English Standard Version

New Living Translation

1Then Job answered and said:

1Then Job spoke again:

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

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 in me; my spirit drinks 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 he has grass, or the ox low over his 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 that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any taste in the juice of the mallow?

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

7My appetite refuses to touch them; they are as food that is loathsome 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, and that God would fulfill my hope,

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 let loose his hand and cut me off!

9I wish he would crush me. I wish he would reach out his hand and kill 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 can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

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

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?

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

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

14“He who withholds kindness from a friend 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 are treacherous as a torrent-bed, as torrential streams that pass away,

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

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

16when it is swollen with ice and melting snow.

17When they melt, they disappear; 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 caravans turn aside from their course; they go up into the waste 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

23Or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.