Job 18:2–4

2 “When will you end these speeches?

Be sensible, and then we can talk.

3 Why are we regarded as cattle

and considered stupid in your sight?

4 You who tear yourself to pieces in your anger,

is the earth to be abandoned for your sake?

Or must the rocks be moved from their place?

2 “How long will you hunt for words?

Consider, and then we will speak.

3 Why are we counted as cattle?

Why are we stupid in your sight?

4 You who tear yourself in your anger,

shall the earth be forsaken for you,

or the rock be removed out of its place?

2 How long will it be ere ye make an end of words?

Mark, and afterwards we will speak.

3 Wherefore are we counted as beasts,

And reputed vile in your sight?

4 He teareth himself in his anger:

Shall the earth be forsaken for thee?

And shall the rock be removed out of his place?

2 “How long before you stop talking?

Speak sense if you want us to answer!

3 Do you think we are mere animals?

Do you think we are stupid?

4 You may tear out your hair in anger,

but will that destroy the earth?

Will it make the rocks tremble?

2 “How long till you put an end to words?

Gain understanding, and afterward we will speak.

3 Why are we counted as beasts,

And regarded as stupid in your sight?

4 You who tear yourself in anger,

Shall the earth be forsaken for you?

Or shall the rock be removed from its place?

2 “When will you stop these speeches?

Be sensible, and then we can talk.

3 You think of us as cattle,

as if we are stupid.

4 You tear yourself to pieces in your anger.

Should the earth be vacant just for you?

Should the rocks move from their places?

2 How long will ye hunt for words?

Consider, and afterwards we will speak.

3 Wherefore are we counted as beasts,

And are become unclean in your sight?

4 Thou that tearest thyself in thine anger,

Shall the earth be forsaken for thee?

Or shall the rock be removed out of its place?

2 How long will ye hunt for words? Be intelligent, and then we will speak. 3 Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and reputed stupid in your sight? 4 Thou that tearest thyself in thine anger, shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of its place?

2 “How long before your words will end? 

Think it through, and then we’ll talk. 

3 Why do you think of us as cattle? 

Why are we considered stupid in your eyes? 

4 Why do you rip yourself apart in anger? 

Should the earth be abandoned for your sake 

or a boulder be dislodged? 

2 How long until you stop talking?

Show some sense, and then we can talk.

3 Why are we regarded as cattle,

as stupid in your sight?

4 You who tear yourself in anger —

should the earth be abandoned on your account,

or a rock be removed from its place?

2 “How long will you hunt for words?

Consider, and then we shall speak.

3 Why are we counted as cattle?

Why are we stupid in your sight?

4 You who tear yourself in your anger—

shall the earth be forsaken because of you

or the rock be removed out of its place?

2 “How long will you hunt for words?

Consider, and afterward we shall speak.

3 Why are we considered as animals?

Why are we taken as stupid in your eyes?

4 “You who are tearing yourself in your anger,

will the earth be forsaken because of you?

Or will the rock be removed from its place?

2 “Job, when will you stop these speeches of yours?

Be reasonable! Then we can talk.

3 Why do you look at us as if we were cattle?

Why do you think of us as being stupid?

4 Your anger is tearing you to pieces.

Does the earth have to be deserted just to prove you are right?

Must all of the rocks be moved from their places?