Job 5
Complete Jewish Bible
5 “Call if you like, but will anyone answer?
To which of the holy ones will you turn?
2 For anger kills the fool,
and envy slays the silly.
3 I watch as a fool establishes roots,
but I curse his home with sudden [destruction] —
4 his children are far from help,
publicly humiliated, with no one to rescue;
5 the hungry eat up his harvest,
taking it even from among thorns,
while the thirsty are panting,
eager to swallow his wealth.
6 For misery does not come from the dust
or trouble spring from the ground.
7 No, people are born for trouble
as surely as sparks fly upward.
8 “If I were you, I would seek God;
I would make my plea to him.
9 For God does great deeds beyond investigation,
wonders beyond all reckoning.
10 He gives rain to the earth,
pours water down on the fields.
11 He raises the lowly on high
and lifts mourners to safety.
12 He frustrates the schemes of the cunning,
so that they achieve no success;
13 trapping the crafty in their own tricks
and foiling quickly the plans of the false.
14 They meet with darkness during the day,
groping at noon like at night.
15 But he saves the poor from the sword, their mouth,
and from the clutches of the strong;
16 so the poor can hope again;
and injustice shuts its mouth.
17 “How happy the person whom God corrects!
So don’t despise Shaddai’s discipline.
18 For he wounds, but he bandages the sore;
his hands may strike, but they also heal.
19 He will rescue you from six disasters;
yes, in seven no harm will touch you.
20 In famine, he will save you from death,
and in war, from the power of the sword.
21 You will be shielded from the lash of the tongue,
and you won’t have to fear destruction when it comes —
22 you’ll be able to laugh at destruction and famine.
Also you won’t have to fear wild animals,
23 for you will be in league with the stones in the field,
and the wild animals will be at peace with you.
24 You will know that your tent is safe;
you will look round your home and miss nothing.
25 You will know that your descendants are many,
your offspring like grass [growing thick] in the fields.
26 You will come to your grave at a ripe old age,
like a pile of grain that arrives in season.
27 “We’ve looked into this, and that’s how it is;
listen, and know that it’s for your own good.”
Job 5
New Life Version
Eliphaz Keeps On Talking
5 “Call now. Is there anyone who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn? 2 To be bitter kills the foolish man, and jealousy kills the child-like. 3 I have seen the fool taking root, but right away his house was cursed. 4 His sons are far from being safe. They are destroyed in the gate, and there is no one to help them. 5 The hungry eat the food of his field. They take it even out of the thorns. And the thirsty want his riches. 6 For suffering does not come from the dust. Trouble does not grow out of the ground. 7 But man is born to trouble, as fire goes up.
8 “But as for me, I would look to God. I would put my troubles before God. 9 He does great things, too great for us to understand. He does too many wonderful things for us to number. 10 He gives rain on the earth and sends water on the fields. 11 He puts those who are in low places up to high places. Those who are filled with sorrow are lifted to where they are safe. 12 He troubles the plans of those who try to fool people, so that their hands cannot do what they plan. 13 God gets them into a trap when they use their own wisdom. And the plans of the wise are brought to a quick end. 14 They meet with darkness during the day, and feel their way at noon as in the night. 15 But He saves from the sword those in need. He saves the poor from the power of the strong. 16 So those who have no hope, have hope, and what is not right and good must shut its mouth.
17 “See, happy is the man to whom God speaks strong words. So do not hate the strong teaching of the All-powerful. 18 He punishes, but He gives comfort. He hurts, but His hands heal. 19 He will take you out of six troubles. Yes, in seven, nothing will hurt you. 20 He will keep you from death in times of no food, and from the power of the sword in war. 21 You will be hidden from the punishment of the tongue. You will not be afraid of being destroyed when danger comes. 22 You will laugh at danger and times of no food. And you will not be afraid of wild animals. 23 For you will be in agreement with the stones of the field. And the animals of the field will be at peace with you. 24 You will know that your tent is safe. You will look over what you have and see that nothing is gone. 25 You will know also that your children and children’s children will be many. They will be as the grass of the earth. 26 You will come to the grave in full strength, like the grain gathered in when it is time. 27 See, this is what we have found, and it is true. Hear it, and know for yourself.”
Copyright © 1998 by David H. Stern. All rights reserved.
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