International Standard Version

New American Standard Bible 1995

1In rebuttal, Job replied:

1Then Job answered,

2"If only my grief could be weighed; or my calamity piled together on a balance scale!

2"Oh that my grief were actually weighed And laid in the balances together with my calamity!

3It would weigh more than the sand on the seashore! Here's why I've talked so rashly:

3"For then it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; Therefore my words have been rash.

4"The arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit absorbs their poison; God's terrors have been arranged just for me!

4"For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, Their poison my spirit drinks; The terrors of God are arrayed against me.

5"Will the wild donkey bray from hunger if fresh grass is beside him? Will the ox low from distress if it is near its feed?

5"Does the wild donkey bray over his grass, Or does the ox low over his fodder?

6Tasteless food isn't eaten without salt, is it? Is there any taste in an egg white?

6"Can something tasteless be eaten without salt, Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

7I cannot bring myself to touch them; food like this makes me sick."

7"My soul refuses to touch them; They are like loathsome food to me.

8"Who will grant my wish? I wish God would grant what I'm hoping for:

8"Oh that my request might come to pass, And that God would grant my longing!

9that God would just be willing to crush me; that he would let loose and eliminate me!

9"Would that God were willing to crush me, That He would loose His hand and cut me off!

10At least I could still take comfort and rejoice in unceasing anguish, for I didn't conceal what the Holy One has to say.

10"But it is still my consolation, And I rejoice in unsparing pain, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11"Do I have the strength to wait? And why should I be patient?

11"What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should endure?

12Am I as strong as a rock? Am I some kind of iron man?

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

13There is no help within me, is there? My resources have been driven away from me, haven't they?

13"Is it that my help is not within me, And that deliverance is driven from me?

14The friend shows gracious love for his friend, even if he has forsaken the fear of the Almighty.

14"For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; So that he does not forsake the fear of the Almighty.

15But my brothers have acted treacherously like a cascading river, like torrential rivers that overflow.

15"My brothers have acted deceitfully like a wadi, Like the torrents of wadis which vanish,

16Filled with waters made cold by ice, they are where the snow goes to hide.

16Which are turbid because of ice And into which the snow melts.

17But then the snow melts, and they disappear; when warmed, they evaporate from their stream beds.

17"When they become waterless, they are silent, When it is hot, they vanish from their place.

18Travelers divert in their route; they go into a wasteland and die.

18"The paths of their course wind along, They go up into nothing and perish.

19Travelers from Tema search intently; caravans from Sheba hope to find them.

19"The caravans of Tema looked, The travelers of Sheba hoped for them.

20For all their expectations, they are doomed to disappointment; even though they have come and searched this far.

20"They were disappointed for they had trusted, They came there and were confounded.

21"And now you're all just like them, aren't you? You see my terror and are terrified.

21"Indeed, you have now become such, You see a terror and are afraid.

22When did I ever ask you for anything, say 'Offer a bribe for me from your wealth?'

22"Have I said, 'Give me something,' Or, 'Offer a bribe for me from your wealth,'

23or say 'Deliver me from my enemy's control,' or 'Redeem me from the domination of ruthless people'?"

23Or, 'Deliver me from the hand of the adversary,' Or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the tyrants '?

24"Instruct me, and I'll remain silent. Help me understand where I've gone astray.

24"Teach me, and I will be silent; And show me how I have erred.

25The truth can be painful, but what has your argument proven?

25"How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?

26Did you intend your words to reprove, even though the speech of a desperate person is just wind?

26"Do you intend to reprove my words, When the words of one in despair belong to the wind?

27Indeed, you would gamble to buy an orphan; and barter to buy your friend!

27"You would even cast lots for the orphans And barter over your friend.

28Now be willing to face me, and I won't lie to your face.

28"Now please look at me, And see if I lie to your face.

29Repent! Let there be no injustice; Change your ways! My vindication is at stake.

29"Desist now, let there be no injustice; Even desist, my righteousness is yet in it.

30Have I said anything that's unjust? I can discern evil, can't I?"

30"Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my palate discern calamities?

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org