New Living Translation | New Living Translation |
1Then Job spoke again: | 1Then Job spoke again: |
2“Yes, I know all this is true in principle. But how can a person be declared innocent in God’s sight? | 2“Yes, I know all this is true in principle. But how can a person be declared innocent in God’s sight? |
3If someone wanted to take God to court, would it be possible to answer him even once in a thousand times? | 3If someone wanted to take God to court, would it be possible to answer him even once in a thousand times? |
4For God is so wise and so mighty. Who has ever challenged him successfully? | 4For God is so wise and so mighty. Who has ever challenged him successfully? |
5“Without warning, he moves the mountains, overturning them in his anger. | 5“Without warning, he moves the mountains, overturning them in his anger. |
6He shakes the earth from its place, and its foundations tremble. | 6He shakes the earth from its place, and its foundations tremble. |
7If he commands it, the sun won’t rise and the stars won’t shine. | 7If he commands it, the sun won’t rise and the stars won’t shine. |
8He alone has spread out the heavens and marches on the waves of the sea. | 8He alone has spread out the heavens and marches on the waves of the sea. |
9He made all the stars—the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the southern sky. | 9He made all the stars—the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the southern sky. |
10He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles. | 10He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles. |
11“Yet when he comes near, I cannot see him. When he moves by, I do not see him go. | 11“Yet when he comes near, I cannot see him. When he moves by, I do not see him go. |
12If he snatches someone in death, who can stop him? Who dares to ask, ‘What are you doing?’ | 12If he snatches someone in death, who can stop him? Who dares to ask, ‘What are you doing?’ |
13And God does not restrain his anger. Even the monsters of the sea are crushed beneath his feet. | 13And God does not restrain his anger. Even the monsters of the sea are crushed beneath his feet. |
14“So who am I, that I should try to answer God or even reason with him? | 14“So who am I, that I should try to answer God or even reason with him? |
15Even if I were right, I would have no defense. I could only plead for mercy. | 15Even if I were right, I would have no defense. I could only plead for mercy. |
16And even if I summoned him and he responded, I’m not sure he would listen to me. | 16And even if I summoned him and he responded, I’m not sure he would listen to me. |
17For he attacks me with a storm and repeatedly wounds me without cause. | 17For he attacks me with a storm and repeatedly wounds me without cause. |
18He will not let me catch my breath, but fills me instead with bitter sorrows. | 18He will not let me catch my breath, but fills me instead with bitter sorrows. |
19If it’s a question of strength, he’s the strong one. If it’s a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court? | 19If it’s a question of strength, he’s the strong one. If it’s a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court? |
20Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty. Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked. | 20Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty. Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked. |
21“I am innocent, but it makes no difference to me— I despise my life. | 21“I am innocent, but it makes no difference to me— I despise my life. |
22Innocent or wicked, it is all the same to God. That’s why I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’ | 22Innocent or wicked, it is all the same to God. That’s why I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’ |
23When a plague sweeps through, he laughs at the death of the innocent. | 23When a plague sweeps through, he laughs at the death of the innocent. |
24The whole earth is in the hands of the wicked, and God blinds the eyes of the judges. If he’s not the one who does it, who is? | 24The whole earth is in the hands of the wicked, and God blinds the eyes of the judges. If he’s not the one who does it, who is? |
25“My life passes more swiftly than a runner. It flees away without a glimpse of happiness. | 25“My life passes more swiftly than a runner. It flees away without a glimpse of happiness. |
26It disappears like a swift papyrus boat, like an eagle swooping down on its prey. | 26It disappears like a swift papyrus boat, like an eagle swooping down on its prey. |
27If I decided to forget my complaints, to put away my sad face and be cheerful, | 27If I decided to forget my complaints, to put away my sad face and be cheerful, |
28I would still dread all the pain, for I know you will not find me innocent, O God. | 28I would still dread all the pain, for I know you will not find me innocent, O God. |
29Whatever happens, I will be found guilty. So what’s the use of trying? | 29Whatever happens, I will be found guilty. So what’s the use of trying? |
30Even if I were to wash myself with soap and clean my hands with lye, | 30Even if I were to wash myself with soap and clean my hands with lye, |
31you would plunge me into a muddy ditch, and my own filthy clothing would hate me. | 31you would plunge me into a muddy ditch, and my own filthy clothing would hate me. |
32“God is not a mortal like me, so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial. | 32“God is not a mortal like me, so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial. |
33If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together. | 33If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together. |
34The mediator could make God stop beating me, and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment. | 34The mediator could make God stop beating me, and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment. |
35Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength. | 35Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength. |
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. | 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. |
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