New King James Version | New Living Translation |
1Then Job answered and said: | 1Then Job spoke again: |
2“Oh, that my grief were fully weighed, And my calamity laid with it on the scales! | 2“If my misery could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales, |
3For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea— Therefore my words have been rash. | 3they would outweigh all the sands of the sea. That is why I spoke impulsively. |
4For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; My spirit drinks in their poison; The terrors of God 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 the wild donkey bray when it has grass, Or does the 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? |
6Can flavorless food be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? | 6Don’t people complain about unsalted food? Does anyone want the tasteless white of an egg? |
7My soul refuses to touch them; They are as loathsome food to me. | 7My appetite disappears when I look at it; I gag at the thought of eating it! |
8“Oh, that I might have my request, That God would grant me the thing that I long for! | 8“Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant my desire. |
9That it would please God to crush me, That He would loose His hand and cut me off! | 9I wish he would crush me. I wish he would reach out his hand and kill me. |
10Then I would still have comfort; Though in anguish I would exult, He will not spare; For I have not concealed 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. |
11“What strength do I have, that I should hope? And what is my end, that I should prolong my life? | 11But I don’t have the strength to endure. I have nothing to live for. |
12Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh bronze? | 12Do I have the strength of a stone? Is my body made of bronze? |
13Is my help not within me? And is success driven from me? | 13No, I am utterly helpless, without any chance of success. |
14“To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes 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 have dealt deceitfully like a brook, Like the streams of the brooks that pass away, | 15My brothers, you have proved as unreliable as a seasonal brook that overflows its banks in the spring |
16Which are dark because of the ice, And into which the snow vanishes. | 16when it is swollen with ice and melting snow. |
17When it is warm, they cease to flow; When it is hot, they vanish from their place. | 17But when the hot weather arrives, the water disappears. The brook vanishes in the heat. |
18The paths of their way turn aside, They go nowhere and perish. | 18The caravans turn aside to be refreshed, but there is nothing to drink, so they die. |
19The caravans of Tema look, The travelers of Sheba hope for them. | 19The caravans from Tema search for this water; the travelers from Sheba hope to find it. |
20They are disappointed because they were confident; They come there and are confused. | 20They count on it but are disappointed. When they arrive, their hopes are dashed. |
21For now you are nothing, You see terror and are afraid. | 21You, too, have given no help. You have seen my calamity, and you are afraid. |
22Did I ever say, ‘Bring something to me’? Or, ‘Offer 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 oppressors’? | 23Have I asked you to rescue me from my enemies, or to save me from ruthless people? |
24“Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; Cause me to understand wherein I have erred. | 24Teach me, and I will keep quiet. Show me what I have done wrong. |
25How forceful are right words! But what does your arguing prove? | 25Honest words can be painful, but what do your criticisms amount to? |
26Do you intend to rebuke my words, And the speeches of a desperate one, which are as wind? | 26Do you think your words are convincing when you disregard my cry of desperation? |
27Yes, you overwhelm the fatherless, And you undermine your friend. | 27You would even send an orphan into slavery or sell a friend. |
28Now therefore, be pleased to look at me; For I would never lie to your face. | 28Look at me! Would I lie to your face? |
29Yield now, let there be no injustice! Yes, concede, my righteousness still stands! | 29Stop assuming my guilt, for I have done no wrong. |
30Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern the unsavory? | 30Do you think I am lying? Don’t I know the difference between right and wrong? |
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | 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. |
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