| International Standard Version | New International Version |
| 1In rebuttal, Job replied: | 1Then Job replied: |
| 2"If only my grief could be weighed; or my calamity piled together on a balance scale! | 2"If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales! |
| 3It would weigh more than the sand on the seashore! Here's why I've talked so rashly: | 3It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas-- no wonder my words have been impetuous. |
| 4"The arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit absorbs their poison; God's terrors have been arranged just for me! | 4The arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks in their poison; God's terrors are marshaled 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? | 5Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, or an ox bellow when it has fodder? |
| 6Tasteless food isn't eaten without salt, is it? Is there any taste in an egg white? | 6Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the sap of the mallow? |
| 7I cannot bring myself to touch them; food like this makes me sick." | 7I refuse to touch it; such food makes me ill. |
| 8"Who will grant my wish? I wish God would grant what I'm hoping for: | 8"Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for, |
| 9that God would just be willing to crush me; that he would let loose and eliminate me! | 9that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose his hand and cut off my life! |
| 10At least I could still take comfort and rejoice in unceasing anguish, for I didn't conceal what the Holy One has to say. | 10Then I would still have this consolation-- my joy in unrelenting pain-- that I had not denied the words of the Holy One. |
| 11"Do I have the strength to wait? And why should I be patient? | 11"What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? |
| 12Am I as strong as a rock? Am I some kind of iron man? | 12Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze? |
| 13There is no help within me, is there? My resources have been driven away from me, haven't they? | 13Do I have any power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me? |
| 14The friend shows gracious love for his friend, even if he has forsaken the fear of the Almighty. | 14"Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. |
| 15But my brothers have acted treacherously like a cascading river, like torrential rivers that overflow. | 15But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams, as the streams that overflow |
| 16Filled with waters made cold by ice, they are where the snow goes to hide. | 16when darkened by thawing ice and swollen with melting snow, |
| 17But then the snow melts, and they disappear; when warmed, they evaporate from their stream beds. | 17but that stop flowing in the dry season, and in the heat vanish from their channels. |
| 18Travelers divert in their route; they go into a wasteland and die. | 18Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go off into the wasteland and perish. |
| 19Travelers from Tema search intently; caravans from Sheba hope to find them. | 19The caravans of Tema look for water, the traveling merchants of Sheba look in hope. |
| 20For all their expectations, they are doomed to disappointment; even though they have come and searched this far. | 20They are distressed, because they had been confident; they arrive there, only to be disappointed. |
| 21"And now you're all just like them, aren't you? You see my terror and are terrified. | 21Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid. |
| 22When did I ever ask you for anything, say 'Offer a bribe for me from your wealth?' | 22Have I ever said, 'Give something on my behalf, pay a ransom for me from your wealth, |
| 23or say 'Deliver me from my enemy's control,' or 'Redeem me from the domination of ruthless people'?" | 23deliver me from the hand of the enemy, rescue me from the clutches of the ruthless'? |
| 24"Instruct me, and I'll remain silent. Help me understand where I've gone astray. | 24"Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. |
| 25The truth can be painful, but what has your argument proven? | 25How painful are honest words! But what do your arguments prove? |
| 26Did you intend your words to reprove, even though the speech of a desperate person is just wind? | 26Do you mean to correct what I say, and treat my desperate words as wind? |
| 27Indeed, you would gamble to buy an orphan; and barter to buy your friend! | 27You would even cast lots for the fatherless and barter away your friend. |
| 28Now be willing to face me, and I won't lie to your face. | 28"But now be so kind as to look at me. Would I lie to your face? |
| 29Repent! Let there be no injustice; Change your ways! My vindication is at stake. | 29Relent, do not be unjust; reconsider, for my integrity is at stake. |
| 30Have I said anything that's unjust? I can discern evil, can't I?" | 30Is there any wickedness on my lips? Can my mouth not discern malice? |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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