| New International Version | New International Version |
| 1Then Job replied: | 1Then Job replied: |
| 2"If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales! | 2"If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales! |
| 3It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas-- no wonder my words have been impetuous. | 3It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas-- no wonder my words have been impetuous. |
| 4The arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks in their poison; God's terrors are marshaled against me. | 4The arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks in their poison; God's terrors are marshaled against me. |
| 5Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, or an ox bellow when it has fodder? | 5Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, or an ox bellow when it has fodder? |
| 6Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the sap of the mallow? | 6Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the sap of the mallow? |
| 7I refuse to touch it; such food makes me ill. | 7I refuse to touch it; such food makes me ill. |
| 8"Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for, | 8"Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for, |
| 9that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose his hand and cut off my life! | 9that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose his hand and cut off my life! |
| 10Then I would still have this consolation-- my joy in unrelenting pain-- that I had not denied the words of the Holy One. | 10Then I would still have this consolation-- my joy in unrelenting pain-- that I had not denied the words of the Holy One. |
| 11"What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? | 11"What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? |
| 12Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze? | 12Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze? |
| 13Do I have any power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me? | 13Do I have any power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me? |
| 14"Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. | 14"Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. |
| 15But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams, as the streams that overflow | 15But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams, as the streams that overflow |
| 16when darkened by thawing ice and swollen with melting snow, | 16when darkened by thawing ice and swollen with melting snow, |
| 17but that stop flowing in the dry season, and in the heat vanish from their channels. | 17but that stop flowing in the dry season, and in the heat vanish from their channels. |
| 18Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go off into the wasteland and perish. | 18Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go off into the wasteland and perish. |
| 19The caravans of Tema look for water, the traveling merchants of Sheba look in hope. | 19The caravans of Tema look for water, the traveling merchants of Sheba look in hope. |
| 20They are distressed, because they had been confident; they arrive there, only to be disappointed. | 20They are distressed, because they had been confident; they arrive there, only to be disappointed. |
| 21Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid. | 21Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid. |
| 22Have I ever said, 'Give something on my behalf, pay a ransom for me from your wealth, | 22Have I ever said, 'Give something on my behalf, pay a ransom for me from your wealth, |
| 23deliver me from the hand of the enemy, rescue me from the clutches of the ruthless'? | 23deliver me from the hand of the enemy, rescue me from the clutches of the ruthless'? |
| 24"Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. | 24"Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. |
| 25How painful are honest words! But what do your arguments prove? | 25How painful are honest words! But what do your arguments prove? |
| 26Do you mean to correct what I say, and treat my desperate words as wind? | 26Do you mean to correct what I say, and treat my desperate words as wind? |
| 27You would even cast lots for the fatherless and barter away your friend. | 27You would even cast lots for the fatherless and barter away your friend. |
| 28"But now be so kind as to look at me. Would I lie to your face? | 28"But now be so kind as to look at me. Would I lie to your face? |
| 29Relent, do not be unjust; reconsider, for my integrity is at stake. | 29Relent, do not be unjust; reconsider, for my integrity is at stake. |
| 30Is there any wickedness on my lips? Can my mouth not discern malice? | 30Is there any wickedness on my lips? Can my mouth not discern malice? |
| 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. | 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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