job.I   •   job's first speech   •   based on job 3
Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived.
Job 3:3 • King James Version

Job's Lament

Let the day of my birth disappear from the earth;
how I wish I had never been born!
You don't know how I'm grieved that my mother conceived,
and I hold my conception in scorn.
job.II   •   Eliphaz's first response to job, part 1   •   based on job 4
​Will you get offended if somebody tries to talk to you?
Who can keep from speaking at a time like this?
Look! You’ve admonished many people,
and you’ve strengthened feeble hands.
Job 4:2-3 • International Standard Version

You Reap What You Sow

​Will you find my words too distressing?
Regardless — I really must speak.
For you've been to many a blessing,
and strengthened the hands of the weak.
job.III   •   eliphaz's first response to job, part 2   •   based on job 5
Call out if you please, but who will answer?
To which of the holy ones will you turn?
For resentment kills a fool,
and envy slays the simple.
Job 5:1-2 • Berean Study Bible

God is Just

​​Cry out, but will anyone answer?
For which of your saints could explain?
Resentment will kill fools like cancer;
from envy the simple are slain.
job.IV   •   job's second speech: A response to eliphaz   •   based on job 6
Oh that my grief were actually weighed
And laid in the balances together with my calamity!
For then it would be heavier than the sand of the seas;
Therefore my words have been rash.
Job 6:2-3 • New American Standard

With Friends Like These

​If my grief could be laid on the scales to be weighed,
with my troubles — how great would they be?
Its no wonder my words have been rash and absurd — 
 they'd outweigh all the sand in the sea.
job.V   •   job cries out to god   •   based on job 7
​Is not all human life a struggle?
Our lives are like that of a hired hand,
like a worker who longs for the shade,
like a servant waiting to be paid.
Job 7:1-2 • New Living Translation

Life is Hard

​​Life is hard here on earth and we're working since birth;
do we not live our lives as a slave?
Like one longing for shade or who hopes to be paid;
what is life — but a foot in the grave.
job.VI   •   Bildad's first response to Job   •   based on job 8 
​How long will you say such things?
​Your words are a blustering wind.
Job 8: 2 • New International Version

It ain't God . . . it's YOU

How long will you bluster? How long will you blow?
Like wind, without sense, blasting words to and fro.
job.VII   •   Job's third speech: a response to bildad   •   based on job 9
Indeed, I know that this is true.
But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?
Though they wished to dispute with him,
they could not answer him one time out of a thousand.
Job 9: 2-3 • New International Version

The Arbiter

You have said nothing new, for I know this is true.
Are my morals so different than God's?
If I filed a tort, could I answer in court
when a thousand-to-one are my odds?
job.viii   •   job's plea to god   •   based on job 10
I am disgusted with my life.
Let me complain freely.
My bitter soul must complain.
I will say to God, ‘Don’t simply condemn me— 
tell me the charge you are bringing against me.'
Job 10:1-2 • New Living Translation

Created for This?

I am weary of life. I'll complain of this strife;
let my soul, so embittered, cry out.
And to God, let me say, Don't condemn me this way,
let me know what my charge is about.
job.IX   •   zophar's first response to Job   •   Based on job 11
Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words?
Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking?
Should I remain silent while you babble on?
When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed?
Job 11:2-3 • New Living Translation

More Grace than Deserved

If the stream from your mouth went unanswered, we'd drown!
Do you think that your volume of words makes you right?
Should your babbling cause men to sit by without sound,
and your mocking persist without even a fight? 
job.X   •   Job's fourth speech: A response to zophar   •   based on job 12
You people really know everything, don’t you?
And when you die, wisdom will die with you!
Well, I know a few things myself— 
and you’re no better than I am.
Who doesn’t know these things you’ve been saying?
Job 12:2-3 • New Living Translation

God is Great

You're the people, no doubt. Know it inside and out.
And all wisdom will perish with you!
But I know things, you see; you're no better than me.
Do you think that these things are brand new?
JOb.xi   •   Job responds to his critics   •   based on job 13
Look, I have seen all this with my own eyes
and heard it with my own ears, and now I understand.
I know as much as you do.
You are no better than I am.
Job 13:1-2 • New Living Translation

Maxims and Proverbs

All I've seen makes it clear, as does all that I hear;
now I know — and my senses agree.
I'm exactly like you, know the same things you do;
​as I've said, you're no better than me
job.xii   •   Job speaks to the finality of death   •   based on job 14
Man who is born of a woman
is few of days and full of trouble.
He comes out like a flower and withers;
he flees like a shadow and continues not.
Job 14:1-2 • English Standard Version

Till Death

​Born of woman, is man with a limited span,
but a lifetime of trouble and pain.
He will blossom one day and then wither away;
like a shadow that doesn't remain.
Job.xiii   •   eliphaz's second response to job   •   based on job 15
Would a wise person answer with empty notions
or fill their belly with the hot east wind?
Would they argue with useless words,
with speeches that have no value?
Job 15:2-3 • New International Version

You Presume Too Much

​Would a wise man respond with such notions​,
or inhale the hot wind from the east?
If he argued with empty emotions,
then what good are his words in the least?
job.xiv   •   job's fifth speech: A response to eliphaz   •   based on job 16
I have heard many such things;
Sorry comforters are you all.
Is there no limit to windy words?
Or what plagues you that you answer?
Job 16:2-3 • New American Standard Bible

Les Miserables

I've heard all this before​ and can't take anymore;
there's no sorrier comfort than you!
Will you not stem the flow of this hot air you blow?
​What compels you to bleat like you do?
job.xv   •   job contemplates death   •   based on job 17
My spirit is crushed,
and my life is nearly snuffed out.
The grave is ready to receive me.
I am surrounded by mockers.
I watch how bitterly they taunt me.
Job 17:1-2 • New Living Translation

Job: A Byword

O, my spirit is crushed, and I'll soon turn to dust;
how my soul longs for rest in the grave.
Crowds surround me and jeer, and they taunt me and sneer;
and I gaze at the ways they behave.
job.xvi   •   bildad's second response to Job   •   based on job 18
When will you end these speeches?
Be sensible, and then we can talk.
Job 18:2 • New International Version

Wicked Ways

How long till you end all these speeches you squawk?
If you made more sense then we finally could talk.
job.xvii   •   job's sixth speech: a response to bildad   •   based on job 19
How long will you torture me?
How long will you try to crush me with your words?
You have already insulted me ten times.
You should be ashamed of treating me so badly.
Job 19:2-3 • New Living Translation

By the Skin of my Teeth

Will your torture go on with the hurt your lips spawn?
You have crushed me with words since you came.
You've reproached me ten times with the most heinous crimes;
​you mistreat me yet still have no shame?

Job • The Poetry of Job

Job.I • Job's First Speech
[2019]  based on Job 3

Job's Lament

Let the day of my birth disappear from the earth;
how I wish I had never been born!
You don't know how I'm grieved that my mother conceived,
and I hold my conception in scorn.
Job.II • Eliphaz's First Response to Job, part 1
[2019]  based on Job 4

You Reap What You Sow

Will you find my words too distressing?
Regardless — I really must speak.
For you've been to many a blessing,
and strengthened the hands of the weak.
Job.III • Eliphaz's First Response to Job, part 2
[2019]  based on Job 5

God is Just

​Cry out, but will anyone answer?
For which of your saints could explain?
Resentment will kill fools like cancer;
from envy the simple are slain.
Job.IV • Job's Second Speech: A Response to Eliphaz
[2019]  based on Job 6

With Friends Like These

​If my grief could be laid on the scales to be weighed,
with my troubles — how great would they be?
Its no wonder my words have been rash and absurd — 
 they'd outweigh all the sand in the sea.
Job.V • Job Cries Out to God
[2019]  based on Job 7

Life is Hard

​Life is hard here on earth and we're working since birth;
do we not live our lives as a slave?
Like one longing for shade or who hopes to be paid;
what is life — but a foot in the grave.
Job.VI • Bildad's First Response to Job
[2019]  based on Job 8

It ain't God . . . it's YOU

​How long will you bluster? How long will you blow?
Like wind, without sense, blasting words to and fro.
Job.VII • Job's Third Speech: A Response to Bildad
[2019]  based on Job 9

The Arbiter

You have said nothing new, for I know this is true.
Are my morals so different than God's?
If I filed a tort, could I answer in court
when a thousand-to-one are my odds?
Job.VIII • Job's Plea to God
[2019]  based on Job 10

Created For This?

I am weary of life, and worn down with this strife.
Let my soul, so embittered, cry out.
And to God, let me say, Don't condemn me this way,
let me know what my charge is about.