| New International Version | New Living Translation |
| 1"My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it. | 1“Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand. |
| 2What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you. | 2I know as much as you do. You are no better than I am. |
| 3But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God. | 3As for me, I would speak directly to the Almighty. I want to argue my case with God himself. |
| 4You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you! | 4As for you, you smear me with lies. As physicians, you are worthless quacks. |
| 5If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom. | 5If only you could be silent! That’s the wisest thing you could do. |
| 6Hear now my argument; listen to the pleas of my lips. | 6Listen to my charge; pay attention to my arguments. |
| 7Will you speak wickedly on God's behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him? | 7“Are you defending God with lies? Do you make your dishonest arguments for his sake? |
| 8Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God? | 8Will you slant your testimony in his favor? Will you argue God’s case for him? |
| 9Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal? | 9What will happen when he finds out what you are doing? Can you fool him as easily as you fool people? |
| 10He would surely call you to account if you secretly showed partiality. | 10No, you will be in trouble with him if you secretly slant your testimony in his favor. |
| 11Would not his splendor terrify you? Would not the dread of him fall on you? | 11Doesn’t his majesty terrify you? Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you? |
| 12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay. | 12Your platitudes are as valuable as ashes. Your defense is as fragile as a clay pot. |
| 13"Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may. | 13“Be silent now and leave me alone. Let me speak, and I will face the consequences. |
| 14Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands? | 14Why should I put myself in mortal danger and take my life in my own hands? |
| 15Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. | 15God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him. |
| 16Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him! | 16But this is what will save me—I am not godless. If I were, I could not stand before him. |
| 17Listen carefully to what I say; let my words ring in your ears. | 17“Listen closely to what I am about to say. Hear me out. |
| 18Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated. | 18I have prepared my case; I will be proved innocent. |
| 19Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die. | 19Who can argue with me over this? And if you prove me wrong, I will remain silent and die. Job Asks How He Has Sinned |
| 20"Only grant me these two things, God, and then I will not hide from you: | 20“O God, grant me these two things, and then I will be able to face you. |
| 21Withdraw your hand far from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors. | 21Remove your heavy hand from me, and don’t terrify me with your awesome presence. |
| 22Then summon me and I will answer, or let me speak, and you reply to me. | 22Now summon me, and I will answer! Or let me speak to you, and you reply. |
| 23How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my offense and my sin. | 23Tell me, what have I done wrong? Show me my rebellion and my sin. |
| 24Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy? | 24Why do you turn away from me? Why do you treat me as your enemy? |
| 25Will you torment a windblown leaf? Will you chase after dry chaff? | 25Would you terrify a leaf blown by the wind? Would you chase dry straw? |
| 26For you write down bitter things against me and make me reap the sins of my youth. | 26“You write bitter accusations against me and bring up all the sins of my youth. |
| 27You fasten my feet in shackles; you keep close watch on all my paths by putting marks on the soles of my feet. | 27You put my feet in stocks. You examine all my paths. You trace all my footprints. |
| 28"So man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths. | 28I waste away like rotting wood, like a moth-eaten coat. |
| New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | 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. |
|
