Job’s Greatness
1There was a man ain the land of Uz, whose name was bJob; and that man was cperfect and upright, and one that dfeared God, and eschewed evil.
2And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
3His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
4And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
5And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, eand offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and fcursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
Satan’s Request
6Now gthere was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
7And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From hgoing to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
8And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
9Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
10iHast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? jthou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
11kBut put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will lcurse thee to thy face.
12And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
Job’s Afflictions
13And there was a day mwhen his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:
14And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
15And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
16While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
17While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, nThy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:
19And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
Job’s Worship
20Then Job arose, oand rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and pfell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
21And said, qNaked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD rgave, and the LORD hath staken away; tblessed be the name of the LORD.
22uIn all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Satan’s Second Affliction of Job
1Again athere was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
2And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And bSatan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
3And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, ca perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he dholdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, eto destroy him without cause.
4And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
5fBut put forth thine hand now, and touch his gbone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
6hAnd the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
7So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils ifrom the sole of his foot unto his crown.
8And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; jand he sat down among the ashes.
The Rebuke of Job’s Wife
9Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
10But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? kshall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? lIn all this did not Job msin with his lips.
Job’s Three Friends
11Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the nTemanite, and Bildad the oShuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come pto mourn with him and to comfort him.
12And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and qsprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.
13So they sat down with him upon the ground rseven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.
Job Curses His Birth
1After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.
2And Job spake, and said,
3aLet the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived.
4Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.
5Let darkness and bthe shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.
6As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months.
7Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein.
8Let them curse it that curse the day, cwho are ready to raise up their mourning.
9Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the day:
10Because it shut not up the doors of my mother’s womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes.
11dWhy died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?
12eWhy did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?
13For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,
14With kings and counsellors of the earth, which fbuilt desolate places for themselves;
15Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver:
16Or gas an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light.
17There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at hrest.
18There the prisoners rest together; ithey hear not the voice of the oppressor.
19The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master.
Job Longs for Death
20jWherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the kbitter in soul;
21Which llong for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than mfor hid treasures;
22Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the ngrave?
23Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, oand whom God hath hedged in?
24For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.
25For the thing which I greatly pfeared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
26I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.
Eliphaz Questions Job
1Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
2If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?
3Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou ahast strengthened the weak hands.
4Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou bhast strengthened the feeble knees.
5But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
6Is not this cthy fear, dthy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?
7Remember, I pray thee, ewho ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?
8Even as I have seen, fthey that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
9By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.
10The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and gthe teeth of the young lions, are broken.
11hThe old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion’s whelps are scattered abroad.
12Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.
13iIn thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,
14Fear came upon me, and jtrembling, which made all my bones to shake.
15Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:
16It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,
God Is Righteous
17Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?
18Behold, he kput no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:
19How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?
20lThey are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it.
21Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.
Righteousness Will Triumph
1Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?
2For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.
3aI have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation.
4His children are bfar from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, cneither is there any to deliver them.
5Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.
6Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground;
7Yet man is dborn unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
8I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:
9Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:
10eWho giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:
11fTo set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.
12gHe disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.
13He taketh the hwise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.
14They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night.
15But ihe saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.
16jSo the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.
God Chastens His Children
17kBehold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
18lFor he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.
19mHe shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven nthere shall no evil touch thee.
20oIn famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.
21pThou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
22At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: qneither shalt thou be afraid of the rbeasts of the earth.
23sFor thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.
24And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin.
God Blesses the Faithful
25Thou shalt know also that tthy seed shall be great, and thine offspring uas the grass of the earth.
26vThou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.
27Lo this, we have wsearched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.
Job: Grief Is Unbearable
1But Job answered and said,
2Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
3For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
4aFor the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: bthe terrors of God do set themselves in array cagainst me.
5Doth the dwild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
6Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
8Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
9Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and ecut me off!
10Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for fI have not concealed the words of gthe Holy One.
11What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
12Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
13Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
14hTo him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
15iMy brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and jas the stream of brooks they pass away;
16Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
17What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
19The troops of kTema looked, the companies of lSheba waited for them.
20They were mconfounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
21For now nye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and oare afraid.
22Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
23Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
24Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
26Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
27Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye pdig a pit for your friend.
28Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
29qReturn, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my rrighteousness is in it.
30Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
Man’s Time on Earth
1Is there not aan appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling?
2As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work:
3So am I made to possess bmonths of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me.
4cWhen I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day.
5My flesh is dclothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome.
6eMy days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope.
7O remember that fmy life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.
8gThe eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: thine eyes are upon me, and I am not.
9As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so hhe that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.
10He shall return no more to his house, ineither shall his place know him any more.
Job’s Anguished Spirit
11Therefore I will jnot refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will kcomplain in the bitterness of my soul.
12Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me?
13lWhen I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint;
14Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:
15So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life.
16mI loathe it; I would not live alway: nlet me alone; for omy days are vanity.
17pWhat is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?
18And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?
19How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?
20I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, qO thou preserver of men? why rhast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?
21And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.
Bildad: God Is Just
1Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
2How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?
3aDoth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?
4If bthy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;
5cIf thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;
6If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
7Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly dincrease.
8eFor enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:
9(For fwe are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)
10Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?
Forget God and Perish
11Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?
12gWhilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.
13So are the paths of all that hforget God; and the ihypocrite’s hope shall perish:
14Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider’s web.
15jHe shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.
16He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.
17His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones.
18kIf he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee.
19Behold, this is the joy of his way, and lout of the earth shall others grow.
20Behold, mGod will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:
21Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.
22They that hate thee shall be nclothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.
Job: God’s Mighty Power
1Then Job answered and said,
2I know it is so of a truth: but how should aman be bjust with God?
3If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
4cHe is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?
5Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger.
6Which dshaketh the earth out of her place, and the epillars thereof tremble.
7Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
8fWhich alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.
9gWhich maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.
10hWhich doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.
11iLo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
12jBehold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?
Supplication to My Judge
13If God will not withdraw his anger, kthe proud helpers do stoop under him.
14How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?
15lWhom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.
16If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.
17For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds mwithout cause.
18He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.
19If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?
20If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
21Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.
22This is one thing, therefore I said it, nHe destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
23If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
24The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?
25Now omy days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.
26They are passed away as the swift ships: pas the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
27qIf I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:
28rI am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou swilt not hold me innocent.
29If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?
30tIf I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
31Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.
God’s Superiority
32For uhe is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.
33vNeither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
34wLet him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:
35Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.
Job’s Weariness of Life
1My asoul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; bI will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
2I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.
3Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?
4Hast thou eyes of flesh? or cseest thou as man seeth?
5Are thy days as the days of man? are thy years as man’s days,
6That thou enquirest after mine iniquity, and searchest after my sin?
7Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of thine hand.
8dThine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost edestroy me.
9Remember, I beseech thee, fthat thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?
10gHast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese?
11Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews.
12Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.
13And these things hast thou hid in thine heart: I know that this is with thee.
14If I sin, then hthou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.
15If I be wicked, iwoe unto me; jand if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore ksee thou mine affliction;
16For it increaseth. lThou huntest me as a fierce lion: and again thou shewest thyself marvellous upon me.
17Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me; changes and war are against me.
18mWherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me!
19I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.
20nAre not my days few? cease then, and olet me alone, that I may take comfort a little,
21Before I go whence I shall not return, peven to the land of darkness qand the shadow of death;
22A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.
Zophar: Let God Speak
1Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
2Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
3Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?
4For athou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.
5But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;
6And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that bGod exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
7cCanst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
8It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?
9The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
10dIf he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?
11For ehe knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?
12For fvain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.
Repentance and Forgiveness
13If thou gprepare thine heart, and hstretch out thine hands toward him;
14If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and ilet not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.
15jFor then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:
16Because thou shalt kforget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:
17And thine age lshall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.
18And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and mthou shalt take thy rest in safety.
19Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
20But nthe eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and otheir hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.
Job: The Just Man Is Scorned
1And Job answered and said,
2No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
3But I have understanding as well as you; I am not ainferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?
4bI am as one mocked of his neighbour, who ccalleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.
5dHe that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.
6eThe tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.
7But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:
8Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.
9Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?
10fIn whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the gbreath of all mankind.
11Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?
12With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
God’s Strength and Wisdom
13With him is hwisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
14Behold, ihe breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
15Behold, he jwithholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he ksendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.
16With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.
17He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.
18He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.
19He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.
20lHe removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.
21mHe poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.
22He ndiscovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.
23oHe increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.
24He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and pcauseth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
25qThey grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to rstagger like a drunken man.
Job: Hold Your Peace
1Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it.
2aWhat ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.
3bSurely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
4But ye are forgers of lies, cye are all physicians of no value.
5dO that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.
6Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
God Will Not Be Mocked
7eWill ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?
8Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?
9Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him?
10He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.
11Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?
12Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.
13Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.
14Wherefore fdo I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?
15gThough he slay me, yet will I trust in him: hbut I will maintain mine own ways before him.
16He also shall be my salvation: for an ihypocrite shall not come before him.
17Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.
18Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be jjustified.
19kWho is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost.
20lOnly do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee.
21mWithdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.
22Then call thou, and I will nanswer: or let me speak, and answer thou me.
Make Me Know My Sin
23How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.
24oWherefore hidest thou thy face, and pholdest me for thine enemy?
25qWilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?
26For thou writest bitter things against me, and rmakest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.
27sThou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths; thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet.
28And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten.
Job: The Brevity of Man
1Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and afull of trouble.
2bHe cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
3And dost cthou open thine eyes upon such an one, and dbringest me into judgment with thee?
4Who ecan bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
5fSeeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
6gTurn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, has an hireling, his day.
7For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
8Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;
9Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.
10But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is ihe?
11As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:
12So man lieth down, and riseth not: jtill the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
13O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!
14If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time kwill I wait, till my change come.
15lThou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.
16mFor now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?
17nMy transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.
18And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of his place.
19The waters wear the stones: thou washest away the things which grow out of the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hope of man.
20Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.
21His sons come to honour, and ohe knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.
22But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn.
Eliphaz: Unprofitable Talk
1Then answered aEliphaz the Temanite, and said,
2Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?
3Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?
4Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God.
5For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.
6bThine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee.
7Art thou the first man that was born? cor wast thou made before the hills?
8dHast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?
9eWhat knowest thou, that we know not? what understandest thou, which is not in us?
10fWith us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father.
11Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?
12Why doth thine heart carry thee away? and what do thy eyes wink at,
13That thou turnest thy spirit against God, and lettest such words go out of thy mouth?
14gWhat is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
15hBehold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight.
16iHow much more abominable and filthy is man, jwhich drinketh iniquity like water?
17I will shew thee, hear me; and that which I have seen I will declare;
18Which wise men have told kfrom their fathers, and have not hid it:
19Unto whom alone the earth was given, and lno stranger passed among them.
20The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, mand the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.
21A dreadful sound is in his ears: nin prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.
22He believeth not that he shall oreturn out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword.
23He pwandereth abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? he knoweth qthat the day of darkness is ready at his hand.
Trouble and Anguish
24Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.
25For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty.
26He runneth upon him, even on his neck, upon the thick bosses of his bucklers:
27rBecause he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on his flanks.
28And he dwelleth in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabiteth, which are ready to become heaps.
29He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance scontinue, neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth.
30He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and tby the breath of his mouth shall he go away.
31Let not him that is deceived utrust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompence.
32It shall be accomplished vbefore his time, and his branch shall not be green.
33He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his flower as the olive.
34For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.
35wThey conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit.
Job: Asswage My Grief
1Then Job answered and said,
2I have heard many such things: amiserable comforters are ye all.
3Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?
4I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and bshake mine head at you.
5But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.
6Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?
7But now he hath made me cweary: thou dhast made desolate all my company.
8And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a ewitness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.
9fHe teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; gmine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
10They have hgaped upon me with their mouth; they ihave smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.
11God jhath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.
12I was at ease, but he hath broken me kasunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and lset me up for his mark.
13His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.
14He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant.
My Witness in Heaven
15I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and mdefiled my horn in the dust.
16My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;
17Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.
18O earth, cover not thou my blood, and nlet my cry have no place.
19Also now, behold, omy witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.
20My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.
21pO that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!
22When a few years are come, then I shall qgo the way whence I shall not return.
Job: Where Is My Hope?
1My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, athe graves are ready for me.
2Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their bprovocation?
3Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that cwill strike hands with me?
4For thou hast hid their heart from dunderstanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them.
5He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall efail.
6He hath made me also fa byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.
7gMine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.
8Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.
9The righteous also shall hold on his hway, and he that hath iclean hands shall be stronger and stronger.
10But as for you all, jdo ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you.
11kMy days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.
12They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
13If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.
14I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister.
15And where is now my lhope? as for my hope, who shall see it?
16They shall go down mto the bars of the pit, when our nrest together is in the dust.
Bildad: We Will Speak
1Then answered aBildad the Shuhite, and said,
2How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak.
3Wherefore are we counted bas beasts, and reputed vile in your sight?
4cHe teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place?
5Yea, dthe light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.
6The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, eand his candle shall be put out with him.
7The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and fhis own counsel shall cast him down.
8For ghe is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare.
9The gin shall take him by the heel, and hthe robber shall prevail against him.
10The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way.
11iTerrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.
12His strength shall be hungerbitten, and jdestruction shall be ready at his side.
13It shall devour the strength of his skin: even the firstborn of death shall devour his strength.
14kHis confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall bring him to the king of terrors.
15It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his: brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.
16lHis roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off.
17mHis remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street.
18He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.
19nHe shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings.
20They that come after him shall be astonied oat his day, as they that went before were affrighted.
21Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that pknoweth not God.
Job: You Vex My Soul
1Then Job answered and said,
2How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?
3These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.
4And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself.
5If indeed ye will amagnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach:
6Know now that bGod hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net.
7Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment.
8cHe hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.
9dHe hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head.
10He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine ehope hath he removed like a tree.
11He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and fhe counteth me unto him as one of his enemies.
12His troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp round about my tabernacle.
13gHe hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me.
14My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.
15They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight.
16I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth.
17My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children’s sake of mine own body.
18Yea, hyoung children despised me; I arose, and they spake against me.
19iAll my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me.
20jMy bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.
My Redeemer Liveth
21Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.
22Why do ye kpersecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?
23Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
24That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!
25For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet lin my flesh shall I see God:
27Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
28But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?
29Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.
Zophar: The Wicked Will Perish
1Then answered aZophar the Naamathite, and said,
2Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer, and for this I make haste.
3I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.
4Knowest thou not this of bold, since man was placed upon earth,
5cThat the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a dmoment?
6eThough his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds;
7Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?
8He shall fly away fas a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he gshall be chased away as a vision of the night.
9The eye also which saw him shall see him no more; neither shall his place any more behold him.
10His children shall seek to please the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods.
11His bones are full of hthe sin of his youth, iwhich shall lie down with him in the dust.
12Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue;
13Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth:
14Yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him.
15He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly.
16He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper’s tongue shall slay him.
17He shall not see jthe rivers, the floods, the brooks of honey and butter.
18That which he laboured for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: according to his substance shall the restitution be, and he shall not rejoice therein.
19Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not;
20kSurely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired.
21There shall none of his meat be left; therefore shall no man look for his goods.
22In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: every hand of the wicked shall come upon him.
The Fury of God’s Wrath
23When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating.
24lHe shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through.
25It is drawn, and cometh out of the body; yea, mthe glittering sword cometh out of his gall: nterrors are upon him.
26All darkness shall be hid in his secret places: oa fire not blown shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle.
27The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him.
28The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his pwrath.
29qThis is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.
Job: Why Do the Wicked Prevail?
1But Job answered and said,
2Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.
3Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, amock on.
4As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?
5Mark me, and be astonished, band lay your hand upon your mouth.
6Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.
7cWherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
8Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9Their houses are safe from fear, dneither is the rod of God upon them.
10Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and ecasteth not her calf.
11They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
13They fspend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
14gTherefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
15hWhat is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and iwhat profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
16Lo, their good is not in their hand: jthe counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God kdistributeth sorrows in his anger.
18lThey are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
19God layeth up his iniquity mfor his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.
20His eyes shall see his destruction, and nhe shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?
God Is Judge
22oShall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.
23One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
24His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
25And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
26They shall plie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.
27Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
28For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?
29Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,
30qThat the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
31Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
32Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
33The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and revery man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.
34How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?
Job Accused of Wickedness
1Then aEliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
2bCan a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?
3Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?
4Will he reprove thee for fear of thee? will he enter with thee into judgment?
5Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?
6For thou hast ctaken a pledge from thy brother for nought, and stripped the naked of their clothing.
7Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou dhast withholden bread from the hungry.
8But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honourable man dwelt in it.
9Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.
10Therefore snares are round about thee, and sudden fear troubleth thee;
11Or darkness, that thou canst not see; and abundance of ewaters cover thee.
12Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are!
13And thou sayest, fHow doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?
14gThick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven.
15Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?
16Which hwere cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood:
17iWhich said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them?
18Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
19jThe righteous see it, and are glad: and the innocent laugh them to scorn.
20Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumeth.
21Acquaint now thyself with him, and kbe at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.
22Receive, I pray thee, the llaw from his mouth, and mlay up his words in thine heart.
23If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.
24Then shalt thou nlay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.
25Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver.
Delight in the Almighty
26For then shalt thou have thy odelight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God.
27pThou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.
28Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.
29When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and qhe shall save the humble person.
30He shall deliver the island of the innocent: and it is delivered by the pureness of thine hands.
Job: Argue My Cause
1Then Job answered and said,
2Even to day is my acomplaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3bOh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
4I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
6cWill he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.
7There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
8dBehold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
9On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
10But ehe knoweth the way that I take: when fhe hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
11gMy foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
12Neither have I gone back from the hcommandment of his lips; iI have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
13But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what jhis soul desireth, even that he doeth.
14For he performeth the thing that is kappointed for me: and many such things are with him.
15Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.
16For God lmaketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
17Because I was not mcut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.
Job: Sins of the Wicked
1Why, seeing atimes are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his bdays?
2Some remove the clandmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof.
3They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they dtake the widow’s ox for a pledge.
4They turn the needy out of the way: the epoor of the earth hide themselves together.
5Behold, as wild asses in the desert, go they forth to their work; rising betimes for a prey: the wilderness yieldeth food for them and for their children.
6They reap every one his corn in the field: and they gather the vintage of the wicked.
7They fcause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold.
8They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and gembrace the rock for want of a shelter.
9They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor.
10They cause him to go naked without hclothing, and they take away the sheaf from the hungry;
11Which make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst.
12Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them.
Men of Darkness
13They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.
14iThe murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief.
15jThe eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, ksaying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth his face.
16In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: lthey know not the light.
17For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death.
18He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards.
19Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so doth the grave those which have sinned.
20The womb shall forget him; the worm shall feed sweetly on him; mhe shall be no more remembered; and wickedness shall be broken as a tree.
21He evil entreateth the barren that beareth not: and doeth not good to the widow.
22He draweth also the mighty with his power: he riseth up, and no man is sure of life.
23Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon he resteth; yet nhis eyes are upon their ways.
24They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn.
25And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?
Bildad: God Is Holy
1Then answered aBildad the Shuhite, and said,
2Dominion and fear are with him, he maketh peace in his high places.
3Is there any number of his armies? and upon whom doth not bhis light arise?
4cHow then can man be justified with God? or how can he be dclean that is born of a woman?
5Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his esight.
6How much less man, that is fa worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?
Job: God Is Great
1But Job answered and said,
2How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength?
3How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?
4To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?
5Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof.
6aHell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.
7bHe stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.
8cHe bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them.
9He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it.
10dHe hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.
11The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.
12eHe divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud.
13fBy his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed gthe crooked serpent.
14Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?
Job: Integrity and Righteousness
1Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,
2As God liveth, awho hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul;
3All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;
4My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.
5God forbid that I should justify you: till I die bI will not remove mine integrity from me.
6My righteousness I chold fast, and will not let it go: dmy heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
7Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous.
8eFor what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?
9fWill God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?
10gWill he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?
11I will teach you by the hand of God: that which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.
12Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; why then are ye thus altogether vain?
Heritage of Oppressors
13hThis is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty.
14iIf his children be multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.
15Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and jhis widows shall not weep.
16Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay;
17He may prepare it, but kthe just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.
18He buildeth his house as a moth, and las a booth that the keeper maketh.
19The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is mnot.
20nTerrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.
21The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place.
22For God shall cast upon him, and not ospare: he would fain flee out of his hand.
23Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.
The Search for Wisdom
1Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it.
2Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone.
3He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death.
4The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men.
5As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.
6The stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold.
7There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen:
8The lion’s whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it.
9He putteth forth his hand upon the rock; he overturneth the mountains by the roots.
10He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and his eye seeth every precious thing.
11He bindeth the floods from overflowing; and the thing that is hid bringeth he forth to light.
The Price of Wisdom
12aBut where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?
13Man knoweth not the bprice thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.
14cThe depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me.
15It dcannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.
16It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
17The egold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.
18No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above frubies.
19The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure ggold.
20hWhence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?
21Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.
22iDestruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.
The Source of Wisdom
23God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.
24For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and jseeth under the whole heaven;
25kTo make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure.
26When he lmade a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:
27Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.
28And unto man he said, Behold, mthe fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Job’s Former Blessings
1Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,
2Oh that I were as in months apast, as in the days when God bpreserved me;
3cWhen his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;
4As I was in the days of my youth, when dthe secret of God was upon my tabernacle;
5When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me;
6When eI washed my steps with butter, and fthe rock poured me out rivers of oil;
Job’s Former Greatness
7When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street!
8The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up.
9The princes refrained talking, and glaid their hand on their mouth.
10The nobles held their peace, and their htongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.
11When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me:
Job’s Former Service
12Because iI delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.
13The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.
14jI put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.
15I was keyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.
16I was a father to the poor: and lthe cause which I knew not I searched out.
17And I brake mthe jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.
18Then I said, nI shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand.
19oMy root was spread out pby the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.
20My glory was fresh in me, and my qbow was renewed in my hand.
Job’s Former Status
21Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.
22After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them.
23And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for rthe latter rain.
24If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down.
25I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.
An Object of Contempt
1But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.
2Yea, whereto might the strength of their hands profit me, in whom old age was perished?
3For want and famine they were solitary; fleeing into the wilderness in former time desolate and waste.
4Who cut up mallows by the bushes, and juniper roots for their meat.
5They were driven forth from among men, (they cried after them as after a thief;)
6To dwell in the cliffs of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks.
7Among the bushes they brayed; under the nettles they were gathered together.
8They were children of fools, yea, children of base men: they were viler than the earth.
9aAnd now am I their song, yea, I am their byword.
10They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not bto spit in my face.
11Because he chath loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me.
12Upon my right hand rise the youth; they push away my feet, and dthey raise up against me the ways of their destruction.
13They mar my path, they set forward my calamity, they have no helper.
14They came upon me as a wide breaking in of waters: in the desolation they rolled themselves upon me.
15Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud.
16eAnd now my soul is fpoured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.
17My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest.
18By the great force of my disease is my garment changed: it bindeth me about as the collar of my coat.
19He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes.
Job’s Cry to God
20I gcry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not.
21Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou hopposest thyself against me.
22Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to ride upon it, and dissolvest my substance.
23For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house iappointed for all living.
24Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction.
25jDid not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor?
26kWhen I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.
27My bowels boiled, and rested not: the days of affliction prevented me.
28lI went mourning without the sun: I stood up, and I cried in the congregation.
29mI am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.
30nMy skin is black upon me, and omy bones are burned with heat.
31My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.
Job’s Integrity
1I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a amaid?
2For what bportion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high?
3Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?
4cDoth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?
5If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit;
6Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine dintegrity.
7If my step hath turned out of the way, and emine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;
8Then flet me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.
9If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour’s door;
10Then let my wife grind unto ganother, and let others bow down upon her.
11For this is an heinous crime; yea, hit is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.
12For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase.
13If I did idespise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;
14What then shall I do when jGod riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?
15kDid not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?
Social Concerns
16If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to lfail;
17Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof;
18(For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother’s womb;)
19If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;
20If his loins have not mblessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
21If I have lifted up my hand nagainst the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:
22Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.
23For odestruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.
24pIf I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence;
25qIf I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much;
26rIf I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness;
27And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:
28This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.
29sIf I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:
30tNeither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.
31If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.
32uThe stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller.
33If I covered my transgressions vas Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom:
34Did I fear a great wmultitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?
35xOh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and ythat mine adversary had written a book.
36Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me.
37I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.
38If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain;
39If zI have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or ahave caused the owners thereof to lose their life:
40Let bthistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.
Elihu’s Wrath
1So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was arighteous in his own eyes.
2Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the bBuzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he cjustified himself rather than God.
3Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.
4Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.
5When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
6And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am dyoung, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.
7I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8But there is a spirit in man: and ethe inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
9fGreat men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
10Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.
11Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
12Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:
13gLest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.
14Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.
15They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
16When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
17I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.
18For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
19Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.
20I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
21Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
22For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me haway.
Elihu’s Challenge to Job
1Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
2Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
3My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
4aThe spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
5If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.
6bBehold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
7cBehold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
8Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
9dI am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
10Behold, he findeth occasions against me, ehe counteth me for his enemy,
11fHe putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
God’s Greatness
12Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
13Why dost thou gstrive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
14hFor God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
15iIn a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
16jThen he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
17That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19He is chastened also with pain upon his kbed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
20lSo that his life abhorreth mbread, and his soul dainty meat.
21His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
23If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:
24Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
25His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth:
26He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
27He looketh upon men, and if any nsay, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it oprofited me not;
28He will pdeliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
29Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
30qTo bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
31Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
32If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.
33If not, rhearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
Let Us Choose Judgment
1Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
2Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
3aFor the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
4Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.
5For Job hath said, bI am righteous: and cGod hath taken away my judgment.
6dShould I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.
7What man is like Job, ewho drinketh up scorning like water?
8Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
9For fhe hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
10Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: gfar be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
11hFor the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty ipervert judgment.
13Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
14If he set his heart upon man, if he jgather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
15kAll flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
The Ways of Man
16If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
17lShall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou mcondemn him that is most just?
18nIs it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
19How much less to him that oaccepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for pthey all are the work of his hands.
20In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled qat midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
21rFor his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
22sThere is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
24tHe shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
25Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27Because they uturned back from him, and vwould not consider any of his ways:
28So that they wcause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he xheareth the cry of the afflicted.
I Have Borne Chastisement
29When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:
30That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
31Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
32That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
33Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
34Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.
35yJob hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
36My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.
37For he addeth zrebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
God’s Righteousness
1Elihu spake moreover, and said,
2Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God’s?
3For athou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?
4I will answer thee, and bthy companions with thee.
5cLook unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.
6If thou sinnest, what doest thou dagainst him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?
7eIf thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?
8Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.
9fBy reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.
10But none saith, gWhere is God my maker, hwho giveth songs in the night;
11Who iteacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?
12jThere they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.
Judgment Before God
13kSurely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.
14lAlthough thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore mtrust thou in him.
15But now, because it is not so, he hath nvisited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity:
16oTherefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.
God’s Strength and Wisdom
1Elihu also proceeded, and said,
2Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God’s behalf.
3I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.
5Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: ahe is mighty in strength and wisdom.
6He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the bpoor.
7cHe withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but dwith kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.
8And eif they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;
9Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
10fHe openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
11If they obey and serve him, they shall gspend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
12But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without hknowledge.
13But the hypocrites in heart iheap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.
14jThey die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.
15He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
16Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait kinto a broad place, where there is no straitness; and lthat which should be set on thy table should be full of mfatness.
17But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the nwicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.
18Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then oa great ransom cannot deliver thee.
19pWill he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.
20Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.
21Take heed, qregard not iniquity: for rthis hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
22Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?
23sWho hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought tiniquity?
24Remember that thou umagnify his work, which men behold.
25Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.
26Behold, God is great, and we vknow him not, wneither can the number of his years be searched out.
27For he xmaketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:
28yWhich the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.
29Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?
30Behold, he zspreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
31For aby them judgeth he the people; he bgiveth meat in abundance.
32cWith clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.
33dThe noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.
God’s Wondrous Works
1At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.
2Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.
3He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
4After it aa voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.
5God thundereth marvellously with his voice; bgreat things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
6For che saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
7He sealeth up the hand of every man; dthat eall men may know his work.
8Then the beasts fgo into dens, and remain in their places.
9Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
10gBy the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
11Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
12And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may hdo whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.
13iHe causeth it to come, whether for correction, or jfor his land, or kfor mercy.
14Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and lconsider the wondrous works of God.
15Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
16mDost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of nhim which is perfect in knowledge?
17How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?
18Hast thou with him ospread out the psky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?
19Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
20Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.
21And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.
22Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.
23Touching the Almighty, qwe cannot find him out: rhe is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.
24Men do therefore sfear him: he respecteth not any that are twise of heart.
God Speaks to Job
1Then the LORD answered Job aout of the whirlwind, and said,
2bWho is this that darkeneth counsel by cwords without knowledge?
3dGird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
God Created the Earth
4eWhere wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
5Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
7When the morning stars sang together, and all fthe sons of God shouted for joy?
8gOr who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?
9When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,
10And hbrake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,
11And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves ibe stayed?
12Hast thou jcommanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;
13That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that kthe wicked might be shaken out of it?
14It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
15And from the wicked their llight is withholden, and mthe high arm shall be broken.
16Hast thou nentered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?
17Have othe gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?
18Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.
19Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,
20That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?
21Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?
22Hast thou entered into pthe treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,
23qWhich I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
24By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
25Who rhath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;
26To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;
27sTo satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?
28tHath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?
29Out of whose womb came the ice? and the uhoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
30The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is vfrozen.
31Canst thou bind the sweet influences of wPleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
32Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?
33Knowest thou xthe ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
34Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?
35Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?
36yWho hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?
37Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,
38When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?
39zWilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,
40When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?
41aWho provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.
God Created Life
1Knowest thou the time when the wild agoats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when bthe hinds do calve?
2Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
3They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows.
4Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them.
5Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?
6cWhose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.
7He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.
8The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after devery green thing.
9Will the eunicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?
10Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?
11Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?
12Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?
13Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?
14Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,
15And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
16She is fhardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;
17Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he gimparted to her understanding.
18What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.
19Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?
20Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.
21He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: hhe goeth on to meet the armed men.
22He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.
23The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.
24He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.
25He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
26Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?
27Doth the ieagle mount up at thy command, and jmake her nest on high?
28She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place.
29From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.
30Her young ones also suck up blood: and kwhere the slain are, there is she.
Job’s Submission to God
1Moreover the LORD aanswered Job, and said,
2Shall he that bcontendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that creproveth God, let him answer it.
3Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
4dBehold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? eI will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
5Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.
The Arm of God
6fThen answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
7gGird up thy loins now like a man: hI will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
8iWilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
9Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with ja voice like him?
10kDeck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
11Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.
12Look on every one that is lproud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
13Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.
14Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.
15Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
16Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
17He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.
18His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
19He is the chief of the mways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.
20Surely the mountains nbring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
21He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
22The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.
23Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.
24He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.
The Leviathan’s Power
1Canst thou draw out aleviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?
2Canst thou bput an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
3Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?
4Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?
5Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
6Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?
7Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?
8Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.
9Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?
God’s Superiority
10None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?
11cWho hath prevented me, that I should repay him? dwhatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.
12I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion.
13Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle?
14Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.
15His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.
16One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.
17They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.
18By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.
19Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.
20Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
21His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.
22In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.
23The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.
24His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.
25When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.
26The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.
27He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.
28The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble.
29Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.
30Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.
31He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.
32He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.
33Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.
34He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.
Job’s Repentance
1Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
2I know that thou acanst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
3bWho is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; cthings too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
4Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: dI will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
5I have eheard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
6Wherefore I fabhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
7And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
8Therefore take unto you now gseven bullocks and seven rams, and hgo to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall ipray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.
9So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.
10jAnd the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job ktwice as much as he had before.
11Then came there unto him lall his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.
Job’s Faithfulness Rewarded
12So the LORD blessed mthe latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had nfourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
13oHe had also seven sons and three daughters.
14And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Keren-happuch.
15And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.
The Death of Job
16After this plived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four generations.
17So Job died, being old and qfull of days.