SECTION ONE: The introduction

(1:1–2:13)

1 Once there was a man called Iyyov (Job) who lived in the Uz region. He was blameless and righteous—both obeying God and avoiding evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 1,000 cattle, and 500 donkeys, as well as many slaves. Iyyov was richer than anyone else who lived in the area east of the Jordan River. 4 Iyyov’s sons regularly held feasts in their homes, and whenever any of them held a feast, he would invite all his brothers and sisters to share the meal with him. 5 Then once a feast was over, Iyyov would send for his children and consecrate them—he got up early in the morning and offered burnt offerings for each of them, because Iyyov said, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed[fn] God in their hearts.” ≈It was Job’s regular habit to intercede for his children.

6 It was the day that God’s sons[fn] came to present themselves to Yahweh, and the adversary (Satan) was also there among them.[ref] 7 Yahweh asked him, “Where have you just come from?”

“I have come from the earth, where I was travelling around to see what was going on.” Satan replied.

8 “Have you noticed my servant Iyyov?” Yahweh asked. “There’s no one else like him on the whole earth—a blameless and righteous man who obeys me God and avoids anything evil.”

9 “Does Iyyov get nothing back for respecting God?” Satan answered Yahweh. 10 “Don’t you constantly protect him and his household and everything that’s his? You’ve blessed what he works on, and his livestock have multiplied prolifically. 11 However, just stretch out your hand and ruin everything he has, then we’ll see that he’ll curse you to your face.”

12 “Listen, I’ll cede you control over everything he has,” Yahweh replied. “Only just don’t do anything against Iyyov himself.” So the adversary went away from Yahweh’s presence.

13 So one day when Iyyov’s sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Iyyov and reported, “While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys were feeding nearby, 15 the Sabeans attacked with their swords and stole them all. They killed all your slaves except that I managed to escape to tell you.”

16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the sky and burnt up the sheep and the shepherds. Only ashes are left, except that I alone escaped to tell you.”

17 While he was still speaking, another one came and explained, “The Chaldeans formed into three bands and raided the camels and took them, and they attacked the slaves with their swords, and I’m the only one who escaped to come and tell you.”

18 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother 19 when suddenly a freak wind came from across the desert and struck the house. It collapsed on the young people and killed them, and only I alone have escaped to tell you.”

20 Then Iyyov stood up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he knelt with his face to the ground and worshipped God, 21 saying, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will leave this life naked. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken. May Yahweh’s reputation??? be blessed.”

22 Through all of that, Iyyov didn’t disobey God or accuse him of being evil.

2 It was the day that God’s sons came to present themselves to Yahweh and the adversary (Satan) was also there among them. 2 “Where have you come from?” Yahweh asked the adversary.

“From wandering on the earth and going back and forth on it,” he answered.

3 “Have you noticed my servant Iyyov (Job)?” Yahweh asked Satan, “because there’s no one like him on the earth—a blameless and righteous man, striving to obey God and turning from evil. And he’s still holding firmly to his integrity, even though you incited me against him, to ruin him for nothing.”

4 “Skin for skin,” replied the adversary, “actually, a person will give everything they have to save their life. 5 However, just reach out and touch his flesh and bones, and see if he doesn’t curse you to your face.”

6 “Listen,” Yahweh said to him, “I’ll give you power over him, but you must preserve his life.”

7 So the adversary went away from Yahweh’s presence, and he infected Iyyov with bad boils from the sole of his foot to the top of his head. 8 Iyyov picked up a piece of broken pottery to scratch himself with as he sat down in the middle of a pile of ashes.

9 “Are you still holding tightly onto your integrity?” his wife asked him. “Just curse God and die.”

10 “You’re talking like a foolish person,” Iyyov ≈replied. “Should we only accept good from God and not receive the bad?” In all of that, Iyyov didn’t sin in what he said.

11 When Iyyov’s three friends heard about all the troubles that had happened to him, they each came from his place: Elifaz from Teman, Bildad from Shuah, and Zofar from Naamah. They gathered together to come to console and comfort him. 12 but when they saw him from a distance, they barely recognised him. They wailed loudly, and they ripped their own clothes, and they threw dust into the air so that it would fall on their heads. (All three of those were traditional signs of mourning.) 13 Then they sat with him there on the ground for seven days and seven nights without saying a single word to Iyyov because they had seen that his suffering was extreme.

SECTION TWO: Iyyov talking with his friends

(3:1–27:33)

3 After that, Iyyov spoke up and cursed the day of his conception.[ref]

2 He said:

3 May the day on which I was born perish,

and the night that said, ‘A boy has been conceived.’

4 May that day be dark.

May God not search for it from above

and may no light shine on it.

5 May darkness and a dark shadow claim it.

≈May a cloud remain over it.

May the blacknesses of the day terrify it.

6 May gloom take that night.

May it not be happy among the days of the year.

May it not enter into the number of months.

7 Listen, may that night be barren.

May a happy shout never enter it.

8 May those who curse days, curse that one—

yes, those people who are skillful enough to wake up the large sea monster.

9 May the stars of its twilight be dark.

May it stay waiting for the light that never arrives.

May it not see the dawn breaking.

10 Because it didn’t close the doors of my mother’s womb,

to hide the sorrow from my eyes.

11 Why didn’t I die at birth?

≈Just come out then stop breathing?

12 Why was I accepted onto her lap?

≈And onto those breasts to suckle?

13 Yes, I’d be peacefully lying down now.

≈I would have slept and been at rest,

14 along with kings and counsellors of the earth—

yes, those who built monuments for themselves.

15 Or been asleep with princes and their gold—

those who filled their houses with silver.

16 I might never have been—like a stillborn child.

≈Like some infants who never see the light.

17 Wicked people don’t cause any more trouble there.

Those who’ve run out of strength rest there.

18 Prisoners are able to relax together.

They no longer hear the voice of their taskmaster.

19 Ordinary and famous people are all alike there.

And slaves there no longer have to obey their masters.

20 Why is light given to those who are miserable?

≈And why’s life given to those who are bitter inside?

21 They wish for death but it won’t come.[ref]

They dig for it more than for hidden treasure.

22 Those who are happy for happiness sake,

will celebrate when they find the grave.

23 Why search for a path that’s hidden

when God has hedged them in?

24 Sighing has become more important than eating.

≈My groans just pour out like water.

25 I had my fears and they’ve come to pass.

≈What I dreaded has come to me.

26 I’m not relaxed or peaceful.

≈I can’t rest because only trouble comes.

(4:1–14:22)

4 Then Elifaz (from Teman) ≈replied:

2 If someone tries to talk with you, will it wear you out?

But who can resist answering?

3 Listen, you’ve instructed many other people.

And you’ve encouraged those who were weak.

4 Your words have encouraged those who were stumbling.

You’ve strengthened those whose knees were buckling.

5 But now it’s you in trouble and you’re depressed.

Troubles touch you and you’re discouraged.

6 Doesn’t your faith give you confidence?

What about your hope and your integrity?

7 Remember: Who has ever perished when they were innocent?[fn]

Or when were godly people ever destroyed?

8 Just like I’ve seen those who plant evil and sow mischief harvest it back again,

9 God’s breath causes them to perish,

and with a snort of his nose they come to an end.

10 The lion roars and the UNKNOWN-lion sounds his voice,

AND the teeth of the young lions are broken.

11 The UNKNOWN-lion starves to death because of a lack of prey,

and the lionesses cubs are scattered.

12 Now a message was brought secretly to me,

and my ears caught a whisper of it.

13 When troubled by thoughts from dreams in the night,

when people have fallen into deep sleep,

14 I was hit by fear and trembling—

my bones were shaking with fright.

15 A spirit passed over my face,

and the hairs on my body stood on end.

16 It stood still, but I didn’t recognise what it was.

There was an image in front of my eyes.

It was silent and then I heard a voice:

17 ‘Can a mortal human be innocent before God?

Can a person be more pure than the creator of people?‘[fn]

18 Listen, he doesn’t even trust his own servants,

and he accuses his own messengers of making mistakes.

19 How much less for those whose bodies were made from the clay,

whose foundations were made from the dust.

They’re crushed even easier than a moth is.

20 They’re destroyed from morning to evening.

They’re always dying even without anyone doing anything.

21 Their tent cords are pulled out on them.

They die and don’t even know why.

Job Is Corrected by God; Eliphaz’s Response Continues

5 Call out to God now. Does anyone answer?

Which of the holy ones will you turn to?

2 Resentment kills foolish people.

Jealousy kills those who are simple-minded.

3 I’ve seen foolish people taking root,

then I’ve immediately cursed their homes.

4 Their children are far from safety,

and they[fn] are crushed in the gate,[fn]

and no one saves them.

5 Those who are hungry consume his harvest

even getting it from among the thorns.

Greedy people long for his wealth.

6 Hardship doesn’t just grow up from the dust,

and trouble doesn’t just spring up from the ground.

7 Everyone is born into trouble—

sparks tend to fly up high.

8 But for myself, I’ll search for God

and I’ll approach him with my case.

9 He does incredible things,

and performs wonders without number that are beyond our understanding.

10 He’s the one giving rain all over the earth,

and sending water onto the fields.

11 God helps the humble to prosper,

and he lifts those who are mourning to a safe place.

12 He frustrates the schemes of the crafty,

so their actions cannot succeed.

13 He catches smart people in their craftiness,

and he hurries along the plans of those who are deceptive.

14 Even in the daytime, they remain in darkness.

Even at midday, they feel their way around as if it’s nighttime.

15 He saves the poor from the plans of those smart people,

and from the actions of powerful people.

16 So the poor have hope,

and injustice is silenced.

17 Listen, the person who’s corrected by God is blessed.

Don’t despise chastening from God the provider.

18 He wounds and he also bandages up.

He strikes but his hands also heal.

19 If you get in trouble six times, he’ll rescue you.

Even seven times, he’ll prevent you from being harmed.

20 During famines, he’ll rescue you from death,

≈and in war, he’ll save you from slaughter.

21 He’ll hide you away from hurting words,

≈and when destruction comes, you won’t be afraid.

22 You’ll laugh at destruction and at famine,

≈and you won’t be afraid of wild animals,

23 because you have an agreement with the stones in the fields for walls,

≈and the wild animals will be at peace with you.

24 You’ll know that your home is secure,

≈and you’ll inspect your animal shelters and nothing will be missing.

25 You’ll know that your descendants will be numerous,

≈and your offspring like the grass on the land.

26 You’ll reach an old age before you get to the grave,

like grain that’s harvested at the right time.

27 Listen to this: we’ve investigated and it’s true.

Listen to it so you’ll know for yourself.

6 Then Iyyov (Job) responded:

2 If only my anguish could be truly weighed,

and my calamity could be put together with it on the scales.

3 Because now it would be heavier than the sand on the beaches

so that’s why my words have been so rash.

4 Because the arrows of God the provider are in me.

My spirit is drinking in their poison.

God’s terrors are set out against me.

5 Does a wild donkey bray when it has fresh grass to eat,

or a ox bellow when it has its fodder?

6 Do people eat tasteless food without adding salt,

≈or enjoy the taste of purslane leaves by itself?

7 My soul refuses to touch them—

they are like detestable food to me.

8 Who will give me my request?

≈May God give me what I hope for.

9 If only God would be willing to crush me.

≈May he play his hand and cut me off.

10 It still comforts me and gives me inner joy through never-ending pain,

that I haven’t denied the words of the holy one.

11 I don’t have the strength to keep waiting.

≈What future do I have, that I should want to go on living?

12 Am I strong like rock?

≈Is my body made of bronze?

13 Am I in a position to help myself?

It seems that success has been driven away from me.

14 When a man’s in despair, surely his friend should be kind

even if the man stops honouring God the provider.

15 My ‘brothers’ have been as treacherous as a river that dries up in the summer.

They disappear again like dry river beds.

16 They go dark from the ice over them,

and they hide themselves when covered with snow.

17 At the time when they should be flowing, they’re silenced.

When it’s hot, they dry up from their channels.

18 Their paths twist in their courses,

they go out into the wasteland and end there.

19 The camel caravans from Tema look for water.

The caravans from Sheba keep looking forward to them.

20 They were distressed because they had been confident.

They’ve come to the dry stream bed and were stunned.

21 Now you have become of no help.

You see the terror and you’re afraid.

22 Have I ever asked you to give me something?

≈Or to give me a reward from your wealth?

23 Or to save me from my enemy in battle?

Or to pay a ransom to ruthless people in order to free me?

24 Teach me and then I’ll be quiet.

Explain to me where I’ve gone wrong.

25 Truthful words are so painful.

But what does your proof prove to anyone?

26 Do you plan to correct my words?

Do you consider the words of someone in despair to be like wind?

27 You would even draw straws for a fatherless child.

You would make money out of your friend.

28 So now, look at me willingly.

Would I lie to your face?

29 Please turn back—don’t let there be injustice.

≈Turn now—my cause is righteous.

30 Am I being unfair?

Am I incapable of discerning evil?

Job: My Suffering Is without End

7 Aren’t people expected to work on earth?

Aren’t a person’s days like the days of a hired labourer?

2 He longs for the shade just like a slave does.

He’s just like a hired man who waits eagerly for his wages.

3 So months of worthlessness have been alloted to me,

and they’ve appointed me to have many nights of trouble.

4 When I lie down I ask myself, ‘When can I get up?’

Thus evening drags on followed by restlessness until dawn.

5 My body is clothed with maggots and encrusted with dust.

≈My skin has become brittle and breaks apart.

Job Cries Out to God

6 In the past the days flew by faster than a weaver’s shuttle,

but now they’ve come to an end without any hope.

7 Remember that my life is just a puff of air.

My eyes will never see happiness again.

8 Your eyes won’t see me any more.

They’ll be on me but I’ll be gone.

9 Clouds just pop out of existence again and vanish.

Similarly, the person who goes down to She’ol doesn’t come back up again.

10 That person won’t return to their house again,

and before long their place won’t even know them again.

11 So I won’t restrain my mouth—

I’ll speak in the distress of my spirit.

I will complain with the bitterness of my soul.

12 Do you think that I’m the sea or the sea monster

that you will station a guard to watch me?

13 I thought that my bed would comfort me,

≈and that my couch would take away my complaints.

14 But then you frighten me with dreams,

≈and you terrify me with visions.

15 My inner self chooses strangling—

≈death over life in this body.

16 I REJECT—I won’t live to a VANISHING POINT.

Leave me alone because my days are just a puff of air.

17 What are humans that you make so much of them,

≈and that your mind thinks about them?

18 You visit them in the mornings,

and test them at various times.

19 Will you never look away from me?

Won’t you leave me alone long enough to swallow?

20 If I’ve sinned, what did I do to you, the watcher of people?

Why have you made me your target—

me who feels like I myself am now a burden?

21 Why won’t you forgive my fault

and take away my guilt?

For now I’ll lie down in the dust.

You’ll search for me but I’ll no longer exist.

8 Then Bildad (from Shuah) answered:

2 For how much longer will you keep saying that stuff?

The words coming out of your mouth are like a strong wind.

3 Does God pervert justice?

Does the provider pervert what is right?

4 If your children sinned against him,

then he let their disobedience take them on.

5 If you genuinely search for God,

and you request a favour from the provider,

6 and if you’re pure and honourable,

he’ll rouse himself to help you

and restore your rightful home.

7 Your beginning started off small,

but your ending will see a large increase.

8 Why don’t you ask previous generations,

≈and consider what their ancestors had learnt,

9 because we were born just ‘yesterday’

and don’t know anything.

Our days on the earth are just a shadow in comparison.

10 Won’t they speak to you and teach you?

They’ll advise from their understanding.

11 Can papyrus grow tall where there’s no swamp?

Can reeds grow where there’s no water?

12 They’re not harvested when they’re still flowering,

but they wither before any other plants.

13 The paths of people who forget God are like them.

The hope of godless people will just disappear.

14 Their confidence snaps,

and their trust is broken like a spider’s web.

15 He leans against his house but it collapses.

He takes hold of it, but it doesn’t stand again.

16 It’s a fresh plant in the sunshine,

and its shoots spread out over the garden.

17 Its roots are twisted around over a heap.

They find the cracks between stones.

18 If it’s destroyed from its place,

it’ll deny that it even saw you.

19 That’s the happiness of its path.

Another one will spring up from the dust.

20 God doesn’t reject people who are blameless.

And he doesn’t join in with those who do evil.

21 He’ll still fill your mouth with laughter,

≈and your lips with a happy shout.

22 Those who hate you will be exposed and shamed,

and the homes of wicked people will cease to exist.