| Holman Christian Standard Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1Then Job answered: | 1In rebuttal, Job replied: |
| 2If only my grief could be weighed and my devastation placed with it in the scales. | 2"If only my grief could be weighed; or my calamity piled together on a balance scale! |
| 3For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas! That is why my words are rash. | 3It would weigh more than the sand on the seashore! Here's why I've talked so rashly: |
| 4Surely the arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit drinks their poison. God's terrors are arrayed against me. | 4"The arrows of the Almighty have pierced me; my spirit absorbs their poison; God's terrors have been arranged just for me! |
| 5Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass or an ox low over its fodder? | 5"Will the wild donkey bray from hunger if fresh grass is beside him? Will the ox low from distress if it is near its feed? |
| 6Is bland food eaten without salt? Is there flavor in an egg white? | 6Tasteless food isn't eaten without salt, is it? Is there any taste in an egg white? |
| 7I refuse to touch them; they are like contaminated food. | 7I cannot bring myself to touch them; food like this makes me sick." |
| 8If only my request would be granted and God would provide what I hope for: | 8"Who will grant my wish? I wish God would grant what I'm hoping for: |
| 9that He would decide to crush me, to unleash His power and cut me off! | 9that God would just be willing to crush me; that he would let loose and eliminate me! |
| 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. | 10At least I could still take comfort and rejoice in unceasing anguish, for I didn't conceal what the Holy One has to say. |
| 11What strength do I have that I should continue to hope? What is my future, that I should be patient? | 11"Do I have the strength to wait? And why should I be patient? |
| 12Is my strength that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze? | 12Am I as strong as a rock? Am I some kind of iron man? |
| 13Since I cannot help myself, the hope for success has been banished from me. | 13There is no help within me, is there? My resources have been driven away from me, haven't they? |
| 14A despairing man should receive loyalty from his friends, even if he abandons the fear of the Almighty. | 14The friend shows gracious love for his friend, even if he has forsaken the fear of the Almighty. |
| 15My brothers are as treacherous as a wadi, as seasonal streams that overflow | 15But my brothers have acted treacherously like a cascading river, like torrential rivers that overflow. |
| 16and become darkened because of ice, and the snow melts into them. | 16Filled with waters made cold by ice, they are where the snow goes to hide. |
| 17The wadis evaporate in warm weather; they disappear from their channels in hot weather. | 17But then the snow melts, and they disappear; when warmed, they evaporate from their stream beds. |
| 18Caravans turn away from their routes, go up into the desert, and perish. | 18Travelers divert in their route; they go into a wasteland and die. |
| 19The caravans of Tema look for these streams. The traveling merchants of Sheba hope for them. | 19Travelers from Tema search intently; caravans from Sheba hope to find them. |
| 20They are ashamed because they had been confident of finding water. When they arrive there, they are frustrated. | 20For all their expectations, they are doomed to disappointment; even though they have come and searched this far. |
| 21So this is what you have now become to me. When you see something dreadful, you are afraid. | 21"And now you're all just like them, aren't you? You see my terror and are terrified. |
| 22Have I ever said: "Give me something" or "Pay a bribe for me from your wealth" | 22When did I ever ask you for anything, say 'Offer a bribe for me from your wealth?' |
| 23or "Deliver me from the enemy's power" or "Redeem me from the grasp of the ruthless"? | 23or say 'Deliver me from my enemy's control,' or 'Redeem me from the domination of ruthless people'?" |
| 24Teach me, and I will be silent. Help me understand what I did wrong. | 24"Instruct me, and I'll remain silent. Help me understand where I've gone astray. |
| 25How painful honest words can be! But what does your rebuke prove? | 25The truth can be painful, but what has your argument proven? |
| 26Do you think that you can disprove my words or that a despairing man's words are mere wind? | 26Did you intend your words to reprove, even though the speech of a desperate person is just wind? |
| 27No doubt you would cast lots for a fatherless child and negotiate a price to sell your friend. | 27Indeed, you would gamble to buy an orphan; and barter to buy your friend! |
| 28But now, please look at me; would I lie to your face? | 28Now be willing to face me, and I won't lie to your face. |
| 29Reconsider; don't be unjust. Reconsider; my righteousness is still the issue. | 29Repent! Let there be no injustice; Change your ways! My vindication is at stake. |
| 30Is there injustice on my tongue or can my palate not taste disaster? | 30Have I said anything that's unjust? I can discern evil, can't I?" |
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