GOD'S WORD Translation GW
New King James Version NKJV
1 Then Job replied [to his friends],
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Then Job answered and said:
2 "If only my grief could be weighed, if only my misery could be laid on the scales with it,
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"Oh, that my grief were fully weighed, And my calamity laid with it on the scales!
3 then they would be heavier than the sand of the seas. I spoke carelessly
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For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea-- Therefore my words have been rash.
4 because the arrows of the Almighty [have found their target] in me, and my spirit is drinking their poison. God's terrors line up in battle against me.
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For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; My spirit drinks in their poison; The terrors of God are arrayed against me.
5 "Does a wild donkey bray when it's [eating] grass, or does an ox make a sound over its hay?
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Does the wild donkey bray when it has grass, Or does the ox low over its fodder?
6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there any flavor in the white of an egg?
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Can flavorless food be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 I refuse to touch such things. They are disgusting to me.
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My soul refuses to touch them; They are as loathsome food to me.
8 "How I wish that my prayer would be answered-- that God would give me what I'm hoping for,
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"Oh, that I might have my request, That God would grant me the thing that I long for!
9 that God would [finally] be willing to crush me, that he would reach out to cut me off.
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That it would please God to crush me, That He would loose His hand and cut me off!
10 Then I would still have comfort. I would be happy despite my endless pain, because I have not rejected the words of the Holy One.
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Then 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.
11 What strength do I have [left] that I can go on hoping? What goal do I have that I would want to prolong my life?
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"What strength do I have, that I should hope? And what is my end, that I should prolong my life?
12 Do I have the strength of rocks? Does my body have the strength of bronze?
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Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh bronze?
13 Am I not completely helpless? Haven't my skills been taken away from me?
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Is my help not within me? And is success driven from me?
14 "A friend should treat a troubled person kindly, even if he abandons the fear of the Almighty.
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"To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brothers have been as deceptive as seasonal rivers, like the seasonal riverbeds that flood.
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My brothers have dealt deceitfully like a brook, Like the streams of the brooks that pass away,
16 They are dark with ice. They are hidden by snow.
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Which are dark because of the ice, And into which the snow vanishes.
17 They vanish during a scorching summer. In the heat their riverbeds dry up.
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When it is warm, they cease to flow; When it is hot, they vanish from their place.
18 They change their course. They go into a wasteland and disappear.
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The paths of their way turn aside, They go nowhere and perish.
19 Caravans from Tema look for them. Travelers from Sheba search for them.
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The caravans of Tema look, The travelers of Sheba hope for them.
20 They are ashamed because they relied on the streams. Arriving there, they are disappointed.
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They are disappointed because they were confident; They come there and are confused.
21 "So you are as unreliable to me [as they are]. You see something terrifying, and you are afraid.
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For now you are nothing, You see terror and are afraid.
22 Did I ever say, 'Give me a gift,' or 'Offer me a bribe from your wealth,'
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Did I ever say, 'Bring something to me'? Or, 'Offer a bribe for me from your wealth'?
23 or 'Rescue me from an enemy,' or 'Ransom me from a tyrant'?
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Or, 'Deliver me from the enemy's hand'? Or, 'Redeem me from the hand of oppressors'?
24 Teach me, and I'll be silent. Show me where I've been wrong.
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"Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How painful an honest discussion can be! In correcting me, you correct yourselves!
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How forceful are right words! But what does your arguing prove?
26 Do you think my words need correction? Do you think they're what a desperate person says to the wind?
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Do you intend to rebuke my words, And the speeches of a desperate one, which are as wind?
27 Would you also throw dice for an orphan? Would you buy and sell your friend?
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Yes, you overwhelm the fatherless, And you undermine your friend.
28 "But now, if you're willing, look at me. I won't lie to your face.
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Now therefore, be pleased to look at me; For I would never lie to your face.
29 Please change your mind. Don't permit any injustice. Change your mind because I am still right about this!
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Yield now, let there be no injustice! Yes, concede, my righteousness still stands!
30 Is there injustice on my tongue, or is my mouth unable to tell the difference between right and wrong?
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Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern the unsavory?