Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, September 7th, 2025
the Week of Proper 18 / Ordinary 23
the Week of Proper 18 / Ordinary 23
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Read the Bible
THE MESSAGE
Job 16:6
"When I speak up, I feel no better; if I say nothing, that doesn't help either. I feel worn down. God, you have wasted me totally—me and my family! You've shriveled me like a dried prune, showing the world that you're against me. My gaunt face stares back at me from the mirror, a mute witness to your treatment of me. Your anger tears at me, your teeth rip me to shreds, your eyes burn holes in me—God, my enemy! People take one look at me and gasp. Contemptuous, they slap me around and gang up against me. And God just stands there and lets them do it, lets wicked people do what they want with me. I was contentedly minding my business when God beat me up. He grabbed me by the neck and threw me around. He set me up as his target, then rounded up archers to shoot at me. Merciless, they shot me full of arrows; bitter bile poured from my gut to the ground. He burst in on me, onslaught after onslaught, charging me like a mad bull.
Jump to:Bible Study Tools • Parallel Bible Verse • Bible Contextual Overview • Bible Cross-References • Gill's Bible Notes • Clarke's Bible Notes • Barnes' Bible Notes
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- CharlesEncyclopedias:
- InternationalParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
If I speak, my suffering is not relieved,and if I hold back, does any of it leave me?
If I speak, my suffering is not relieved,and if I hold back, does any of it leave me?
Hebrew Names Version
"Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?
"Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?
King James Version
Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?
Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?
English Standard Version
"If I speak, my pain is not assuaged, and if I forbear, how much of it leaves me?
"If I speak, my pain is not assuaged, and if I forbear, how much of it leaves me?
New Century Version
"Even if I speak, my pain is not less, and if I don't speak, it still does not go away.
"Even if I speak, my pain is not less, and if I don't speak, it still does not go away.
New English Translation
"But if I speak, my pain is not relieved, and if I refrain from speaking —how much of it goes away?
"But if I speak, my pain is not relieved, and if I refrain from speaking —how much of it goes away?
Amplified Bible
"If I speak [to you miserable comforters], my pain is not relieved; And if I refrain [from speaking], what [pain or anguish] leaves me?
"If I speak [to you miserable comforters], my pain is not relieved; And if I refrain [from speaking], what [pain or anguish] leaves me?
New American Standard Bible
"If I speak, my pain is not lessened, And if I refrain, what pain leaves me?
"If I speak, my pain is not lessened, And if I refrain, what pain leaves me?
World English Bible
"Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?
"Though I speak, my grief is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?
Geneva Bible (1587)
Though I speake, my sorow can not be asswaged: though I cease, what release haue I?
Though I speake, my sorow can not be asswaged: though I cease, what release haue I?
Legacy Standard Bible
"If I speak, my pain is not lessened,And if I cease, what will go forth from me?
"If I speak, my pain is not lessened,And if I cease, what will go forth from me?
Berean Standard Bible
Even if I speak, my pain is not relieved, and if I hold back, how will it go away?
Even if I speak, my pain is not relieved, and if I hold back, how will it go away?
Contemporary English Version
If I speak, or if I don't, I hurt all the same. My torment continues.
If I speak, or if I don't, I hurt all the same. My torment continues.
Complete Jewish Bible
If I speak, my own pain isn't eased; and if I don't speak, it still doesn't leave.
If I speak, my own pain isn't eased; and if I don't speak, it still doesn't leave.
Darby Translation
If I speak, my pain is not assuaged; and if I forbear, what am I eased?
If I speak, my pain is not assuaged; and if I forbear, what am I eased?
Easy-to-Read Version
"Nothing I say makes my pain go away. But keeping quiet does not help either.
"Nothing I say makes my pain go away. But keeping quiet does not help either.
George Lamsa Translation
If I speak, my pain is not assuaged; and if I forbear, who can comfort me?
If I speak, my pain is not assuaged; and if I forbear, who can comfort me?
Good News Translation
But nothing I say helps, and being silent does not calm my pain.
But nothing I say helps, and being silent does not calm my pain.
Lexham English Bible
If I speak, my pain is not relieved; and if I cease, how much will leave me?
If I speak, my pain is not relieved; and if I cease, how much will leave me?
Literal Translation
If I speak, my pain is not held back; and though I forbear, what goes from me?
If I speak, my pain is not held back; and though I forbear, what goes from me?
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
But what shall I do? For all my wordes, my sorow wil not ceasse: and though I holde my toge, yet wil it not departe fro me.
But what shall I do? For all my wordes, my sorow wil not ceasse: and though I holde my toge, yet wil it not departe fro me.
American Standard Version
Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged; And though I forbear, what am I eased?
Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged; And though I forbear, what am I eased?
Bible in Basic English
If I say what is in my mind, my pain becomes no less: and if I keep quiet, how much of it goes from me?
If I say what is in my mind, my pain becomes no less: and if I keep quiet, how much of it goes from me?
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Though I speak, my pain is not assuaged; and though I forbear, what am I eased?
Though I speak, my pain is not assuaged; and though I forbear, what am I eased?
King James Version (1611)
Though I speake, my griefe is not asswaged: and though I forbeare; what am I eased?
Though I speake, my griefe is not asswaged: and though I forbeare; what am I eased?
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For all my wordes my sorowe wyll not ceasse: And though I holde my tongue, what am I eased?
For all my wordes my sorowe wyll not ceasse: And though I holde my tongue, what am I eased?
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And would there were strength in my mouth, and I would not spare the movement of my lips.
And would there were strength in my mouth, and I would not spare the movement of my lips.
English Revised Version
Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?
Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
But what schal Y do? If Y speke, my sorewe restith not; and if Y am stille, it goith not awei fro me.
But what schal Y do? If Y speke, my sorewe restith not; and if Y am stille, it goith not awei fro me.
Update Bible Version
Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged; And though I forbear, what am I eased?
Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged; And though I forbear, what am I eased?
Webster's Bible Translation
Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged: and [though] I forbear, what am I eased?
Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged: and [though] I forbear, what am I eased?
New King James Version
"Though I speak, my grief is not relieved; And if I remain silent, how am I eased?
"Though I speak, my grief is not relieved; And if I remain silent, how am I eased?
New Living Translation
Instead, I suffer if I defend myself, and I suffer no less if I refuse to speak.
Instead, I suffer if I defend myself, and I suffer no less if I refuse to speak.
New Life Bible
"If I speak, my pain is not made less. And if I keep quiet, it does not leave me.
"If I speak, my pain is not made less. And if I keep quiet, it does not leave me.
New Revised Standard
"If I speak, my pain is not assuaged, and if I forbear, how much of it leaves me?
"If I speak, my pain is not assuaged, and if I forbear, how much of it leaves me?
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Though I do speak, unassuaged is my stinging pain, - And, if I forbear, of what am I relieved?
Though I do speak, unassuaged is my stinging pain, - And, if I forbear, of what am I relieved?
Douay-Rheims Bible
(16-7) But what shall I do? If I speak, my pain will not rest: and if I hold my peace, it will not depart from me.
(16-7) But what shall I do? If I speak, my pain will not rest: and if I hold my peace, it will not depart from me.
Revised Standard Version
"If I speak, my pain is not assuaged, and if I forbear, how much of it leaves me?
"If I speak, my pain is not assuaged, and if I forbear, how much of it leaves me?
Young's Literal Translation
If I speak, my pain is not restrained, And I cease -- what goeth from me?
If I speak, my pain is not restrained, And I cease -- what goeth from me?
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"If I speak, my pain is not lessened, And if I hold back, what has left me?
"If I speak, my pain is not lessened, And if I hold back, what has left me?
Contextual Overview
6"When I speak up, I feel no better; if I say nothing, that doesn't help either. I feel worn down. God, you have wasted me totally—me and my family! You've shriveled me like a dried prune, showing the world that you're against me. My gaunt face stares back at me from the mirror, a mute witness to your treatment of me. Your anger tears at me, your teeth rip me to shreds, your eyes burn holes in me—God, my enemy! People take one look at me and gasp. Contemptuous, they slap me around and gang up against me. And God just stands there and lets them do it, lets wicked people do what they want with me. I was contentedly minding my business when God beat me up. He grabbed me by the neck and threw me around. He set me up as his target, then rounded up archers to shoot at me. Merciless, they shot me full of arrows; bitter bile poured from my gut to the ground. He burst in on me, onslaught after onslaught, charging me like a mad bull. 15"I sewed myself a shroud and wore it like a shirt; I lay facedown in the dirt. Now my face is blotched red from weeping; look at the dark shadows under my eyes, Even though I've never hurt a soul and my prayers are sincere!
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
my grief: Job 10:1, Psalms 77:1-9, Psalms 88:15-18
what am I eased: Heb. what goeth from me
Reciprocal: Job 7:11 - I will not
Cross-References
Genesis 16:9
The angel of God said, "Go back to your mistress. Put up with her abuse." He continued, "I'm going to give you a big family, children past counting. From this pregnancy, you'll get a son: Name him Ishmael; for God heard you, God answered you. He'll be a bucking bronco of a man, a real fighter, fighting and being fought, Always stirring up trouble, always at odds with his family."
The angel of God said, "Go back to your mistress. Put up with her abuse." He continued, "I'm going to give you a big family, children past counting. From this pregnancy, you'll get a son: Name him Ishmael; for God heard you, God answered you. He'll be a bucking bronco of a man, a real fighter, fighting and being fought, Always stirring up trouble, always at odds with his family."
Genesis 24:10
The servant took ten of his master's camels and, loaded with gifts from his master, traveled to Aram Naharaim and the city of Nahor. Outside the city, he made the camels kneel at a well. It was evening, the time when the women came to draw water. He prayed, "O God , God of my master Abraham, make things go smoothly this day; treat my master Abraham well! As I stand here by the spring while the young women of the town come out to get water, let the girl to whom I say, ‘Lower your jug and give me a drink,' and who answers, ‘Drink, and let me also water your camels'—let her be the woman you have picked out for your servant Isaac. Then I'll know that you're working graciously behind the scenes for my master."
The servant took ten of his master's camels and, loaded with gifts from his master, traveled to Aram Naharaim and the city of Nahor. Outside the city, he made the camels kneel at a well. It was evening, the time when the women came to draw water. He prayed, "O God , God of my master Abraham, make things go smoothly this day; treat my master Abraham well! As I stand here by the spring while the young women of the town come out to get water, let the girl to whom I say, ‘Lower your jug and give me a drink,' and who answers, ‘Drink, and let me also water your camels'—let her be the woman you have picked out for your servant Isaac. Then I'll know that you're working graciously behind the scenes for my master."
Exodus 2:15
Pharaoh heard about it and tried to kill Moses, but Moses got away to the land of Midian. He sat down by a well.
Pharaoh heard about it and tried to kill Moses, but Moses got away to the land of Midian. He sat down by a well.
Job 2:6
God said, "All right. Go ahead—you can do what you like with him. But mind you, don't kill him."
God said, "All right. Go ahead—you can do what you like with him. But mind you, don't kill him."
Proverbs 14:29
Slowness to anger makes for deep understanding; a quick-tempered person stockpiles stupidity.
Slowness to anger makes for deep understanding; a quick-tempered person stockpiles stupidity.
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.
A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.
Proverbs 27:8
People who won't settle down, wandering hither and yon, are like restless birds, flitting to and fro.
People who won't settle down, wandering hither and yon, are like restless birds, flitting to and fro.
Proverbs 29:19
It takes more than talk to keep workers in line; mere words go in one ear and out the other.
It takes more than talk to keep workers in line; mere words go in one ear and out the other.
Ecclesiastes 10:4
If a ruler loses his temper against you, don't panic; A calm disposition quiets intemperate rage.
If a ruler loses his temper against you, don't panic; A calm disposition quiets intemperate rage.
Jeremiah 38:5
King Zedekiah caved in: "If you say so. Go ahead, handle it your way. You're too much for me."
King Zedekiah caved in: "If you say so. Go ahead, handle it your way. You're too much for me."
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged,.... Though he spoke to God in prayer, and entreated for some abatement of his sorrows, he got no relief; and though he spoke to himself in soliloquies, his sorrow was not repressed nor lessened; he could not administer comfort to himself in the present case, though he might to others in like circumstances, if his own were changed;
and [though] I forbear speaking, hold my peace, and say nothing,
what am I eased? or "what goes from me" t? not anything of my trouble or grief; sometimes a man speaking of his troubles to his friends gives vent to his grief, and he is somewhat eased; and on the other hand being silent about it, he forgets it, and it goes off; but in neither of those ways could Job be released: or it may be his sense is, that when he spake of his affliction, and attempted to vindicate his character, he was represented as an impatient and passionate man, if not as blasphemous, so that his grief was rather increased than assuaged; and if he was silent, that was interpreted a consciousness of his guilt; so that, let him take what course he would, it was much the same, he could get no ease nor comfort.
t מה מני יחלך "quid a me abit", Junius & Tremellius, Schultens.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged - “But for me, it makes now no difference whether I speak or am silent. My sufferings continue. If I attempt to vindicate myself before people, I am reproached; and equally so if I am silent. If I maintain my cause before God, it avails me nothing, for my sufferings continue. If I am silent, and submit without a complaint, they are the same. Neither silence, nor argument, nor entreaty, avail me before God or man. I am doomed to suffering.”
What am I eased? - Margin. “Goeth from me.” Literally, “what goeth from me?” The sense is, that it all availed nothing.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Job 16:6. Though I speak — But it will be of no avail thus to speak; for reprehensions of your conduct will not serve to mitigate my sufferings.
