Job 16:4–5

4 I also could speak like you,

if you were in my place;

I could make fine speeches against you

and shake my head at you.

5 But my mouth would encourage you;

comfort from my lips would bring you relief.

4 I also could speak as ye do:

If your soul were in my soul’s stead,

I could heap up words against you,

And shake mine head at you.

5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth,

And the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.

4 I could say the same things if you were in my place.

I could spout off criticism and shake my head at you.

5 But if it were me, I would encourage you.

I would try to take away your grief.

4 I also could speak as you do,

If your soul were in my soul’s place.

I could heap up words against you,

And shake my head at you;

5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth,

And the comfort of my lips would relieve your grief.

4 I also could speak as you do

if you were in my place.

I could make great speeches against you

and shake my head at you.

5 But, instead, I would encourage you,

and my words would bring you relief.

4 I also could speak as ye do;

If your soul were in my soul’s stead,

I could join words together against you,

And shake my head at you.

5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth,

And the solace of my lips would assuage your grief.

4 I also could speak as ye: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could join together words against you, and shake my head at you; 5 But I would encourage you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips should assuage your pain.

4 I, too, could speak like you 

if we could trade places. 

I could string words together against you 

and shake my head at you. 

5 I could encourage you with my mouth, 

and my quivering lips could ease ⸤your pain⸥. 

4 If you were in my place I could also talk like you.

I could string words together against you

and shake my head at you.

5 Instead, I would encourage you with my mouth,

and the consolation from my lips would bring relief.

4 I also could talk as you do,

if you were in my place;

I could join words together against you

and shake my head at you.

5 I could encourage you with my mouth,

and the solace of my lips would assuage your pain.

4 I myself also could talk as you,

if you were in my place;

I could join against you with words,

and I could shake at you with my head.

5 I could encourage you with my mouth,

and the solace of my lips would ease the pain.

4 If you and I changed places,

I could say the same things you are saying.

I could make fine speeches against you.

I could shake my head at you.

5 But what I might say would give you hope.

My words of comfort would help you.

4 “I too could speak like you,

If I were in your place.

I could compose words against you

And shake my head at you.

5 “I could strengthen you with my mouth,

And the solace of my lips could lessen your pain.