| Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) |
New International Version (NIV) |
|
1 In response Iyov said:
|
1 Then Job replied:
|
|
2 "I have heard this stuff so often! Such sorry comforters, all of you!
|
2 "I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all!
|
|
3 Is there no end to words of wind? What provokes you to answer this way?
|
3 Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing?
|
|
4 "If I were in your place, I too could speak as you do -I could string phrases together against you and shake my head at you.
|
4 I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you.
|
|
5 I could 'strengthen' you with my mouth, with lip service I could 'ease your grief.'
|
5 But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.
|
|
6 If I speak, my own pain isn't eased; and if I don't speak, it still doesn't leave.
|
6 "Yet if I speak, my pain is not relieved; and if I refrain, it does not go away.
|
|
7 "But now he has worn me out; you have desolated this whole community of mine.
|
7 Surely, O God, you have worn me out; you have devastated my entire household.
|
|
8 Besides, you have shriveled me up; and this serves to witness against me. My being so thin rises up against me and testifies to my face.
|
8 You have bound me--and it has become a witness; my gauntness rises up and testifies against me.
|
|
9 He tears me apart in his anger; he holds a grudge against me; he gnashes on me with his teeth. "My enemies look daggers at me.
|
9 God assails me and tears me in his anger and gnashes his teeth at me; my opponent fastens on me his piercing eyes.
|
|
10 Wide-mouthed, they gape at me; with scorn, they slap my cheeks; they gather themselves together against me.
|
10 Men open their mouths to jeer at me; they strike my cheek in scorn and unite together against me.
|
|
11 "God delivers me to the perverse, throws me into the hands of the wicked.
|
11 God has turned me over to evil men and thrown me into the clutches of the wicked.
|
|
12 I was at peace, and he shook me apart. Yes, he grabbed me by the neck and dashed me to pieces. He set me up as his target
|
12 All was well with me, but he shattered me; he seized me by the neck and crushed me. He has made me his target;
|
|
13 his archers surrounded me. He slashes my innards and shows no mercy, he pours my gall on the ground.
|
13 his archers surround me. Without pity, he pierces my kidneys and spills my gall on the ground.
|
|
14 He breaks in on me again and again, attacking me like a warrior.
|
14 Again and again he bursts upon me; he rushes at me like a warrior.
|
|
15 "I sewed sackcloth together to cover my skin and laid my pride in the dust;
|
15 "I have sewed sackcloth over my skin and buried my brow in the dust.
|
|
16 my face is red from crying, and on my eyelids is a death-dark shadow.
|
16 My face is red with weeping, deep shadows ring my eyes;
|
|
17 Yet my hands are free from violence, and my prayer is pure.
|
17 yet my hands have been free of violence and my prayer is pure.
|
|
18 "Earth, don't cover my blood; don't let my cry rest [without being answered].
|
18 "O earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry never be laid to rest!
|
|
19 Even now, my witness is in heaven; my advocate is there on high.
|
19 Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high.
|
|
20 With friends like these as intercessors, my eyes pour out tears to God,
|
20 My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God;
|
|
21 that he would arbitrate between a man and God, just as one does for his fellow human being.
|
21 on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend.
|
|
22 For I have but few years left before I leave on the road of no return.
|
22 "Only a few years will pass before I go on the journey of no return.
|
| Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission. (The Complete Jewish Bible Online) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
