| NET Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Then Job responded: | 1Then Job spoke again: |
| 2"Oh, if only my grief could be weighed, and my misfortune laid on the scales too! | 2“If my misery could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales, |
| 3But because it is heavier than the sand of the sea, that is why my words have been wild. | 3they would outweigh all the sands of the sea. That is why I spoke impulsively. |
| 4For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; my spirit drinks their poison; God's sudden terrors are arrayed 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. |
| 5"Does the wild donkey bray when it is near grass? Or does the ox low near its 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 food that is tasteless 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? |
| 7I have refused to touch such things; they are like loathsome food to me. | 7My appetite disappears when I look at it; I gag at the thought of eating it! |
| 8"Oh that my request would be realized, and that God would grant me what I long for! | 8“Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant my desire. |
| 9And that God would be willing to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and kill me. | 9I wish he would crush me. I wish he would reach out his hand and kill me. |
| 10Then I would yet have my comfort, then I would rejoice, in spite of pitiless pain, 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 wait? and what is my 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 like that of stones? or is my flesh made of bronze? | 12Do I have the strength of a stone? Is my body made of bronze? |
| 13Is not my power to help myself nothing, and has not every resource been driven from me? | 13No, I am utterly helpless, without any chance of success. |
| 14"To the one in despair, kindness should come from his friend even if he forsakes 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 brothers have been as treacherous as a seasonal stream, and as the riverbeds of the intermittent streams that flow away. | 15My brothers, you have proved as unreliable as a seasonal brook that overflows its banks in the spring |
| 16They are dark because of ice; snow is piled up over them. | 16when it is swollen with ice and melting snow. |
| 17When they are scorched, they dry up, when it is hot, they vanish from their place. | 17But when the hot weather arrives, the water disappears. The brook vanishes in the heat. |
| 18Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go into the wasteland and perish. | 18The caravans turn aside to be refreshed, but there is nothing to drink, so they die. |
| 19The caravans of Tema looked intently for these streams; the traveling merchants of Sheba hoped for them. | 19The caravans from Tema search for this water; the travelers from Sheba hope to find it. |
| 20They were distressed, because each one had been so confident; they arrived there, but were disappointed. | 20They count on it but are disappointed. When they arrive, their hopes are dashed. |
| 21For now you have become like these streams that are no help; you see a terror, and are afraid. | 21You, too, have given no help. You have seen my calamity, and you are afraid. |
| 22"Have I ever said, 'Give me something, and from your fortune make gifts in my favor'? | 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 power, and from the hand of tyrants ransom me'? | 23Have I asked you to rescue me from my enemies, or to save me from ruthless people? |
| 24"Teach me and I, for my part, will be silent; explain to me how I have been mistaken. | 24Teach me, and I will keep quiet. Show me what I have done wrong. |
| 25How painful are honest words! But what does your reproof prove? | 25Honest words can be painful, but what do your criticisms amount to? |
| 26Do you intend to criticize mere words, and treat the words of a despairing man as wind? | 26Do you think your words are convincing when you disregard my cry of desperation? |
| 27Yes, you would gamble for the fatherless, and auction off your friend. | 27You would even send an orphan into slavery or sell a friend. |
| 28"Now then, be good enough to look at me; and I will not lie to your face! | 28Look at me! Would I lie to your face? |
| 29Relent, let there be no falsehood; reconsider, for my righteousness is intact! | 29Stop assuming my guilt, for I have done no wrong. |
| 30Is there any falsehood on my lips? Can my mouth not discern evil things? | 30Do you think I am lying? Don’t I know the difference between right and wrong? |
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