| Berean Study Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Then Job replied: | 1Then Job answered: |
| 2“If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales. | 2If only my grief could be weighed and my devastation placed with it in the scales. |
| 3For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas—no wonder my words have been rash. | 3For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas! That is why my words are rash. |
| 4For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me. | 4Surely the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks their poison. God's terrors are arrayed against me. |
| 5Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over its fodder? | 5Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass or an ox low over its fodder? |
| 6Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg? | 6Is bland food eaten without salt? Is there flavor in an egg white? |
| 7My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me. | 7I refuse to touch them; they are like contaminated food. |
| 8If only my request were granted and God would fulfill my hope: | 8If only my request would be granted and God would provide what I hope for: |
| 9that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off! | 9that He would decide to crush me, to unleash His power and cut me off! |
| 10It still brings me comfort, and joy through unrelenting pain, that I have not denied the words of the Holy One. | 10It would still bring me comfort, and I would leap for joy in unrelenting pain that I have not denied the words of the Holy One. |
| 11What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient? | 11What strength do I have that I should continue to hope? What is my future, that I should be patient? |
| 12Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze? | 12Is my strength that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze? |
| 13Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me? | 13Since I cannot help myself, the hope for success has been banished from me. |
| 14A despairing man should have the kindness of his friend, even if he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. | 14A despairing man should receive loyalty from his friends, even if he abandons the fear of the Almighty. |
| 15But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow, | 15My brothers are as treacherous as a wadi, as seasonal streams that overflow |
| 16darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow, | 16and become darkened because of ice, and the snow melts into them. |
| 17but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat. | 17The wadis evaporate in warm weather; they disappear from their channels in hot weather. |
| 18Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish. | 18Caravans turn away from their routes, go up into the desert, and perish. |
| 19The caravans of Tema look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it. | 19The caravans of Tema look for these streams. The traveling merchants of Sheba hope for them. |
| 20They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment. | 20They are ashamed because they had been confident of finding water. When they arrive there, they are frustrated. |
| 21For now you are of no help; you see terror, and you are afraid. | 21So this is what you have now become to me. When you see something dreadful, you are afraid. |
| 22Have I ever said, ‘Give me something; offer me a bribe from your wealth; | 22Have I ever said: "Give me something" or "Pay a bribe for me from your wealth" |
| 23deliver me from the hand of the enemy; redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’? | 23or "Deliver me from the enemy's power" or "Redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless"? |
| 24Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred. | 24Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand what I did wrong. |
| 25How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove? | 25How painful honest words can be! But what does your rebuke prove? |
| 26Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair? | 26Do you think that you can disprove my words or that a despairing man's words are mere wind? |
| 27You would even cast lots for an orphan and barter away your friend. | 27No doubt you would cast lots for a fatherless child and negotiate a price to sell your friend. |
| 28But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face? | 28But now, please look at me; would I lie to your face? |
| 29Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake. | 29Reconsider; don't be unjust. Reconsider; my righteousness is still the issue. |
| 30Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice? | 30Is there injustice on my tongue or can my palate not taste disaster? |
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