New King James Version

Christian Standard Bible

1Then Job answered and said:

1Then Job answered:

2“Oh, that my grief were fully weighed, And my calamity laid with it on the scales!

2If only my grief could be weighed and my devastation placed with it on the scales.

3For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea— Therefore my words have been rash.

3For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas! That is why my words are rash.

4For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; My spirit drinks in their poison; The terrors of God are arrayed against me.

4Surely the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks their poison. God's terrors are arrayed against me.

5Does the wild donkey bray when it has grass, Or does the ox low over its fodder?

5Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass or an ox low over its fodder?

6Can flavorless food be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

6Is bland food eaten without salt? Is there flavor in an egg white?

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

7I refuse to touch them; they are like contaminated food.

8“Oh, that I might have my request, That God would grant me the thing that I long for!

8If only my request would be granted and God would provide what I hope for:

9That it would please God to crush me, That He would loose His hand and cut me off!

9that he would decide to crush me, to unleash his power and cut me off!

10Then I would still have comfort; Though in anguish I would exult, He will not spare; For I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

10It would still bring me comfort, and I would leap for joy in unrelenting pain that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

11“What strength do I have, that I should hope? And what is my end, that I should prolong my life?

11What strength do I have, that I should continue to hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

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

12Is my strength that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?

13Is my help not within me? And is success driven from me?

13Since I cannot help myself, the hope for success has been banished from me.

14“To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

14A despairing man should receive loyalty from his friends, even if he abandons the fear of the Almighty.

15My brothers have dealt deceitfully like a brook, Like the streams of the brooks that pass away,

15My brothers are as treacherous as a wadi, as seasonal streams that overflow

16Which are dark because of the ice, And into which the snow vanishes.

16and become darkened because of ice, and the snow melts into them.

17When it is warm, they cease to flow; When it is hot, they vanish from their place.

17The wadis evaporate in warm weather; they disappear from their channels in hot weather.

18The paths of their way turn aside, They go nowhere and perish.

18Caravans turn away from their routes, go up into the desert, and perish.

19The caravans of Tema look, The travelers of Sheba hope for them.

19The caravans of Tema look for these streams. The traveling merchants of Sheba hope for them.

20They are disappointed because they were confident; They come there and are confused.

20They are ashamed because they had been confident of finding water. When they arrive there, they are disappointed.

21For now you are nothing, You see terror and are afraid.

21So this is what you have now become to me. When you see something dreadful, you are afraid.

22Did I ever say, ‘Bring something to me’? Or, ‘Offer a bribe for me from your wealth’?

22Have I ever said: "Give me something" or "Pay a bribe for me from your wealth"

23Or, ‘Deliver me from the enemy’s hand’? Or, ‘Redeem me from the hand of oppressors’?

23or "Deliver me from the enemy's hand" or "Redeem me from the hand of the ruthless"?

24“Teach me, and I will hold my tongue; Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

24Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand what I did wrong.

25How forceful are right words! But what does your arguing prove?

25How painful honest words can be! But what does your rebuke prove?

26Do you intend to rebuke my words, And the speeches of a desperate one, which are as wind?

26Do you think that you can disprove my words or that a despairing man's words are mere wind?

27Yes, you overwhelm the fatherless, And you undermine your friend.

27No doubt you would cast lots for a fatherless child and negotiate a price to sell your friend.

28Now therefore, be pleased to look at me; For I would never lie to your face.

28But now, please look at me; I will not lie to your face.

29Yield now, let there be no injustice! Yes, concede, my righteousness still stands!

29Reconsider; don't be unjust. Reconsider; my righteousness is still the issue.

30Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern the unsavory?

30Is there injustice on my tongue or can my palate not taste disaster?

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.