Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version

1Then Job answered:

1Then Job answered and said:

2If only my grief could be weighed and my devastation placed with it on the scales.

2“Oh that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!

3For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas! That is why my words are rash.

3For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash.

4Surely the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks their poison. God's terrors are arrayed against me.

4For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me.

5Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass or an ox low over its fodder?

5Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass, or the ox low over his fodder?

6Is bland food eaten without salt? Is there flavor in an egg white?

6Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any taste in the juice of the mallow?

7I refuse to touch them; they are like contaminated food.

7My appetite refuses to touch them; they are as food that is loathsome to me.

8If only my request would be granted and God would provide what I hope for:

8“Oh that I might have my request, and that God would fulfill my hope,

9that he would decide to crush me, to unleash his power and cut me off!

9that it would please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off!

10It would still bring me comfort, and I would leap for joy in unrelenting pain that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

10This would be my comfort; I would even exult in pain unsparing, for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11What strength do I have, that I should continue to hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

11What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient?

12Is my strength that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?

12Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze?

13Since I cannot help myself, the hope for success has been banished from me.

13Have I any help in me, when resource is driven from me?

14A despairing man should receive loyalty from his friends, even if he abandons the fear of the Almighty.

14“He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

15My brothers are as treacherous as a wadi, as seasonal streams that overflow

15My brothers are treacherous as a torrent-bed, as torrential streams that pass away,

16and become darkened because of ice, and the snow melts into them.

16which are dark with ice, and where the snow hides itself.

17The wadis evaporate in warm weather; they disappear from their channels in hot weather.

17When they melt, they disappear; when it is hot, they vanish from their place.

18Caravans turn away from their routes, go up into the desert, and perish.

18The caravans turn aside from their course; they go up into the waste and perish.

19The caravans of Tema look for these streams. The traveling merchants of Sheba hope for them.

19The caravans of Tema look, the travelers of Sheba hope.

20They are ashamed because they had been confident of finding water. When they arrive there, they are disappointed.

20They are ashamed because they were confident; they come there and are disappointed.

21So this is what you have now become to me. When you see something dreadful, you are afraid.

21For you have now become nothing; you see my calamity and are afraid.

22Have I ever said: "Give me something" or "Pay a bribe for me from your wealth"

22Have I said, ‘Make me a gift’? Or, ‘From your wealth offer a bribe for me’?

23or "Deliver me from the enemy's hand" or "Redeem me from the hand of the ruthless"?

23Or, ‘Deliver me from the adversary’s hand’? Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of the ruthless’?

24Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand what I did wrong.

24“Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray.

25How painful honest words can be! But what does your rebuke prove?

25How forceful are upright words! But what does reproof from you reprove?

26Do you think that you can disprove my words or that a despairing man's words are mere wind?

26Do you think that you can reprove words, when the speech of a despairing man is wind?

27No doubt you would cast lots for a fatherless child and negotiate a price to sell your friend.

27You would even cast lots over the fatherless, and bargain over your friend.

28But now, please look at me; I will not lie to your face.

28“But now, be pleased to look at me, for I will not lie to your face.

29Reconsider; don't be unjust. Reconsider; my righteousness is still the issue.

29Please turn; let no injustice be done. Turn now; my vindication is at stake.

30Is there injustice on my tongue or can my palate not taste disaster?

30Is there any injustice on my tongue? Cannot my palate discern the cause of calamity?

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.