Christian Standard Bible

New Living Translation

1Then Job answered:

1Then Job spoke again:

2If only my grief could be weighed and my devastation placed with it on the scales.

2“If my misery could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales,

3For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas! That is why my words are rash.

3they would outweigh all the sands of the sea. That is why I spoke impulsively.

4Surely the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks their poison. God's terrors are arrayed against me.

4For the Almighty has struck me down with his arrows. Their poison infects my spirit. God’s terrors are lined up against me.

5Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass or an ox low over its fodder?

5Don’t I have a right to complain? Don’t wild donkeys bray when they find no grass, and oxen bellow when they have no food?

6Is bland food eaten without salt? Is there flavor in an egg white?

6Don’t people complain about unsalted food? Does anyone want the tasteless white of an egg?

7I refuse to touch them; they are like contaminated food.

7My appetite disappears when I look at it; I gag at the thought of eating it!

8If only my request would be granted and God would provide what I hope for:

8“Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant my desire.

9that he would decide to crush me, to unleash his power and cut me off!

9I wish he would crush me. I wish he would reach out his hand and kill me.

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.

10At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11What strength do I have, that I should continue to hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

11But I don’t have the strength to endure. I have nothing to live for.

12Is my strength that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?

12Do I have the strength of a stone? Is my body made of bronze?

13Since I cannot help myself, the hope for success has been banished from me.

13No, I am utterly helpless, without any chance of success.

14A despairing man should receive loyalty from his friends, even if he abandons the fear of the Almighty.

14“One should be kind to a fainting friend, but you accuse me without any fear of the Almighty.

15My brothers are as treacherous as a wadi, as seasonal streams that overflow

15My brothers, you have proved as unreliable as a seasonal brook that overflows its banks in the spring

16and become darkened because of ice, and the snow melts into them.

16when it is swollen with ice and melting snow.

17The wadis evaporate in warm weather; they disappear from their channels in hot weather.

17But when the hot weather arrives, the water disappears. The brook vanishes in the heat.

18Caravans turn away from their routes, go up into the desert, and perish.

18The caravans turn aside to be refreshed, but there is nothing to drink, so they die.

19The caravans of Tema look for these streams. The traveling merchants of Sheba hope for them.

19The caravans from Tema search for this water; the travelers from Sheba hope to find it.

20They are ashamed because they had been confident of finding water. When they arrive there, they are disappointed.

20They count on it but are disappointed. When they arrive, their hopes are dashed.

21So this is what you have now become to me. When you see something dreadful, you are afraid.

21You, too, have given no help. You have seen my calamity, and you are afraid.

22Have I ever said: "Give me something" or "Pay a bribe for me from your wealth"

22But why? Have I ever asked you for a gift? Have I begged for anything of yours for myself?

23or "Deliver me from the enemy's hand" or "Redeem me from the hand of the ruthless"?

23Have I asked you to rescue me from my enemies, or to save me from ruthless people?

24Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand what I did wrong.

24Teach me, and I will keep quiet. Show me what I have done wrong.

25How painful honest words can be! But what does your rebuke prove?

25Honest words can be painful, but what do your criticisms amount to?

26Do you think that you can disprove my words or that a despairing man's words are mere wind?

26Do you think your words are convincing when you disregard my cry of desperation?

27No doubt you would cast lots for a fatherless child and negotiate a price to sell your friend.

27You would even send an orphan into slavery or sell a friend.

28But now, please look at me; I will not lie to your face.

28Look at me! Would I lie to your face?

29Reconsider; don't be unjust. Reconsider; my righteousness is still the issue.

29Stop assuming my guilt, for I have done no wrong.

30Is there injustice on my tongue or can my palate not taste disaster?

30Do you think I am lying? Don’t I know the difference between right and wrong?

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.