| Berean Study Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1Then Job replied: | 1Then Job spoke again: |
| 2“If only my grief could be weighed and placed with my calamity on the scales. | 2“If my misery could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales, |
| 3For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas—no wonder my words have been rash. | 3they would outweigh all the sands of the sea. That is why I spoke impulsively. |
| 4For the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks in their poison; the terrors of God 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. |
| 5Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass, or an ox low over 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? |
| 6Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg? | 6Don’t people complain about unsalted food? Does anyone want the tasteless white of an egg? |
| 7My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me. | 7My appetite disappears when I look at it; I gag at the thought of eating it! |
| 8If only my request were granted and God would fulfill my hope: | 8“Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant my desire. |
| 9that God would be willing to crush me, to unleash His hand and cut me off! | 9I wish he would crush me. I wish he would reach out his hand and kill me. |
| 10It still brings me comfort, and joy through unrelenting pain, that I have not denied 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 strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient? | 11But I don’t have the strength to endure. I have nothing to live for. |
| 12Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze? | 12Do I have the strength of a stone? Is my body made of bronze? |
| 13Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me? | 13No, I am utterly helpless, without any chance of success. |
| 14A despairing man should have the kindness of 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. |
| 15But my brothers are as faithless as wadis, as seasonal streams that overflow, | 15My brothers, you have proved as unreliable as a seasonal brook that overflows its banks in the spring |
| 16darkened because of the ice and the inflow of melting snow, | 16when it is swollen with ice and melting snow. |
| 17but ceasing in the dry season and vanishing from their channels in the heat. | 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 look for water; the travelers of Sheba hope to find it. | 19The caravans from Tema search for this water; the travelers from Sheba hope to find it. |
| 20They are confounded because they had hoped; their arrival brings disappointment. | 20They count on it but are disappointed. When they arrive, their hopes are dashed. |
| 21For now you are of no help; you see terror, and you are afraid. | 21You, too, have given no help. You have seen my calamity, and you are afraid. |
| 22Have I ever said, ‘Give me something; offer me a bribe from your wealth; | 22But why? Have I ever asked you for a gift? Have I begged for anything of yours for myself? |
| 23deliver me from the hand of the enemy; redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless’? | 23Have I asked you to rescue me from my enemies, or to save me from ruthless people? |
| 24Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand how I have erred. | 24Teach me, and I will keep quiet. Show me what I have done wrong. |
| 25How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove? | 25Honest words can be painful, but what do your criticisms amount to? |
| 26Do you intend to correct my words, and treat as wind my cry of despair? | 26Do you think your words are convincing when you disregard my cry of desperation? |
| 27You would even cast lots for an orphan and barter away your friend. | 27You would even send an orphan into slavery or sell a friend. |
| 28But now, please look at me. Would I lie to your face? | 28Look at me! Would I lie to your face? |
| 29Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake. | 29Stop assuming my guilt, for I have done no wrong. |
| 30Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice? | 30Do you think I am lying? Don’t I know the difference between right and wrong? |
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