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.