³ “May the day of my birth perish,
    and the night that said, ‘A boy is conceived!’^(B)
4 That day—may it turn to darkness;
    may God above not care about it;
    may no light shine on it.
⁵ May gloom and utter darkness^(C) claim it once more;
    may a cloud settle over it;
    may blackness overwhelm it.
⁶ That night—may thick darkness^(D) seize it;
    may it not be included among the days of the year
    nor be entered in any of the months.
⁷ May that night be barren;
    may no shout of joy^(E) be heard in it.
⁸ May those who curse days^[a] curse that day,^(F)
    those who are ready to rouse Leviathan.^(G)
9 May its morning stars become dark;
    may it wait for daylight in vain
    and not see the first rays of dawn,^(H)
10 for it did not shut the doors of the womb on me
    to hide trouble from my eyes.

¹¹ “Why did I not perish at birth,
    and die as I came from the womb?^(I)
12 Why were there knees to receive me^(J)
    and breasts that I might be nursed?
¹³ For now I would be lying down^(K) in peace;
    I would be asleep and at rest^(L)
14 with kings and rulers of the earth,^(M)
    who built for themselves places now lying in ruins,^(N)
15 with princes^(O) who had gold,
    who filled their houses with silver.^(P)
16 Or why was I not hidden away in the ground like a stillborn child,^(Q)
    like an infant who never saw the light of day?^(R)
17 There the wicked cease from turmoil,^(S)
    and there the weary are at rest.^(T)
18 Captives^(U) also enjoy their ease;
    they no longer hear the slave driver’s^(V) shout.^(W)
19 The small and the great are there,^(X)
    and the slaves are freed from their owners.

²⁰ “Why is light given to those in misery,
    and life to the bitter of soul,^(Y)
21 to those who long for death that does not come,^(Z)
    who search for it more than for hidden treasure,^(AA)
22 who are filled with gladness
    and rejoice when they reach the grave?^(AB)
23 Why is life given to a man
    whose way is hidden,^(AC)
    whom God has hedged in?^(AD)
24 For sighing^(AE) has become my daily food;^(AF)
    my groans^(AG) pour out like water.^(AH)
25 What I feared has come upon me;
    what I dreaded^(AI) has happened to me.^(AJ)
26 I have no peace,^(AK) no quietness;
    I have no rest,^(AL) but only turmoil.”^(AM)

² “If someone ventures a word with you, will you be impatient?
    But who can keep from speaking?^(AO)
3 Think how you have instructed many,^(AP)
    how you have strengthened feeble hands.^(AQ)
4 Your words have supported those who stumbled;^(AR)
    you have strengthened faltering knees.^(AS)
5 But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged;^(AT)
    it strikes^(AU) you, and you are dismayed.^(AV)
6 Should not your piety be your confidence^(AW)
    and your blameless^(AX) ways your hope?

⁷ “Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished?^(AY)
    Where were the upright ever destroyed?^(AZ)
8 As I have observed,^(BA) those who plow evil^(BB)
    and those who sow trouble reap it.^(BC)
9 At the breath of God^(BD) they perish;
    at the blast of his anger they are no more.^(BE)
10 The lions may roar^(BF) and growl,
    yet the teeth of the great lions^(BG) are broken.^(BH)
11 The lion perishes for lack of prey,^(BI)
    and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.^(BJ)

¹² “A word^(BK) was secretly brought to me,
    my ears caught a whisper^(BL) of it.^(BM)
13 Amid disquieting dreams in the night,
    when deep sleep falls on people,^(BN)
14 fear and trembling^(BO) seized me
    and made all my bones shake.^(BP)
15 A spirit glided past my face,
    and the hair on my body stood on end.^(BQ)
16 It stopped,
    but I could not tell what it was.
A form stood before my eyes,
    and I heard a hushed voice:^(BR)
17 ‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God?^(BS)
    Can even a strong man be more pure than his Maker?^(BT)
18 If God places no trust in his servants,^(BU)
    if he charges his angels with error,^(BV)
19 how much more those who live in houses of clay,^(BW)
    whose foundations^(BX) are in the dust,^(BY)
    who are crushed^(BZ) more readily than a moth!^(CA)
20 Between dawn and dusk they are broken to pieces;
    unnoticed, they perish forever.^(CB)
21 Are not the cords of their tent pulled up,^(CC)
    so that they die^(CD) without wisdom?’^(CE)

⁸ “But if I were you, I would appeal to God;
    I would lay my cause before him.^(CU)
9 He performs wonders^(CV) that cannot be fathomed,^(CW)
    miracles that cannot be counted.^(CX)
10 He provides rain for the earth;^(CY)
    he sends water on the countryside.^(CZ)
11 The lowly he sets on high,^(DA)
    and those who mourn^(DB) are lifted^(DC) to safety.
¹² He thwarts the plans^(DD) of the crafty,
    so that their hands achieve no success.^(DE)
13 He catches the wise^(DF) in their craftiness,^(DG)
    and the schemes of the wily are swept away.^(DH)
14 Darkness^(DI) comes upon them in the daytime;
    at noon they grope as in the night.^(DJ)
15 He saves the needy^(DK) from the sword in their mouth;
    he saves them from the clutches of the powerful.^(DL)
16 So the poor^(DM) have hope,
    and injustice shuts its mouth.^(DN)

¹⁷ “Blessed is the one whom God corrects;^(DO)
    so do not despise the discipline^(DP) of the Almighty.^[b](DQ)
18 For he wounds, but he also binds up;^(DR)
    he injures, but his hands also heal.^(DS)
19 From six calamities he will rescue^(DT) you;
    in seven no harm will touch you.^(DU)
20 In famine^(DV) he will deliver you from death,
    and in battle from the stroke of the sword.^(DW)
21 You will be protected from the lash of the tongue,^(DX)
    and need not fear^(DY) when destruction comes.^(DZ)
22 You will laugh^(EA) at destruction and famine,^(EB)
    and need not fear the wild animals.^(EC)
23 For you will have a covenant^(ED) with the stones^(EE) of the field,
    and the wild animals will be at peace with you.^(EF)
24 You will know that your tent is secure;^(EG)
    you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing.^(EH)
25 You will know that your children will be many,^(EI)
    and your descendants like the grass of the earth.^(EJ)
26 You will come to the grave in full vigor,^(EK)
    like sheaves gathered in season.^(EL)

²⁷ “We have examined this, and it is true.
    So hear it^(EM) and apply it to yourself.”^(EN)

² “If only my anguish could be weighed
    and all my misery be placed on the scales!^(EO)
3 It would surely outweigh the sand^(EP) of the seas—
    no wonder my words have been impetuous.^(EQ)
4 The arrows^(ER) of the Almighty^(ES) are in me,^(ET)
    my spirit drinks^(EU) in their poison;^(EV)
    God’s terrors^(EW) are marshaled against me.^(EX)
5 Does a wild donkey^(EY) bray^(EZ) when it has grass,
    or an ox bellow when it has fodder?^(FA)
6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt,
    or is there flavor in the sap of the mallow^[c]?^(FB)
7 I refuse to touch it;
    such food makes me ill.^(FC)

⁸ “Oh, that I might have my request,
    that God would grant what I hope for,^(FD)
9 that God would be willing to crush^(FE) me,
    to let loose his hand and cut off my life!^(FF)
10 Then I would still have this consolation^(FG)—
    my joy in unrelenting pain^(FH)—
    that I had not denied the words^(FI) of the Holy One.^(FJ)

¹¹ “What strength do I have, that I should still hope?
    What prospects, that I should be patient?^(FK)
12 Do I have the strength of stone?
    Is my flesh bronze?^(FL)
13 Do I have any power to help myself,^(FM)
    now that success has been driven from me?

¹⁴ “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend^(FN)
    forsakes the fear of the Almighty.^(FO)
15 But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams,^(FP)
    as the streams that overflow
¹⁶ when darkened by thawing ice
    and swollen with melting snow,^(FQ)
17 but that stop flowing in the dry season,
    and in the heat^(FR) vanish from their channels.
¹⁸ Caravans turn aside from their routes;
    they go off into the wasteland and perish.
¹⁹ The caravans of Tema^(FS) look for water,
    the traveling merchants of Sheba^(FT) look in hope.
²⁰ They are distressed, because they had been confident;
    they arrive there, only to be disappointed.^(FU)
21 Now you too have proved to be of no help;
    you see something dreadful and are afraid.^(FV)
22 Have I ever said, ‘Give something on my behalf,
    pay a ransom^(FW) for me from your wealth,^(FX)
23 deliver me from the hand of the enemy,
    rescue me from the clutches of the ruthless’?^(FY)

²⁴ “Teach me, and I will be quiet;^(FZ)
    show me where I have been wrong.^(GA)
25 How painful are honest words!^(GB)
    But what do your arguments prove?
²⁶ Do you mean to correct what I say,
    and treat my desperate words as wind?^(GC)
27 You would even cast lots^(GD) for the fatherless^(GE)
    and barter away your friend.

²⁸ “But now be so kind as to look at me.
    Would I lie to your face?^(GF)
29 Relent, do not be unjust;^(GG)
    reconsider, for my integrity^(GH) is at stake.^[d](GI)
30 Is there any wickedness on my lips?^(GJ)
    Can my mouth not discern^(GK) malice?

7 “Do not mortals have hard service^(GL) on earth?^(GM)
    Are not their days like those of hired laborers?^(GN)
2 Like a slave longing for the evening shadows,^(GO)
    or a hired laborer waiting to be paid,^(GP)
3 so I have been allotted months of futility,
    and nights of misery have been assigned to me.^(GQ)
4 When I lie down I think, ‘How long before I get up?’^(GR)
    The night drags on, and I toss and turn until dawn.^(GS)
5 My body is clothed with worms^(GT) and scabs,
    my skin is broken and festering.^(GU)

⁶ “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle,^(GV)
    and they come to an end without hope.^(GW)
7 Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath;^(GX)
    my eyes will never see happiness again.^(GY)
8 The eye that now sees me will see me no longer;
    you will look for me, but I will be no more.^(GZ)
9 As a cloud vanishes^(HA) and is gone,
    so one who goes down to the grave^(HB) does not return.^(HC)
10 He will never come to his house again;
    his place^(HD) will know him no more.^(HE)

¹¹ “Therefore I will not keep silent;^(HF)
    I will speak out in the anguish^(HG) of my spirit,
    I will complain^(HH) in the bitterness of my soul.^(HI)
12 Am I the sea,^(HJ) or the monster of the deep,^(HK)
    that you put me under guard?^(HL)
13 When I think my bed will comfort me
    and my couch will ease my complaint,^(HM)
14 even then you frighten me with dreams
    and terrify^(HN) me with visions,^(HO)
15 so that I prefer strangling and death,^(HP)
    rather than this body of mine.^(HQ)
16 I despise my life;^(HR) I would not live forever.^(HS)
    Let me alone;^(HT) my days have no meaning.^(HU)

¹⁷ “What is mankind that you make so much of them,
    that you give them so much attention,^(HV)
18 that you examine them every morning^(HW)
    and test them^(HX) every moment?^(HY)
19 Will you never look away from me,^(HZ)
    or let me alone even for an instant?^(IA)
20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you,^(IB)
    you who see everything we do?
Why have you made me your target?^(IC)
    Have I become a burden to you?^[e](ID)
21 Why do you not pardon my offenses
    and forgive my sins?^(IE)
For I will soon lie down in the dust;^(IF)
    you will search for me, but I will be no more.”^(IG)

² “How long will you say such things?^(II)
    Your words are a blustering wind.^(IJ)
3 Does God pervert justice?^(IK)
    Does the Almighty pervert what is right?^(IL)
4 When your children sinned against him,
    he gave them over to the penalty of their sin.^(IM)
5 But if you will seek God earnestly
    and plead^(IN) with the Almighty,^(IO)
6 if you are pure and upright,
    even now he will rouse himself on your behalf^(IP)
    and restore you to your prosperous state.^(IQ)
7 Your beginnings will seem humble,
    so prosperous^(IR) will your future be.^(IS)

⁸ “Ask the former generation^(IT)
    and find out what their ancestors learned,
⁹ for we were born only yesterday and know nothing,^(IU)
    and our days on earth are but a shadow.^(IV)
10 Will they not instruct^(IW) you and tell you?
    Will they not bring forth words from their understanding?^(IX)
11 Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh?^(IY)
    Can reeds^(IZ) thrive without water?
¹² While still growing and uncut,
    they wither more quickly than grass.^(JA)
13 Such is the destiny^(JB) of all who forget God;^(JC)
    so perishes the hope of the godless.^(JD)
14 What they trust in is fragile^[f];
    what they rely on is a spider’s web.^(JE)
15 They lean on the web,^(JF) but it gives way;
    they cling to it, but it does not hold.^(JG)
16 They are like a well-watered plant in the sunshine,
    spreading its shoots^(JH) over the garden;^(JI)
17 it entwines its roots around a pile of rocks
    and looks for a place among the stones.
¹⁸ But when it is torn from its spot,
    that place disowns^(JJ) it and says, ‘I never saw you.’^(JK)
19 Surely its life withers^(JL) away,
    and^[g] from the soil other plants grow.^(JM)

²⁰ “Surely God does not reject one who is blameless^(JN)
    or strengthen the hands of evildoers.^(JO)
21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter^(JP)
    and your lips with shouts of joy.^(JQ)
22 Your enemies will be clothed in shame,^(JR)
    and the tents^(JS) of the wicked will be no more.”^(JT)

² “Indeed, I know that this is true.
    But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?^(JU)
3 Though they wished to dispute with him,^(JV)
    they could not answer him one time out of a thousand.^(JW)
4 His wisdom^(JX) is profound, his power is vast.^(JY)
    Who has resisted^(JZ) him and come out unscathed?^(KA)
5 He moves mountains^(KB) without their knowing it
    and overturns them in his anger.^(KC)
6 He shakes the earth^(KD) from its place
    and makes its pillars tremble.^(KE)
7 He speaks to the sun and it does not shine;^(KF)
    he seals off the light of the stars.^(KG)
8 He alone stretches out the heavens^(KH)
    and treads on the waves of the sea.^(KI)
9 He is the Maker^(KJ) of the Bear^[h] and Orion,
    the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.^(KK)
10 He performs wonders^(KL) that cannot be fathomed,
    miracles that cannot be counted.^(KM)
11 When he passes me, I cannot see him;
    when he goes by, I cannot perceive him.^(KN)
12 If he snatches away, who can stop him?^(KO)
    Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’^(KP)
13 God does not restrain his anger;^(KQ)
    even the cohorts of Rahab^(KR) cowered at his feet.

¹⁴ “How then can I dispute with him?
    How can I find words to argue with him?^(KS)
15 Though I were innocent, I could not answer him;^(KT)
    I could only plead^(KU) with my Judge^(KV) for mercy.^(KW)
16 Even if I summoned him and he responded,
    I do not believe he would give me a hearing.^(KX)
17 He would crush me^(KY) with a storm^(KZ)
    and multiply^(LA) my wounds for no reason.^(LB)
18 He would not let me catch my breath
    but would overwhelm me with misery.^(LC)
19 If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty!^(LD)
    And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him^[i]?^(LE)
20 Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me;
    if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty.^(LF)

²¹ “Although I am blameless,^(LG)
    I have no concern for myself;^(LH)
    I despise my own life.^(LI)
22 It is all the same; that is why I say,
    ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’^(LJ)
23 When a scourge^(LK) brings sudden death,
    he mocks the despair of the innocent.^(LL)
24 When a land falls into the hands of the wicked,^(LM)
    he blindfolds its judges.^(LN)
    If it is not he, then who is it?^(LO)

²⁵ “My days are swifter than a runner;^(LP)
    they fly away without a glimpse of joy.^(LQ)
26 They skim past^(LR) like boats of papyrus,^(LS)
    like eagles swooping down on their prey.^(LT)
27 If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint,^(LU)
    I will change my expression, and smile,’
²⁸ I still dread^(LV) all my sufferings,
    for I know you will not hold me innocent.^(LW)
29 Since I am already found guilty,
    why should I struggle in vain?^(LX)
30 Even if I washed myself with soap^(LY)
    and my hands^(LZ) with cleansing powder,^(MA)
31 you would plunge me into a slime pit^(MB)
    so that even my clothes would detest me.^(MC)

³² “He is not a mere mortal^(MD) like me that I might answer him,^(ME)
    that we might confront each other in court.^(MF)
33 If only there were someone to mediate between us,^(MG)
    someone to bring us together,^(MH)
34 someone to remove God’s rod from me,^(MI)
    so that his terror would frighten me no more.^(MJ)
35 Then I would speak up without fear of him,^(MK)
    but as it now stands with me, I cannot.^(ML)

10 “I loathe my very life;^(MM)
    therefore I will give free rein to my complaint
    and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.^(MN)
2 I say to God:^(MO) Do not declare me guilty,
    but tell me what charges^(MP) you have against me.^(MQ)
3 Does it please you to oppress me,^(MR)
    to spurn the work of your hands,^(MS)
    while you smile on the plans of the wicked?^(MT)
4 Do you have eyes of flesh?
    Do you see as a mortal sees?^(MU)
5 Are your days like those of a mortal
    or your years like those of a strong man,^(MV)
6 that you must search out my faults
    and probe after my sin^(MW)—
⁷ though you know that I am not guilty^(MX)
    and that no one can rescue me from your hand?^(MY)

⁸ “Your hands shaped^(MZ) me and made me.
    Will you now turn and destroy me?^(NA)
9 Remember that you molded me like clay.^(NB)
    Will you now turn me to dust again?^(NC)
10 Did you not pour me out like milk
    and curdle me like cheese,
¹¹ clothe me with skin and flesh
    and knit me together^(ND) with bones and sinews?
¹² You gave me life^(NE) and showed me kindness,^(NF)
    and in your providence^(NG) watched over^(NH) my spirit.

¹³ “But this is what you concealed in your heart,
    and I know that this was in your mind:^(NI)
14 If I sinned, you would be watching me^(NJ)
    and would not let my offense go unpunished.^(NK)
15 If I am guilty^(NL)—woe to me!^(NM)
    Even if I am innocent, I cannot lift my head,^(NN)
for I am full of shame
    and drowned in^[j] my affliction.^(NO)
16 If I hold my head high, you stalk me like a lion^(NP)
    and again display your awesome power against me.^(NQ)
17 You bring new witnesses against me^(NR)
    and increase your anger toward me;^(NS)
    your forces come against me wave upon wave.^(NT)

¹⁸ “Why then did you bring me out of the womb?^(NU)
    I wish I had died before any eye saw me.^(NV)
19 If only I had never come into being,
    or had been carried straight from the womb to the grave!^(NW)
20 Are not my few days^(NX) almost over?^(NY)
    Turn away from me^(NZ) so I can have a moment’s joy^(OA)
21 before I go to the place of no return,^(OB)
    to the land of gloom and utter darkness,^(OC)
22 to the land of deepest night,
    of utter darkness^(OD) and disorder,
    where even the light is like darkness.”^(OE)

² “Are all these words to go unanswered?^(OG)
    Is this talker to be vindicated?^(OH)
3 Will your idle talk^(OI) reduce others to silence?
    Will no one rebuke you when you mock?^(OJ)
4 You say to God, ‘My beliefs are flawless^(OK)
    and I am pure^(OL) in your sight.’
⁵ Oh, how I wish that God would speak,^(OM)
    that he would open his lips against you
⁶ and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom,^(ON)
    for true wisdom has two sides.
    Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.^(OO)

⁷ “Can you fathom^(OP) the mysteries of God?
    Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
⁸ They are higher^(OQ) than the heavens^(OR) above—what can you do?
    They are deeper than the depths below^(OS)—what can you know?^(OT)
9 Their measure^(OU) is longer than the earth
    and wider than the sea.^(OV)

¹⁰ “If he comes along and confines you in prison
    and convenes a court, who can oppose him?^(OW)
11 Surely he recognizes deceivers;
    and when he sees evil, does he not take note?^(OX)
12 But the witless can no more become wise
    than a wild donkey’s colt^(OY) can be born human.^[k](OZ)

¹³ “Yet if you devote your heart^(PA) to him
    and stretch out your hands^(PB) to him,^(PC)
14 if you put away^(PD) the sin that is in your hand
    and allow no evil^(PE) to dwell in your tent,^(PF)
15 then, free of fault, you will lift up your face;^(PG)
    you will stand firm^(PH) and without fear.^(PI)
16 You will surely forget your trouble,^(PJ)
    recalling it only as waters gone by.^(PK)
17 Life will be brighter than noonday,^(PL)
    and darkness will become like morning.^(PM)
18 You will be secure, because there is hope;
    you will look about you and take your rest^(PN) in safety.^(PO)
19 You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid,^(PP)
    and many will court your favor.^(PQ)
20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail,^(PR)
    and escape will elude them;^(PS)
    their hope will become a dying gasp.”^(PT)

² “Doubtless you are the only people who matter,
    and wisdom will die with you!^(PU)
3 But I have a mind as well as you;
    I am not inferior to you.
    Who does not know all these things?^(PV)

⁴ “I have become a laughingstock^(PW) to my friends,^(PX)
    though I called on God and he answered^(PY)—
    a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!^(PZ)
5 Those who are at ease have contempt^(QA) for misfortune
    as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.^(QB)
6 The tents of marauders are undisturbed,^(QC)
    and those who provoke God are secure^(QD)—
    those God has in his hand.^[l]

⁷ “But ask the animals, and they will teach you,^(QE)
    or the birds in the sky,^(QF) and they will tell you;^(QG)
8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
    or let the fish in the sea inform you.
⁹ Which of all these does not know^(QH)
    that the hand of the Lord has done this?^(QI)
10 In his hand is the life^(QJ) of every creature
    and the breath of all mankind.^(QK)
11 Does not the ear test words
    as the tongue tastes food?^(QL)
12 Is not wisdom found among the aged?^(QM)
    Does not long life bring understanding?^(QN)

¹³ “To God belong wisdom^(QO) and power;^(QP)
    counsel and understanding are his.^(QQ)
14 What he tears down^(QR) cannot be rebuilt;^(QS)
    those he imprisons cannot be released.^(QT)
15 If he holds back the waters,^(QU) there is drought;^(QV)
    if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.^(QW)
16 To him belong strength and insight;^(QX)
    both deceived and deceiver are his.^(QY)
17 He leads rulers away stripped^(QZ)
    and makes fools of judges.^(RA)
18 He takes off the shackles^(RB) put on by kings
    and ties a loincloth^[m] around their waist.^(RC)
19 He leads priests away stripped^(RD)
    and overthrows officials long established.^(RE)
20 He silences the lips of trusted advisers
    and takes away the discernment of elders.^(RF)
21 He pours contempt on nobles^(RG)
    and disarms the mighty.^(RH)
22 He reveals the deep things of darkness^(RI)
    and brings utter darkness^(RJ) into the light.^(RK)
23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;^(RL)
    he enlarges nations,^(RM) and disperses them.^(RN)
24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;^(RO)
    he makes them wander in a trackless waste.^(RP)
25 They grope in darkness with no light;^(RQ)
    he makes them stagger like drunkards.^(RR)

13 “My eyes have seen all this,^(RS)
    my ears have heard and understood it.