English Standard Version

International Standard Version

1Then Job answered and said:

1In rebuttal, Job replied:

2“Oh that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!

2"If only my grief could be weighed; or my calamity piled together on a balance scale!

3For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash.

3It would weigh more than the sand on the seashore! Here's why I've talked so rashly:

4For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

4"The arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit absorbs their poison; God's terrors have been arranged just for me!

5Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass, or the ox low over his fodder?

5"Will the wild donkey bray from hunger if fresh grass is beside him? Will the ox low from distress if it is near its feed?

6Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any taste in the juice of the mallow?

6Tasteless food isn't eaten without salt, is it? Is there any taste in an egg white?

7My appetite refuses to touch them; they are as food that is loathsome to me.

7I cannot bring myself to touch them; food like this makes me sick."

8“Oh that I might have my request, and that God would fulfill my hope,

8"Who will grant my wish? I wish God would grant what I'm hoping for:

9that it would please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!

9that God would just be willing to crush me; that he would let loose and eliminate me!

10This would be my comfort; I would even exult in pain unsparing, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

10At least I could still take comfort and rejoice in unceasing anguish, for I didn't conceal what the Holy One has to say.

11What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient?

11"Do I have the strength to wait? And why should I be patient?

12Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?

12Am I as strong as a rock? Am I some kind of iron man?

13Have I any help in me, when resource is driven from me?

13There is no help within me, is there? My resources have been driven away from me, haven't they?

14“He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

14The friend shows gracious love for his friend, even if he has forsaken the fear of the Almighty.

15My brothers are treacherous as a torrent-bed, as torrential streams that pass away,

15But my brothers have acted treacherously like a cascading river, like torrential rivers that overflow.

16which are dark with ice, and where the snow hides itself.

16Filled with waters made cold by ice, they are where the snow goes to hide.

17When they melt, they disappear; when it is hot, they vanish from their place.

17But then the snow melts, and they disappear; when warmed, they evaporate from their stream beds.

18The caravans turn aside from their course; they go up into the waste and perish.

18Travelers divert in their route; they go into a wasteland and die.

19The caravans of Tema look, the travelers of Sheba hope.

19Travelers from Tema search intently; caravans from Sheba hope to find them.

20They are ashamed because they were confident; they come there and are disappointed.

20For all their expectations, they are doomed to disappointment; even though they have come and searched this far.

21For you have now become nothing; you see my calamity and are afraid.

21"And now you're all just like them, aren't you? You see my terror and are terrified.

22Have I said, ‘Make me a gift’? Or, ‘From your wealth offer a bribe for me’?

22When did I ever ask you for anything, say 'Offer a bribe for me from your wealth?'

23Or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’? Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the ruthless’?

23or say 'Deliver me from my enemy's control,' or 'Redeem me from the domination of ruthless people'?"

24“Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray.

24"Instruct me, and I'll remain silent. Help me understand where I've gone astray.

25How forceful are upright words! But what does reproof from you reprove?

25The truth can be painful, but what has your argument proven?

26Do you think that you can reprove words, when the speech of a despairing man is wind?

26Did you intend your words to reprove, even though the speech of a desperate person is just wind?

27You would even cast lots over the fatherless, and bargain over your friend.

27Indeed, you would gamble to buy an orphan; and barter to buy your friend!

28“But now, be pleased to look at me, for I will not lie to your face.

28Now be willing to face me, and I won't lie to your face.

29Please turn; let no injustice be done. Turn now; my vindication is at stake.

29Repent! Let there be no injustice; Change your ways! My vindication is at stake.

30Is there any injustice on my tongue? Cannot my palate discern the cause of calamity?

30Have I said anything that's unjust? I can discern evil, can't I?"

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

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