,

New Revised Standard Version
If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint; I will put off my sad countenance and be of good cheer,’
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I have forgotten my bitterness; if my mind or my thought would leave me alone, then I would find rest.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
With my bitterness I have forgotten my story; if I shall leave my meditation or my words, I am grieved
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If I say: 'I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad countenance, and be of good cheer',

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if I should say, I will forget to speak, I will bow down my face and groan;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job: How Can I Argue with God?
26They sweep by like boats of papyrus, like an eagle swooping down on its prey. 27If I were to say, ‘I will forget my complaint and change my expression and smile,’ 28I would still dread all my sufferings; I know that You will not acquit me.…

Cross References
Psalm 39:13
Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may again be cheered before I depart and am no more.”

Psalm 39:2
I was speechless and still; I remained silent, even from speaking good, and my sorrow was stirred.

Psalm 77:2-4
In the day of trouble I sought the Lord; through the night my outstretched hands did not grow weary; my soul refused to be comforted. / I remembered You, O God, and I groaned; I mused and my spirit grew faint. Selah / You have kept my eyes from closing; I am too troubled to speak.

Psalm 42:5
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence.

Psalm 42:11
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 55:2
Attend to me and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and distraught

Psalm 55:6
I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.

Psalm 102:9
For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears

Psalm 143:4
My spirit grows faint within me; my heart is dismayed inside me.

Ecclesiastes 2:2
I said of laughter, “It is folly,” and of pleasure, “What does it accomplish?”

Ecclesiastes 7:3
Sorrow is better than laughter, for a sad countenance is good for the heart.

Isaiah 38:15
What can I say? He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done this. I will walk slowly all my years because of the anguish of my soul.

Jeremiah 20:7
You have deceived me, O LORD, and I was deceived. You have overcome me and prevailed. I am a laughingstock all day long; everyone mocks me.

Lamentations 3:17
My soul has been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is.

Matthew 11:28
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.


Treasury of Scripture

If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:

Job 7:13
When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint;

Psalm 77:2,3
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted…

Jeremiah 8:18
When I would comfort myself against sorrow, my heart is faint in me.

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Bright Brighten Change Cheer Cheerful Comfort Complaint Corner Countenance Expression Face Forget Forsake Good Grief Heaviness Leave Mind Sad Smile Talking
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Bright Brighten Change Cheer Cheerful Comfort Complaint Corner Countenance Expression Face Forget Forsake Good Grief Heaviness Leave Mind Sad Smile Talking
Job 9
1. Job acknowledges God's justice
22. Man's innocence is not to be condemned by afflictions














If I say
This phrase introduces a hypothetical scenario, reflecting Job's internal dialogue. In Hebrew, the word for "say" is "אָמַר" (amar), which often implies a declaration or intention. Job is contemplating a shift in his attitude, suggesting a moment of introspection and decision-making. This reflects the human tendency to wrestle with one's thoughts and emotions, especially in times of suffering.

I will forget my complaint
The Hebrew root for "forget" is "שָׁכַח" (shakach), which means to cease to care or to ignore. Job is considering the possibility of dismissing his grievances. The word "complaint" comes from "שִׂיחַ" (siach), meaning meditation or musing, often used in the context of lamentation. Job's complaint is not just a casual grievance but a deep, contemplative expression of his suffering. This phrase highlights the struggle between acknowledging pain and the desire to move beyond it.

I will change my expression
The term "change" in Hebrew is "עָזַב" (azab), which can mean to leave or forsake. Job is contemplating a transformation in his demeanor. The "expression" refers to his countenance or face, indicating a visible change in his emotional state. This reflects the biblical understanding that one's inner state is often mirrored in their outward appearance. Job is considering the possibility of altering his visible demeanor despite his internal turmoil.

and smile
The Hebrew word for "smile" is "שָׂחַק" (sachaq), which can also mean to laugh or rejoice. This suggests a profound shift from sorrow to joy. In the context of Job's immense suffering, the idea of smiling seems almost paradoxical. It underscores the tension between enduring hardship and the hope of finding joy. This phrase invites readers to consider the power of faith and resilience in transforming one's outlook, even in the darkest times.

Verse 27. - If I say, I will forget my complaint (comp. above, Job 7:13). Job represents himself as sometimes, for a moment, imagining that he might put aside his load of sorrow by not thinking of it. He tries, and says to himself, "I will forget," etc.; but in vain. The whole mass of his sufferings seems to rise up against him, and make even momentary forgetfulness impossible. I will leave off my heaviness; or, my black looks. And comfort myself (comp. Job 10:20 and Psalm 39:13, where the same verb is rendered "recover strength").

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

I say,
אָ֭מְרִי (’ā·mə·rî)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘I will forget
אֶשְׁכְּחָ֣ה (’eš·kə·ḥāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 7911: To mislay, to be oblivious of, from want of memory, attention

my complaint,
שִׂיחִ֑י (śî·ḥî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 7879: A contemplation, an utterance

I will change
אֶעֶזְבָ֖ה (’e·‘ez·ḇāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit

my expression,
פָנַ֣י (p̄ā·nay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6440: The face

and smile,’
וְאַבְלִֽיגָה׃ (wə·’aḇ·lî·ḡāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 1082: To break off, loose, desist, invade


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OT Poetry: Job 9:27 If I say 'I will forget my (Jb)
Job 9:26
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