New International Version NIV
New Living Translation NLT
1 Then Job replied:
1
Then Job spoke again:
2 “If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales!
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“If my misery could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales,
3 It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas— no wonder my words have been impetuous.
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they would outweigh all the sands of the sea. That is why I spoke impulsively.
4 The arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks in their poison; God’s terrors are marshaled against me.
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For the Almighty has struck me down with his arrows. Their poison infects my spirit. God’s terrors are lined up against me.
5 Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, or an ox bellow when it has fodder?
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Don’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?
6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the sap of the mallow ?
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Don’t people complain about unsalted food? Does anyone want the tasteless white of an egg?
7 I refuse to touch it; such food makes me ill.
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My 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 what I hope for,
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“Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant my desire.
9 that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose his hand and cut off my life!
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I wish he would crush me. I wish he would reach out his hand and kill me.
10 Then I would still have this consolation— my joy in unrelenting pain— that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.
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At 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 still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient?
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But I don’t have the strength to endure. I have nothing to live for.
12 Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze?
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Do I have the strength of a stone? Is my body made of bronze?
13 Do I have any power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me?
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No, I am utterly helpless, without any chance of success.
14 “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
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“One should be kind to a fainting friend, but you accuse me without any fear of the Almighty.
15 But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams, as the streams that overflow
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My brothers, you have proved as unreliable as a seasonal brook that overflows its banks in the spring
16 when darkened by thawing ice and swollen with melting snow,
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when it is swollen with ice and melting snow.
17 but that stop flowing in the dry season, and in the heat vanish from their channels.
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But when the hot weather arrives, the water disappears. The brook vanishes in the heat.
18 Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go off into the wasteland and perish.
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The caravans turn aside to be refreshed, but there is nothing to drink, so they die.
19 The caravans of Tema look for water, the traveling merchants of Sheba look in hope.
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The caravans from Tema search for this water; the travelers from Sheba hope to find it.
20 They are distressed, because they had been confident; they arrive there, only to be disappointed.
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They count on it but are disappointed. When they arrive, their hopes are dashed.
21 Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid.
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You, too, have given no help. You have seen my calamity, and you are afraid.
22 Have I ever said, ‘Give something on my behalf, pay a ransom for me from your wealth,
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But why? Have I ever asked you for a gift? Have I begged for anything of yours for myself?
23 deliver me from the hand of the enemy, rescue me from the clutches of the ruthless’?
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Have I asked you to rescue me from my enemies, or to save me from ruthless people?
24 “Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong.
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Teach me, and I will keep quiet. Show me what I have done wrong.
25 How painful are honest words! But what do your arguments prove?
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Honest words can be painful, but what do your criticisms amount to?
26 Do you mean to correct what I say, and treat my desperate words as wind?
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Do you think your words are convincing when you disregard my cry of desperation?
27 You would even cast lots for the fatherless and barter away your friend.
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You would even send an orphan into slavery or sell a friend.
28 “But now be so kind as to look at me. Would I lie to your face?
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Look at me! Would I lie to your face?
29 Relent, do not be unjust; reconsider, for my integrity is at stake.
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Stop assuming my guilt, for I have done no wrong.
30 Is there any wickedness on my lips? Can my mouth not discern malice?
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Do you think I am lying? Don’t I know the difference between right and wrong?
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.