| NET Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1Then Job responded: | 1In rebuttal, Job replied: |
| 2"Oh, if only my grief could be weighed, and my misfortune laid on the scales too! | 2"If only my grief could be weighed; or my calamity piled together on a balance scale! |
| 3But because it is heavier than the sand of the sea, that is why my words have been wild. | 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 within me; my spirit drinks their poison; God's sudden terrors 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! |
| 5"Does the wild donkey bray when it is near grass? Or does the ox low near its 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 food that is tasteless be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg? | 6Tasteless food isn't eaten without salt, is it? Is there any taste in an egg white? |
| 7I have refused to touch such things; they are like loathsome food to me. | 7I cannot bring myself to touch them; food like this makes me sick." |
| 8"Oh that my request would be realized, and that God would grant me what I long for! | 8"Who will grant my wish? I wish God would grant what I'm hoping for: |
| 9And that God would be willing to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and kill me. | 9that God would just be willing to crush me; that he would let loose and eliminate me! |
| 10Then I would yet have my comfort, then I would rejoice, in spite of pitiless pain, for I have not concealed 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 prolong my life? | 11"Do I have the strength to wait? And why should I be patient? |
| 12Is my strength like that of stones? or is my flesh made of bronze? | 12Am I as strong as a rock? Am I some kind of iron man? |
| 13Is not my power to help myself nothing, and has not every resource been driven from me? | 13There is no help within me, is there? My resources have been driven away from me, haven't they? |
| 14"To the one in despair, kindness should come from his friend even if he 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 have been as treacherous as a seasonal stream, and as the riverbeds of the intermittent streams that flow away. | 15But my brothers have acted treacherously like a cascading river, like torrential rivers that overflow. |
| 16They are dark because of ice; snow is piled up over them. | 16Filled with waters made cold by ice, they are where the snow goes to hide. |
| 17When they are scorched, they dry up, 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. |
| 18Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish. | 18Travelers divert in their route; they go into a wasteland and die. |
| 19The caravans of Tema looked intently for these streams; the traveling merchants of Sheba hoped for them. | 19Travelers from Tema search intently; caravans from Sheba hope to find them. |
| 20They were distressed, because each one had been so confident; they arrived there, but were disappointed. | 20For all their expectations, they are doomed to disappointment; even though they have come and searched this far. |
| 21For now you have become like these streams that are no help; you see a terror, and are afraid. | 21"And now you're all just like them, aren't you? You see my terror and are terrified. |
| 22"Have I ever said, 'Give me something, and from your fortune make gifts in my favor'? | 22When did I ever ask you for anything, say 'Offer a bribe for me from your wealth?' |
| 23Or 'Deliver me from the enemy's power, and from the hand of tyrants ransom me'? | 23or say 'Deliver me from my enemy's control,' or 'Redeem me from the domination of ruthless people'?" |
| 24"Teach me and I, for my part, will be silent; explain to me how I have been mistaken. | 24"Instruct me, and I'll remain silent. Help me understand where I've gone astray. |
| 25How painful are honest words! But what does your reproof prove? | 25The truth can be painful, but what has your argument proven? |
| 26Do you intend to criticize mere words, and treat the words of a despairing man as wind? | 26Did you intend your words to reprove, even though the speech of a desperate person is just wind? |
| 27Yes, you would gamble for the fatherless, and auction off your friend. | 27Indeed, you would gamble to buy an orphan; and barter to buy your friend! |
| 28"Now then, be good enough to look at me; and I will not lie to your face! | 28Now be willing to face me, and I won't lie to your face. |
| 29Relent, let there be no falsehood; reconsider, for my righteousness is intact! | 29Repent! Let there be no injustice; Change your ways! My vindication is at stake. |
| 30Is there any falsehood on my lips? Can my mouth not discern evil things? | 30Have I said anything that's unjust? I can discern evil, can't I?" |
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