King James Bible

New Living Translation

1But Job answered and said,

1Then Job spoke again:

2Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!

2“If my misery could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales,

3For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.

3they would outweigh all the sands of the sea. That is why I spoke impulsively.

4For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

4For the Almighty has struck me down with his arrows. Their poison infects my spirit. God’s terrors are lined up against me.

5Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?

5Don’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?

6Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

6Don’t people complain about unsalted food? Does anyone want the tasteless white of an egg?

7The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.

7My appetite disappears when I look at it; I gag at the thought of eating it!

8Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

8“Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant my desire.

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

9I wish he would crush me. I wish he would reach out his hand and kill me.

10Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

10At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?

11But I don’t have the strength to endure. I have nothing to live for.

12Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?

12Do I have the strength of a stone? Is my body made of bronze?

13Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?

13No, I am utterly helpless, without any chance of success.

14To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

14“One should be kind to a fainting friend, but you accuse me without any fear of the Almighty.

15My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;

15My brothers, you have proved as unreliable as a seasonal brook that overflows its banks in the spring

16Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:

16when it is swollen with ice and melting snow.

17What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

17But when the hot weather arrives, the water disappears. The brook vanishes in the heat.

18The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.

18The caravans turn aside to be refreshed, but there is nothing to drink, so they die.

19The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

19The caravans from Tema search for this water; the travelers from Sheba hope to find it.

20They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.

20They count on it but are disappointed. When they arrive, their hopes are dashed.

21For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.

21You, too, have given no help. You have seen my calamity, and you are afraid.

22Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

22But why? Have I ever asked you for a gift? Have I begged for anything of yours for myself?

23Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?

23Have I asked you to rescue me from my enemies, or to save me from ruthless people?

24Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

24Teach me, and I will keep quiet. Show me what I have done wrong.

25How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

25Honest words can be painful, but what do your criticisms amount to?

26Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?

26Do you think your words are convincing when you disregard my cry of desperation?

27Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.

27You would even send an orphan into slavery or sell a friend.

28Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.

28Look at me! Would I lie to your face?

29Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.

29Stop assuming my guilt, for I have done no wrong.

30Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?

30Do you think I am lying? Don’t I know the difference between right and wrong?

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.