Job 5
Easy-to-Read Version
5 “Job, call out if you want, and see if anyone answers!
But to which of the angels will you turn?
2 A fool’s anger will kill him.
His jealousy will destroy him.
3 I saw a fool who thought he was safe,
but suddenly he died.[a]
4 There was no one to help his children.
No one defended them in court.
5 Hungry people ate all his crops,
even the grain growing among the thorns,
and greedy people took all he had.
6 Bad times don’t come up from the dirt.
Trouble does not grow from the ground.
7 But people are born to have trouble,
as surely as sparks rise from a fire.
8 If I were you, I would turn to God
and tell him about my problems.
9 People cannot understand the wonderful things God does.
His miracles are too many to count.
10 He sends rain all over the earth
and waters the fields.
11 He raises up the humble
and makes sad people happy.
12 He spoils the plans of even the smartest people
so that they will not succeed.
13 He catches those who think they are wise in their own clever traps
and brings to an end their evil plans.
14 Daylight will be like darkness for them.
Even at noon they will have to feel their way as in the dark.
15 God saves the poor from the hurtful words of the wicked.
He saves them from those who are powerful.
16 So the poor have hope;
God shuts the mouths of those who would cause them harm.
17 “You are fortunate when God corrects you.
So don’t complain when God All-Powerful punishes you.
18 God might injure you, but he will bandage those wounds.
He might hurt you, but his hands also heal.
19 He will save you again and again.
No evil will harm you.[b]
20 God will save you from death
when there is famine.
He will protect you from the sword
when there is war.
21 People might say bad things about you with their sharp tongues.
But God will protect you.
You will not be afraid when bad things happen!
22 You will laugh at destruction and famine.
You will not be afraid of wild animals!
23 It is as if you have a peace treaty
with the wild animals and the rocks in the field.
24 You will live in peace because your tent is safe.
You will count your property and find nothing missing.
25 You will have many children.
They will be as many as the blades of grass on the earth.
26 You will be like the wheat that grows until harvest time.
Yes, you will live to a ripe old age.
27 “We have studied this and know it is true.
So listen to us, and learn for yourself.”
Job 5
English Standard Version
5 “Call now; is there anyone who will answer you?
To which of (A)the holy ones will you turn?
2 Surely vexation kills the fool,
and jealousy slays the simple.
3 (B)I have seen the fool taking root,
but suddenly I cursed his dwelling.
4 His children are (C)far from safety;
they are crushed in (D)the gate,
and there is no one to deliver them.
5 The hungry eat his harvest,
and he takes it even out of thorns,[a]
and the thirsty pant[b] after his[c] wealth.
6 For affliction does not come from the dust,
nor does trouble sprout from the ground,
7 but man is (E)born to trouble
as the sparks fly upward.
8 “As for me, I would seek God,
and to God would I commit my cause,
9 who (F)does great things and (G)unsearchable,
(H)marvelous things without number:
10 he gives (I)rain on the earth
and sends waters on the fields;
11 he (J)sets on high those who are lowly,
and those who mourn are lifted to safety.
12 He (K)frustrates the devices of the crafty,
so that their hands achieve no success.
13 He (L)catches the wise in their own craftiness,
and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end.
14 They meet with darkness in the daytime
and (M)grope at noonday as in the night.
15 But he (N)saves the needy from the sword of their mouth
and from the hand of the mighty.
16 So the poor have hope,
and (O)injustice shuts her mouth.
17 “Behold, (P)blessed is the one whom God reproves;
therefore (Q)despise not the discipline of the (R)Almighty.
18 For he wounds, but he (S)binds up;
he (T)shatters, but his hands heal.
19 He will (U)deliver you from six troubles;
in seven no (V)evil[d] shall touch you.
20 (W)In famine he will redeem you from death,
and in war from the power of the sword.
21 You shall be (X)hidden from the lash of the tongue,
and shall not fear destruction when it comes.
22 At destruction and famine you shall laugh,
and shall not fear (Y)the beasts of the earth.
23 For you shall be in league with the stones of the field,
and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you.
24 You shall know that your (Z)tent is at peace,
and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing.
25 You shall know also that your (AA)offspring shall be many,
and your descendants as (AB)the grass of the earth.
26 You shall come to your grave in (AC)ripe old age,
like a sheaf gathered up in its season.
27 Behold, this we have (AD)searched out; it is true.
Hear, and know it for your good.”[e]
Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
