Job 5
International Children’s Bible
5 “Call if you want to, but no one will answer you.
You can’t turn to any of the holy ones.
2 Foolish anger kills a person.
And jealousy kills a weak-minded person.
3 I have seen a fool have success like a tree taking root.
But suddenly his home was destroyed.
4 His children are far away from safety.
They are crushed in court with no one to defend them.
5 Hungry people eat this fool’s harvest.
They even take what grew up among the thorns.
And thirsty people want his wealth.
6 Hard times do not come up from the ground.
And trouble does not grow from the earth.
7 But man is born to have trouble
as surely as sparks fly upward.
8 “But if I were you, I would call on God.
I would bring my problem before him.
9 God does wonderful things that cannot be understood.
He does so many miracles they cannot be counted.
10 God gives rain to the earth.
He sends water on the fields.
11 God makes the humble person important.
He lifts to places of safety those who are sad.
12 God ruins the plans of those who trick others.
Then they have no success.
13 He catches wise men in their own clever traps.
And the plans of those who try to trick others are swept away.
14 Darkness covers them up in the daytime.
At noon they feel around in the dark.
15 God saves needy people from their lies.
He saves them from the harm done by powerful people.
16 So the poor people have hope.
And those who are unfair are silenced.
17 “The person whom God corrects is happy.
So do not hate being corrected by God All-Powerful.
18 God hurts, but he also bandages up.
He injures, but his hands also heal.
19 He will save you from six troubles.
Even seven troubles will not harm you.
20 God will buy you back from death in times of hunger.
And in battle he will save you from death by the sword.
21 You will be hidden from the tongue that hits like a whip.
You will not need to be afraid when destruction comes.
22 You will laugh at destruction and hunger.
You do not need to fear the wild animals.
23 This is because you will have an agreement with the animals born in the wild.
And the wild animals will be at peace with you.
24 You will know that your tent is safe.
You will check the things you own and find nothing missing.
25 You will know that you will have many children.
Your descendants will be as many as the blades of grass on the earth.
26 You will come to the grave with all your strength.
You will be like bundles of grain gathered at the right time.
27 “We have checked this, and it is true.
So hear it and decide what it means to you.”
Job 5
The Message
Don’t Blame Fate When Things Go Wrong
5 1-7 “Call for help, Job, if you think anyone will answer!
To which of the holy angels will you turn?
The hot temper of a fool eventually kills him,
the jealous anger of an idiot does her in.
I’ve seen it myself—seen fools putting down roots,
and then, suddenly, their houses are cursed.
Their children out in the cold, abused and exploited,
with no one to stick up for them.
Hungry people off the street plunder their harvests,
cleaning them out completely, taking thorns and all,
insatiable for everything they have.
Don’t blame fate when things go wrong—
trouble doesn’t come from nowhere.
It’s human! Mortals are born and bred for trouble,
as certainly as sparks fly upward.
What a Blessing When God Corrects You!
8-16 “If I were in your shoes, I’d go straight to God,
I’d throw myself on the mercy of God.
After all, he’s famous for great and unexpected acts;
there’s no end to his surprises.
He gives rain, for instance, across the wide earth,
sends water to irrigate the fields.
He raises up the down-and-out,
gives firm footing to those sinking in grief.
He aborts the schemes of conniving crooks,
so that none of their plots come to term.
He catches the know-it-alls in their conspiracies—
all that intricate intrigue swept out with the trash!
Suddenly they’re disoriented, plunged into darkness;
they can’t see to put one foot in front of the other.
But the downtrodden are saved by God,
saved from the murderous plots, saved from the iron fist.
And so the poor continue to hope,
while injustice is bound and gagged.
17-19 “So, what a blessing when God steps in and corrects you!
Mind you, don’t despise the discipline of Almighty God!
True, he wounds, but he also dresses the wound;
the same hand that hurts you, heals you.
From one disaster after another he delivers you;
no matter what the calamity, the evil can’t touch you—
20-26 “In famine, he’ll keep you from starving,
in war, from being gutted by the sword.
You’ll be protected from vicious gossip
and live fearless through any catastrophe.
You’ll shrug off disaster and famine,
and stroll fearlessly among wild animals.
You’ll be on good terms with rocks and mountains;
wild animals will become your good friends.
You’ll know that your place on earth is safe,
you’ll look over your goods and find nothing amiss.
You’ll see your children grow up,
your family lovely and graceful as orchard grass.
You’ll arrive at your grave ripe with many good years,
like sheaves of golden grain at harvest.
27 “Yes, this is the way things are—my word of honor!
Take it to heart and you won’t go wrong.”
The Holy Bible, International Children’s Bible® Copyright© 1986, 1988, 1999, 2015 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson