Job.4.1

Then Eliphaz from Teman spoke up:

Job.4.1

Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

Job.4.1

Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said:

Job.4.1

Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied to Job:

Job.4.2

"Would you mind if I said something to you? Under the circumstances it's hard to keep quiet.

Job.4.2

"If someone ventures a word with you, will you be impatient? But who can keep from speaking?

Job.4.2

"If one attempts a word with you, will you become weary? But who can withhold himself from speaking?

Job.4.2

"Will you be patient and let me say a word? For who could keep from speaking out?

Job.4.3

You yourself have done this plenty of times, spoken words that clarify, encouraged those who were about to quit.

Job.4.3

Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands.

Job.4.3

Surely you have instructed many, And you have strengthened weak hands.

Job.4.3

"In the past you have encouraged many a troubled soul to trust in God; you have supported those who were weak.

Job.4.4

Your words have put stumbling people on their feet, put fresh hope in people about to collapse.

Job.4.4

Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.

Job.4.4

Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, And you have strengthened the feeble knees;

Job.4.4

Your words have strengthened the fallen; you steadied those who wavered.

Job.4.5

But now you're the one in trouble--you're hurting! You've been hit hard and you're reeling from the blow.

Job.4.5

But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged; it strikes you, and you are dismayed.

Job.4.5

But now it comes upon you, and you are weary; It touches you, and you are troubled.

Job.4.5

But now when trouble strikes, you faint and are broken.

Job.4.6

But shouldn't your devout life give you confidence now? Shouldn't your exemplary life give you hope?

Job.4.6

Should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope?

Job.4.6

Is not your reverence your confidence? And the integrity of your ways your hope?

Job.4.6

Does your reverence for God give you no confidence? Shouldn't you believe that God will care for those who are upright?

Job.4.7

"Think! Has a truly innocent person ever ended up on the scrap heap? Do genuinely upright people ever lose out in the end?

Job.4.7

"Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed?

Job.4.7

"Remember now, who ever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright ever cut off?

Job.4.7

"Stop and think! Does the innocent person perish? When has the upright person been destroyed?

Job.4.8

It's my observation that those who plow evil and sow trouble reap evil and trouble.

Job.4.8

As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.

Job.4.8

Even as I have seen, Those who plow iniquity And sow trouble reap the same.

Job.4.8

My experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same.

Job.4.9

One breath from God and they fall apart, one blast of his anger and there's nothing left of them.

Job.4.9

At the breath of God they are destroyed; at the blast of his anger they perish.

Job.4.9

By the blast of God they perish, And by the breath of His anger they are consumed.

Job.4.9

They perish by a breath from God. They vanish in a blast of his anger.

Job.4.10

The mighty lion, king of the beasts, roars mightily, but when he's toothless he's useless--

Job.4.10

The lions may roar and growl, yet the teeth of the great lions are broken.

Job.4.10

The roaring of the lion, The voice of the fierce lion, And the teeth of the young lions are broken.

Job.4.10

Though they are fierce young lions, they will all be broken and destroyed.

Job.4.11

No teeth, no prey--and the cubs wander off to fend for themselves.

Job.4.11

The lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.

Job.4.11

The old lion perishes for lack of prey, And the cubs of the lioness are scattered.

Job.4.11

The fierce lion will starve, and the cubs of the lioness will be scattered.

Job.4.12

"A word came to me in secret--a mere whisper of a word, but I heard it clearly.

Job.4.12

"A word was secretly brought to me, my ears caught a whisper of it.

Job.4.12

"Now a word was secretly brought to me, And my ear received a whisper of it.

Job.4.12

"This truth was given me in secret, as though whispered in my ear.

Job.4.13

It came in a scary dream one night, after I had fallen into a deep, deep sleep.

Job.4.13

Amid disquieting dreams in the night, when deep sleep falls on men,

Job.4.13

In disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night, When deep sleep falls on men,

Job.4.13

It came in a vision at night as others slept.

Job.4.14

Dread stared me in the face, and Terror. I was scared to death--I shook from head to foot.

Job.4.14

fear and trembling seized me and made all my bones shake.

Job.4.14

Fear came upon me, and trembling, Which made all my bones shake.

Job.4.14

Fear gripped me; I trembled and shook with terror.

Job.4.15

A spirit glided right in front of me--the hair on my head stood on end.

Job.4.15

A spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body stood on end.

Job.4.15

Then a spirit passed before my face; The hair on my body stood up.

Job.4.15

A spirit swept past my face. Its wind sent shivers up my spine.

Job.4.16

I couldn't tell what it was that appeared there--a blur... and then I heard a muffled voice:

Job.4.16

It stopped, but I could not tell what it was. A form stood before my eyes, and I heard a hushed voice:

Job.4.16

It stood still, But I could not discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes; There was silence; Then I heard a voice saying:

Job.4.16

It stopped, but I couldn't see its shape. There was a form before my eyes, and a hushed voice said,

Job.4.17

How can mere mortals be more righteous than God? How can humans be purer than their Creator?

Job.4.17

'Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?

Job.4.17

"Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?

Job.4.17

`Can a mortal be just and upright before God? Can a person be pure before the Creator?'

Job.4.18

Why, God doesn't even trust his own servants, doesn't even cheer his angels,

Job.4.18

If God places no trust in his servants, if he charges his angels with error,

Job.4.18

If He puts no trust in His servants, If He charges His angels with error,

Job.4.18

"If God cannot trust his own angels and has charged some of them with folly,

Job.4.19

So how much less these bodies composed of mud, fragile as moths?

Job.4.19

how much more those who live in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who are crushed more readily than a moth!

Job.4.19

How much more those who dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust, Who are crushed before a moth?

Job.4.19

how much less will he trust those made of clay! Their foundation is dust, and they are crushed as easily as moths.

Job.4.20

These bodies of ours are here today and gone tomorrow, and no one even notices--gone without a trace.

Job.4.20

Between dawn and dusk they are broken to pieces; unnoticed, they perish forever.

Job.4.20

They are broken in pieces from morning till evening; They perish forever, with no one regarding.

Job.4.20

They are alive in the morning, but by evening they are dead, gone forever without a trace.

Job.4.21

When the tent stakes are ripped up, the tent collapses--we die and are never the wiser for having lived.'

Job.4.21

Are not the cords of their tent pulled up, so that they die without wisdom?'

Job.4.21

Does not their own excellence go away? They die, even without wisdom.'

Job.4.21

Their tent collapses; they die in ignorance.

Job.5.1

"Call for help, Job, if you think anyone will answer! To which of the holy angels will you turn?

Job.5.1

"Call if you will, but who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn?

Job.5.1

"Call out now; Is there anyone who will answer you? And to which of the holy ones will you turn?

Job.5.1

"You may cry for help, but no one listens. You may turn to the angels, but they give you no help.

Job.5.2

The hot temper of a fool eventually kills him, the jealous anger of a simpleton does her in.

Job.5.2

Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple.

Job.5.2

For wrath kills a foolish man, And envy slays a simple one.

Job.5.2

Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple.

Job.5.3

I've seen it myself--seen fools putting down roots, and then, suddenly, their houses are cursed.

Job.5.3

I myself have seen a fool taking root, but suddenly his house was cursed.

Job.5.3

I have seen the foolish taking root, But suddenly I cursed his dwelling place.

Job.5.3

From my experience, I know that fools who turn from God may be successful for the moment, but then comes sudden disaster.

Job.5.4

Their children out in the cold, abused and exploited, with no one to stick up for them.

Job.5.4

His children are far from safety, crushed in court without a defender.

Job.5.4

His sons are far from safety, They are crushed in the gate, And there is no deliverer.

Job.5.4

Their children are abandoned far from help, with no one to defend them.

Job.5.5

Hungry people off the street plunder their harvests, cleaning them out completely, taking thorns and all, insatiable for everything they have.

Job.5.5

The hungry consume his harvest, taking it even from among thorns, and the thirsty pant after his wealth.

Job.5.5

Because the hungry eat up his harvest, Taking it even from the thorns, And a snare snatches their substance.

Job.5.5

Their harvests are stolen, and their wealth satisfies the thirst of many others, not themselves!

Job.5.6

Don't blame fate when things go wrong--trouble doesn't come from nowhere.

Job.5.6

For hardship does not spring from the soil, nor does trouble sprout from the ground.

Job.5.6

For affliction does not come from the dust, Nor does trouble spring from the ground;

Job.5.6

But evil does not spring from the soil, and trouble does not sprout from the earth.

Job.5.7

It's human! Mortals are born and bred for trouble, as certainly as sparks fly upward.

Job.5.7

Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.

Job.5.7

Yet man is born to trouble, As the sparks fly upward.

Job.5.7

People are born for trouble as predictably as sparks fly upward from a fire.

Job.5.8

"If I were in your shoes, I'd go straight to God, I'd throw myself on the mercy of God.

Job.5.8

"But if it were I, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him.

Job.5.8

"But as for me, I would seek God, And to God I would commit my cause--

Job.5.8

"My advice to you is this: Go to God and present your case to him.

Job.5.9

After all, he's famous for great and unexpected acts; there's no end to his surprises.

Job.5.9

He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.

Job.5.9

Who does great things, and unsearchable, Marvelous things without number.

Job.5.9

For he does great works too marvelous to understand. He performs miracles without number.

Job.5.10

He gives rain, for instance, across the wide earth, sends water to irrigate the fields.

Job.5.10

He bestows rain on the earth; he sends water upon the countryside.

Job.5.10

He gives rain on the earth, And sends waters on the fields.

Job.5.10

He gives rain for the earth. He sends water for the fields.

Job.5.11

He raises up the down-and-out, gives firm footing to those sinking in grief.

Job.5.11

The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.

Job.5.11

He sets on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety.

Job.5.11

He gives prosperity to the poor and humble, and he takes sufferers to safety.

Job.5.12

He aborts the schemes of conniving crooks, so that none of their plots come to term.

Job.5.12

He thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success.

Job.5.12

He frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands cannot carry out their plans.

Job.5.12

He frustrates the plans of the crafty, so their efforts will not succeed.

Job.5.13

He catches the know-it--alls in their conspiracies--all that intricate intrigue swept out with the trash!

Job.5.13

He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away.

Job.5.13

He catches the wise in their own craftiness, And the counsel of the cunning comes quickly upon them.

Job.5.13

He catches those who think they are wise in their own cleverness, so that their cunning schemes are thwarted.

Job.5.14

Suddenly they're disoriented, plunged into darkness; they can't see to put one foot in front of the other.

Job.5.14

Darkness comes upon them in the daytime; at noon they grope as in the night.

Job.5.14

They meet with darkness in the daytime, And grope at noontime as in the night.

Job.5.14

They grope in the daylight as though they were blind; they see no better in the daytime than at night.

Job.5.15

But the downtrodden are saved by God, saved from the murderous plots, saved from the iron fist.

Job.5.15

He saves the needy from the sword in their mouth; he saves them from the clutches of the powerful.

Job.5.15

But He saves the needy from the sword, From the mouth of the mighty, And from their hand.

Job.5.15

He rescues the poor from the cutting words of the strong. He saves them from the clutches of the powerful.

Job.5.16

And so the poor continue to hope, while injustice is bound and gagged.

Job.5.16

So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.

Job.5.16

So the poor have hope, And injustice shuts her mouth.

Job.5.16

And so at last the poor have hope, and the fangs of the wicked are broken.

Job.5.17

"So, what a blessing when God steps in and corrects you! Mind you, don't despise the discipline of Almighty God!

Job.5.17

"Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

Job.5.17

"Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.

Job.5.17

"But consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not despise the chastening of the Almighty when you sin.

Job.5.18

True, he wounds, but he also dresses the wound; the same hand that hurts you, heals you.

Job.5.18

For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal.

Job.5.18

For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole.

Job.5.18

For though he wounds, he also bandages. He strikes, but his hands also heal.

Job.5.19

From one disaster after another he delivers you; no matter what the calamity, the evil can't touch you--

Job.5.19

From six calamities he will rescue you; in seven no harm will befall you.

Job.5.19

He shall deliver you in six troubles, Yes, in seven no evil shall touch you.

Job.5.19

He will rescue you again and again so that no evil can touch you.

Job.5.20

"In famine, he'll keep you from starving, in war, from being gutted by the sword.

Job.5.20

In famine he will ransom you from death, and in battle from the stroke of the sword.

Job.5.20

In famine He shall redeem you from death, And in war from the power of the sword.

Job.5.20

He will save you from death in time of famine, from the power of the sword in time of war.

Job.5.21

You'll be protected from vicious gossip and live fearless through any catastrophe.

Job.5.21

You will be protected from the lash of the tongue, and need not fear when destruction comes.

Job.5.21

You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, And you shall not be afraid of destruction when it comes.

Job.5.21

You will be safe from slander and will have no fear of destruction when it comes.

Job.5.22

You'll shrug off disaster and famine, and stroll fearlessly among wild animals.

Job.5.22

You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the beasts of the earth.

Job.5.22

You shall laugh at destruction and famine, And you shall not be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

Job.5.22

You will laugh at destruction and famine; wild animals will not terrify you.

Job.5.23

You'll be on good terms with rocks and mountains; wild animals will become your good friends.

Job.5.23

For you will have a covenant with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you.

Job.5.23

For you shall have a covenant with the stones of the field, And the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you.

Job.5.23

You will be at peace with the stones of the field, and its wild animals will be at peace with you.

Job.5.24

You'll know that your place on earth is safe, you'll look over your goods and find nothing amiss.

Job.5.24

You will know that your tent is secure; you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing.

Job.5.24

You shall know that your tent is in peace; You shall visit your dwelling and find nothing amiss.

Job.5.24

You will know that your home is kept safe. When you visit your pastures, nothing will be missing.

Job.5.25

You'll see your children grow up, your family lovely and lissome as orchard grass.

Job.5.25

You will know that your children will be many, and your descendants like the grass of the earth.

Job.5.25

You shall also know that your descendants shall be many, And your offspring like the grass of the earth.

Job.5.25

Your children will be many; your descendants will be as plentiful as grass!

Job.5.26

You'll arrive at your grave ripe with many good years, like sheaves of golden grain at harvest.

Job.5.26

You will come to the grave in full vigor, like sheaves gathered in season.

Job.5.26

You shall come to the grave at a full age, As a sheaf of grain ripens in its season.

Job.5.26

You will live to a good old age. You will not be harvested until the proper time!

Job.5.27

"Yes, this is the way things are--my word of honor! Take it to heart and you won't go wrong." JOB REPLIES TO ELIPHAZ God Has Dumped the Works on Me

Job.5.27

"We have examined this, and it is true. So hear it and apply it to yourself."

Job.5.27

Behold, this we have searched out; It is true. Hear it, and know for yourself."

Job.5.27

"We have found from experience that all this is true. Listen to my counsel, and apply it to yourself."

Job.6.1

Job answered:

Job.6.1

Then Job replied:

Job.6.1

Then Job answered and said:

Job.6.1

Then Job spoke again:

Job.6.2

"If my misery could be weighed, if you could pile the whole bitter load on the scales,

Job.6.2

"If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales!

Job.6.2

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

Job.6.2

"If my sadness could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales,

Job.6.3

It would be heavier than all the sand of the sea! Is it any wonder that I'm screaming like a caged cat?

Job.6.3

It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas- no wonder my words have been impetuous.

Job.6.3

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

Job.6.3

they would be heavier than all the sands of the sea. That is why I spoke so rashly.

Job.6.4

The arrows of God Almighty are in me, poison arrows--and I'm poisoned all through! God has dumped the whole works on me.

Job.6.4

The arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks in their poison; God's terrors are marshaled against me.

Job.6.4

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

Job.6.4

For the Almighty has struck me down with his arrows. He has sent his poisoned arrows deep within my spirit. All God's terrors are arrayed against me.

Job.6.5

Donkeys bray and cows moo when they run out of pasture--so don't expect me to keep quiet in this.

Job.6.5

Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass, or an ox bellow when it has fodder?

Job.6.5

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

Job.6.5

Don't I have a right to complain? Wild donkeys bray when they find no green grass, and oxen low when they have no food.

Job.6.6

Do you see what God has dished out for me? It's enough to turn anyone's stomach!

Job.6.6

Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg?

Job.6.6

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

Job.6.6

People complain when there is no salt in their food. And how tasteless is the uncooked white of an egg!

Job.6.7

Everything in me is repulsed by it--it makes me sick.

Job.6.7

I refuse to touch it; such food makes me ill.

Job.6.7

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

Job.6.7

My appetite disappears when I look at it; I gag at the thought of eating it!

Job.6.8

"All I want is an answer to one prayer, a last request to be honored:

Job.6.8

"Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for,

Job.6.8

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

Job.6.8

"Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant my hope.

Job.6.9

Let God step on me--squash me like a bug, and be done with me for good.

Job.6.9

that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose his hand and cut me off!

Job.6.9

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

Job.6.9

I wish he would crush me. I wish he would reach out his hand and kill me.

Job.6.10

I'd at least have the satisfaction of not having blasphemed the Holy God, before being pressed past the limits.

Job.6.10

Then I would still have this consolation- my joy in unrelenting pain- that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.

Job.6.10

Then 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.

Job.6.10

At least I can take comfort in this: Despite the pain, I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

Job.6.11

Where's the strength to keep my hopes up? What future do I have to keep me going?

Job.6.11

"What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient?

Job.6.11

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

Job.6.11

But I do not have the strength to endure. I do not have a goal that encourages me to carry on.

Job.6.12

Do you think I have nerves of steel? Do you think I'm made of iron?

Job.6.12

Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze?

Job.6.12

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

Job.6.12

Do I have strength as hard as stone? Is my body made of bronze?

Job.6.13

Do you think I can pull myself up by my bootstraps? Why, I don't even have any boots!

Job.6.13

Do I have any power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me?

Job.6.13

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

Job.6.13

No, I am utterly helpless, without any chance of success.

Job.6.14

"When desperate people give up on God Almighty, their friends, at least, should stick with them.

Job.6.14

"A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

Job.6.14

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

Job.6.14

"One should be kind to a fainting friend, but you have accused me without the slightest fear of the Almighty.

Job.6.15

But my brothers are fickle as a gulch in the desert--one day they're gushing with water

Job.6.15

But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams, as the streams that overflow

Job.6.15

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

Job.6.15

My brother, you have proved as unreliable as a seasonal brook that overflows its banks in the spring

Job.6.16

From melting ice and snow cascading out of the mountains,

Job.6.16

when darkened by thawing ice and swollen with melting snow,

Job.6.16

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

Job.6.16

when it is swollen with ice and melting snow.

Job.6.17

But by midsummer they're dry, gullies baked dry in the sun.

Job.6.17

but that cease to flow in the dry season, and in the heat vanish from their channels.

Job.6.17

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

Job.6.17

But when the hot weather arrives, the water disappears. The brook vanishes in the heat.

Job.6.18

Travelers who spot them and go out of their way for a drink, end up in a waterless gulch and die of thirst.

Job.6.18

Caravans turn aside from their routes; they go up into the wasteland and perish.

Job.6.18

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

Job.6.18

The caravans turn aside to be refreshed, but there is nothing there to drink, and so they perish in the desert.

Job.6.19

Merchant caravans from Tema see them and expect water, tourists from Sheba hope for a cool drink.

Job.6.19

The caravans of Tema look for water, the traveling merchants of Sheba look in hope.

Job.6.19

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

Job.6.19

With high hopes, the caravans from Tema and from Sheba stop for water,

Job.6.20

They arrive so confident--but what a disappointment! They get there, and their faces fall!

Job.6.20

They are distressed, because they had been confident; they arrive there, only to be disappointed.

Job.6.20

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

Job.6.20

but finding none, their hopes are dashed.

Job.6.21

And you, my so-called friends, are no better--there's nothing to you! One look at a hard scene and you shrink in fear.

Job.6.21

Now you too have proved to be of no help; you see something dreadful and are afraid.

Job.6.21

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

Job.6.21

You, too, have proved to be of no help. You have seen my calamity, and you are afraid.

Job.6.22

It's not as though I asked you for anything--I didn't ask you for one red cent--

Job.6.22

Have I ever said, 'Give something on my behalf, pay a ransom for me from your wealth,

Job.6.22

Did I ever say, "Bring something to me'? Or, "Offer a bribe for me from your wealth'?

Job.6.22

But why? Have I ever asked you for a gift? Have I begged you to use any of your wealth on my behalf?

Job.6.23

Nor did I beg you to go out on a limb for me. So why all this dodging and shuffling?

Job.6.23

deliver me from the hand of the enemy, ransom me from the clutches of the ruthless'?

Job.6.23

Or, "Deliver me from the enemy's hand'? Or, "Redeem me from the hand of oppressors'?

Job.6.23

Have I ever asked you to rescue me from my enemies? Have I asked you to save me from ruthless people?

Job.6.24

"Confront me with the truth and I'll shut up, show me where I've gone off the track.

Job.6.24

"Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong.

Job.6.24

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

Job.6.24

"All I want is a reasonable answer--then I will keep quiet. Tell me, what have I done wrong?

Job.6.25

Honest words never hurt anyone, but what's the point of all this pious bluster?

Job.6.25

How painful are honest words! But what do your arguments prove?

Job.6.25

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

Job.6.25

Honest words are painful, but what do your criticisms amount to?

Job.6.26

You pretend to tell me what's wrong with my life, but treat my words of anguish as so much hot air.

Job.6.26

Do you mean to correct what I say, and treat the words of a despairing man as wind?

Job.6.26

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

Job.6.26

Do you think your words are convincing when you disregard my cry of desperation?

Job.6.27

Are people mere things to you? Are friends just items of profit and loss?

Job.6.27

You would even cast lots for the fatherless and barter away your friend.

Job.6.27

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

Job.6.27

You would even send an orphan into slavery or sell a friend.

Job.6.28

"Look me in the eyes! Do you think I'd lie to your face?

Job.6.28

"But now be so kind as to look at me. Would I lie to your face?

Job.6.28

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

Job.6.28

Look at me! Would I lie to your face?

Job.6.29

Think it over--no double-talk! Think carefully--my integrity is on the line!

Job.6.29

Relent, do not be unjust; reconsider, for my integrity is at stake.

Job.6.29

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

Job.6.29

Stop assuming my guilt, for I am righteous. Don't be so unjust.

Job.6.30

Can you detect anything false in what I say? Don't you trust me to discern good from evil?

Job.6.30

Is there any wickedness on my lips? Can my mouth not discern malice?

Job.6.30

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

Job.6.30

Do you think I am lying? Don't I know the difference between right and wrong?

Job.7.1

"Human life is a struggle, isn't it? It's a life sentence to hard labor.

Job.7.1

"Does not man have hard service on earth? Are not his days like those of a hired man?

Job.7.1

"Is there not a time of hard service for man on earth? Are not his days also like the days of a hired man?

Job.7.1

"Is this not the struggle of all humanity? A person's life is long and hard, like that of a hired hand,

Job.7.2

Like field hands longing for quitting time and working stiffs with nothing to hope for but payday,

Job.7.2

Like a slave longing for the evening shadows, or a hired man waiting eagerly for his wages,

Job.7.2

Like a servant who earnestly desires the shade, And like a hired man who eagerly looks for his wages,

Job.7.2

like a worker who longs for the day to end, like a servant waiting to be paid.

Job.7.3

I'm given a life that meanders and goes nowhere--months of aimlessness, nights of misery!

Job.7.3

so I have been allotted months of futility, and nights of misery have been assigned to me.

Job.7.3

So I have been allotted months of futility, And wearisome nights have been appointed to me.

Job.7.3

I, too, have been assigned months of futility, long and weary nights of misery.

Job.7.4

I go to bed and think, "How long till I can get up?' I toss and turn as the night drags on--and I'm fed up!

Job.7.4

When I lie down I think, 'How long before I get up?' The night drags on, and I toss till dawn.

Job.7.4

When I lie down, I say, "When shall I arise, And the night be ended?' For I have had my fill of tossing till dawn.

Job.7.4

When I go to bed, I think, `When will it be morning?' But the night drags on, and I toss till dawn.

Job.7.5

I'm covered with maggots and scabs. My skin gets scaly and hard, then oozes with pus.

Job.7.5

My body is clothed with worms and scabs, my skin is broken and festering.

Job.7.5

My flesh is caked with worms and dust, My skin is cracked and breaks out afresh.

Job.7.5

My skin is filled with worms and scabs. My flesh breaks open, full of pus.

Job.7.6

My days come and go swifter than the click of knitting needles, and then the yarn runs out--an unfinished life!

Job.7.6

"My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and they come to an end without hope.

Job.7.6

"My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, And are spent without hope.

Job.7.6

"My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle flying back and forth. They end without hope.

Job.7.7

"God, don't forget that I'm only a puff of air! These eyes have had their last look at goodness.

Job.7.7

Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again.

Job.7.7

Oh, remember that my life is a breath! My eye will never again see good.

Job.7.7

O God, remember that my life is but a breath, and I will never again experience pleasure.

Job.7.8

And your eyes have seen the last of me; even while you're looking, there'll be nothing left to look at.

Job.7.8

The eye that now sees me will see me no longer; you will look for me, but I will be no more.

Job.7.8

The eye of him who sees me will see me no more; While your eyes are upon me, I shall no longer be.

Job.7.8

You see me now, but not for long. Your eyes will be on me, but I will be dead.

Job.7.9

When a cloud evaporates, it's gone for good; those who go to the grave never come back.

Job.7.9

As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so he who goes down to the grave does not return.

Job.7.9

As the cloud disappears and vanishes away, So he who goes down to the grave does not come up.

Job.7.9

Just as a cloud dissipates and vanishes, those who die will not come back.

Job.7.10

They don't return to visit their families; never again will friends drop in for coffee.

Job.7.10

He will never come to his house again; his place will know him no more.

Job.7.10

He shall never return to his house, Nor shall his place know him anymore.

Job.7.10

They are gone forever from their home--never to be seen again.

Job.7.11

"And so I'm not keeping one bit of this quiet, I'm laying it all out on the table; my complaining to high heaven is bitter, but honest.

Job.7.11

"Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Job.7.11

"Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Job.7.11

"I cannot keep from speaking. I must express my anguish. I must complain in my bitterness.

Job.7.12

Are you going to put a muzzle on me, the way you quiet the sea and still the storm?

Job.7.12

Am I the sea, or the monster of the deep, that you put me under guard?

Job.7.12

Am I a sea, or a sea serpent, That You set a guard over me?

Job.7.12

Am I a sea monster that you place a guard on me?

Job.7.13

If I say, "I'm going to bed, then I'll feel better. A little nap will lift my spirits,'

Job.7.13

When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint,

Job.7.13

When I say, "My bed will comfort me, My couch will ease my complaint,'

Job.7.13

If I think, `My bed will comfort me, and I will try to forget my misery with sleep,'

Job.7.14

You come and so scare me with nightmares and frighten me with ghosts

Job.7.14

even then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions,

Job.7.14

Then You scare me with dreams And terrify me with visions,

Job.7.14

you shatter me with dreams. You terrify me with visions.

Job.7.15

That I'd rather strangle in the bedclothes than face this kind of life any longer.

Job.7.15

so that I prefer strangling and death, rather than this body of mine.

Job.7.15

So that my soul chooses strangling And death rather than my body.

Job.7.15

I would rather die of strangulation than go on and on like this.

Job.7.16

I hate this life! Who needs any more of this? Let me alone! There's nothing to my life--it's nothing but smoke.

Job.7.16

I despise my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning.

Job.7.16

I loathe my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone, For my days are but a breath.

Job.7.16

I hate my life. I do not want to go on living. Oh, leave me alone for these few remaining days.

Job.7.17

"What are mortals anyway, that you bother with them, that you even give them the time of day?

Job.7.17

"What is man that you make so much of him, that you give him so much attention,

Job.7.17

"What is man, that You should exalt him, That You should set Your heart on him,

Job.7.17

"What are mere mortals, that you should make so much of us?

Job.7.18

That you check up on them every morning, looking in on them to see how they're doing?

Job.7.18

that you examine him every morning and test him every moment?

Job.7.18

That You should visit him every morning, And test him every moment?

Job.7.18

For you examine us every morning and test us every moment.

Job.7.19

Let up on me, will you? Can't you even let me spit in peace?

Job.7.19

Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant?

Job.7.19

How long? Will You not look away from me, And let me alone till I swallow my saliva?

Job.7.19

Why won't you leave me alone--even for a moment?

Job.7.20

Even suppose I'd sinned--how would that hurt you? You're responsible for every human being. Don't you have better things to do than pick on me? Why make a federal case out of me?

Job.7.20

If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you?

Job.7.20

Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, So that I am a burden to myself?

Job.7.20

Have I sinned? What have I done to you, O watcher of all humanity? Why have you made me your target? Am I a burden to you?

Job.7.21

Why don't you just forgive my sins and start me off with a clean slate? The way things are going, I'll soon be dead. You'll look high and low, but I won't be around." BILDAD's RESPONSE Does God Mess Up?

Job.7.21

Why do you not pardon my offenses and forgive my sins? For I will soon lie down in the dust; you will search for me, but I will be no more."

Job.7.21

Why then do You not pardon my transgression, And take away my iniquity? For now I will lie down in the dust, And You will seek me diligently, But I will no longer be."

Job.7.21

Why not just pardon my sin and take away my guilt? For soon I will lie down in the dust and die. When you look for me, I will be gone."

Matt.19.1

When Jesus had completed these teachings, he left Galilee and crossed the region of Judea on the other side of the Jordan.

Matt.19.1

When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan.

Matt.19.1

Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings, that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.

Matt.19.1

After Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went southward to the region of Judea and into the area east of the Jordan River.

Matt.19.2

Great crowds followed him there, and he healed them.

Matt.19.2

Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

Matt.19.2

And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there.

Matt.19.2

Vast crowds followed him there, and he healed their sick.

Matt.19.3

One day the Pharisees were badgering him: "Is it legal for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?"

Matt.19.3

Some Pharisees came to him to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?"

Matt.19.3

The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?"

Matt.19.3

Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: "Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for any reason?"

Matt.19.4

He answered, "Haven't you read in your Bible that the Creator originally made man and woman for each other, male and female?

Matt.19.4

"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,'

Matt.19.4

And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning "made them male and female,'

Matt.19.4

"Haven't you read the Scriptures?" Jesus replied. "They record that from the beginning 'God made them male and female.'

Matt.19.5

And because of this, a man leaves father and mother and is firmly bonded to his wife, becoming one flesh--no longer two bodies but one.

Matt.19.5

and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'?

Matt.19.5

and said, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?

Matt.19.5

And he said, 'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.'

Matt.19.6

Because God created this organic union of the two sexes, no one should desecrate his art by cutting them apart."

Matt.19.6

So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

Matt.19.6

So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."

Matt.19.6

Since they are no longer two but one, let no one separate them, for God has joined them together."

Matt.19.7

They shot back in rebuttal, "If that's so, why did Moses give instructions for divorce papers and divorce procedures?"

Matt.19.7

"Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?"

Matt.19.7

They said to Him, "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?"

Matt.19.7

"Then why did Moses say a man could merely write an official letter of divorce and send her away?" they asked.

Matt.19.8

Jesus said, "Moses provided for divorce as a concession to your hardheartedness, but it is not part of God's original plan.

Matt.19.8

Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.

Matt.19.8

He said to them, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.

Matt.19.8

Jesus replied, "Moses permitted divorce as a concession to your hard-hearted wickedness, but it was not what God had originally intended.

Matt.19.9

I'm holding you to the original plan, and holding you liable for adultery if you divorce your faithful wife and then marry someone else. I make an exception in cases where the spouse has committed adultery."

Matt.19.9

I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."

Matt.19.9

And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery."

Matt.19.9

And I tell you this, a man who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery--unless his wife has been unfaithful. "

Matt.19.10

Jesus' disciples objected, "If those are the terms of marriage, we're stuck. Why get married?"

Matt.19.10

The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry."

Matt.19.10

His disciples said to Him, "If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry."

Matt.19.10

Jesus' disciples then said to him, "Then it is better not to marry!"

Matt.19.11

But Jesus said, "Not everyone is mature enough to live a married life. It requires a certain aptitude and grace. Marriage isn't for everyone.

Matt.19.11

Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.

Matt.19.11

But He said to them, "All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given:

Matt.19.11

"Not everyone can accept this statement," Jesus said. "Only those whom God helps.

Matt.19.12

Some, from birth seemingly, never give marriage a thought. Others never get asked--or accepted. And some decide not to get married for kingdom reasons. But if you're capable of growing into the largeness of marriage, do it."

Matt.19.12

For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

Matt.19.12

For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it."

Matt.19.12

Some are born as eunuchs, some have been made that way by others, and some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let anyone who can, accept this statement."

Matt.19.13

One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off.

Matt.19.13

Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

Matt.19.13

Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.

Matt.19.13

Some children were brought to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. The disciples told them not to bother him.

Matt.19.14

But Jesus intervened: "Let the children alone, don't prevent them from coming to me. God's kingdom is made up of people like these."

Matt.19.14

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matt.19.14

But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Matt.19.14

But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these."

Matt.19.15

After laying hands on them, he left.

Matt.19.15

When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

Matt.19.15

And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

Matt.19.15

And he put his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.

Ps.17.1

Listen while I build my case, GOD, the most honest prayer you'll ever hear.

Ps.17.1

Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer- it does not rise from deceitful lips.

Ps.17.1

Hear a just cause, O LORD, Attend to my cry; Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.

Ps.17.1

O LORD, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from an honest heart.

Ps.17.2

Show the world I'm innocent--in your heart you know I am.

Ps.17.2

May my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.

Ps.17.2

Let my vindication come from Your presence; Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.

Ps.17.2

Declare me innocent, for you know those who do right.

Ps.17.3

Go ahead, examine me from inside out, surprise me in the middle of the night--You'll find I'm just what I say I am. My words don't run loose.

Ps.17.3

Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.

Ps.17.3

You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.

Ps.17.3

You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing amiss, for I am determined not to sin in what I say.

Ps.17.4

I'm not trying to get my way in the world's way. I'm trying to get your way, your Word's way.

Ps.17.4

As for the deeds of men- by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.

Ps.17.4

Concerning the works of men, By the word of Your lips, I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.

Ps.17.4

I have followed your commands, which have kept me from going along with cruel and evil people.

Ps.17.5

I'm staying on your trail; I'm putting one foot In front of the other. I'm not giving up.

Ps.17.5

My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped.

Ps.17.5

Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip.

Ps.17.5

My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you.