Job 20:2–4

2 “My troubled thoughts prompt me to answer

because I am greatly disturbed.

3 I hear a rebuke that dishonors me,

and my understanding inspires me to reply.

4 “Surely you know how it has been from of old,

ever since mankind was placed on the earth,

2 “Therefore my thoughts answer me,

because of my haste within me.

3 I hear censure that insults me,

and out of my understanding a spirit answers me.

4 Do you not know this from of old,

since man was placed on earth,

2 “I must reply

because I am greatly disturbed.

3 I’ve had to endure your insults,

but now my spirit prompts me to reply.

4 “Don’t you realize that from the beginning of time,

ever since people were first placed on the earth,

2 “Therefore my anxious thoughts make me answer,

Because of the turmoil within me.

3 I have heard the rebuke that reproaches me,

And the spirit of my understanding causes me to answer.

4 “Do you not know this of old,

Since man was placed on earth,

2 “My troubled thoughts cause me to answer,

because I am very upset.

3 You correct me and I am insulted,

but I understand how to answer you.

4 “You know how it has been for a long time,

ever since people were first put on the earth.

2 Therefore do my thoughts give answer to me,

Even by reason of my haste that is in me.

3 I have heard the reproof which putteth me to shame;

And the spirit of my understanding answereth me.

4 Knowest thou not this of old time,

Since man was placed upon earth,

2 Therefore do my thoughts give me an answer, and for this is my haste within me. 3 I hear a reproof putting me to shame; and my spirit answereth me by mine understanding. 4 Knowest thou not this, that of old, since man was placed upon earth,

2 “My disturbing thoughts make me answer, 

and because of them I am upset. 

3 I have heard criticism that makes me ashamed, 

but a spirit beyond my understanding gives me answers. 

4 “Don’t you know 

that from ancient times, 

from the time humans were placed on earth, 

2 This is why my unsettling thoughts compel me to answer,

because I am upset!

3 I have heard a rebuke that insults me,

and my understanding makes me reply.

4 Don’t you know that ever since antiquity,

from the time man was placed on earth,

2 “Listen! My thoughts urge me to answer

because of the agitation within me.

3 I hear censure that insults me,

and a spirit beyond my understanding answers me.

4 Do you not know this from of old,

ever since mortals were placed on earth,

2 “Therefore my disquieting thoughts bring me back

for the sake of my inward excitement.

3 I hear discipline that insults me,

and a spirit beyond my understanding answers me.

4 “Did you know this from of old,

since the setting of the human being on earth,

2 “My troubled thoughts force me to answer you.

That’s because I’m very upset.

3 What you have just said makes fun of me.

So I really have to reply to you.

4 “I’m sure you must know how things have always been.

They’ve been that way

ever since man was placed on this earth.

2 “Therefore my disquieting thoughts make me respond,

Even because of my inward agitation.

3 “I listened to the reproof which insults me,

And the spirit of my understanding makes me answer.

4 “Do you know this from of old,

From the establishment of man on earth,