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The Book of Job
Job’s Character and Wealth
(James
5:7–12)
1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and shunned evil. 2 And there were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3 His 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. 4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, everyone his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were ended, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose early in the morning, and offered burnt-offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
Satan’s First Attack
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the LORD said to Satan, Whence comest you? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down upon it. 8 And the LORD said to Satan, Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and shunneth evil? 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for naught? 10 Have not you made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he has on every side? you have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face. 12 And the LORD said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself put not forth your hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
Job Loses His Children and Possessions
13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: 14 And there came a messenger to Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: 15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yes, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only have escaped alone to tell you. 16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God has fallen from heaven, and has burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I only have escaped alone to tell you. 17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yes, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only have escaped alone to tell you. 18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: 19 And 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 have escaped alone to tell you.
20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell upon the ground, and worshiped,
21 And said, Naked came I from my mother’s womb, and naked will I return thither: The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Job Loses His Health
1 Again there 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. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, Whence comest you? and Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down upon it. 3 And the LORD said to Satan, Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and shunneth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although you movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. 4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, even, all that a man has will he give for his life. 5 But put forth your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face. 6 And the LORD said to Satan, Behold, he is in your hand; but save his life.
7 So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot to his crown. 8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself with it; and he sat down among the ashes.
9 Then said his wife to him, Dost you still retain your integrity? curse God, and die. 10 But he said to her, You speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? will we receive good at the hand of God, and will we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
Job’s Three Friends
11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came everyone from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite; for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him, and to comfort him. 12 And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they raised their voice, and wept; and they rent everyone his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads towards heaven. 13 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spoke a word to him: for they saw that his grief was very great.
Job 3
Job Laments His Birth
1 After this Job opened his mouth, and cursed his day. 2 And Job spoke, and said,
3 Let the day perish in which I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a mail child conceived.
4 Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.
5 Let darkness and the shades of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.
6 As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined to the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months.
7 Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein.
8 Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning.
9 Let the stars of its twilight be dark; let it look for light, but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the day:
10 Because it prevented not my birth, nor hid sorrow from my eyes.
11 Why died I not from the womb? why did I not expire at the time of my birth?
12 Why did the knees receive me? or why the breasts that I should be nursed?
13 For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,
14 With kings and counselors of the earth, who built desolate places for themselves;
15 Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver:
16 Or as a hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light.
17 There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary are at rest.
18 There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor.
19 The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master.
20 Why is light given to him that is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul;
21 Who long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;
22 Who rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?
23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God has hedged in?
24 For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.
25 For the thing which I greatly feared has come upon me, and that which I dreaded has come to me.
26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.
Job 4
Eliphaz: The Innocent Prosper
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
2 If we essay to commune with you, wilt you be grieved? but who can refrain from speaking?
3 Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands.
4 Thy words have upheld him that was falling, and you have strengthened the feeble knees.
5 But now it has come upon you, and you faintest; it toucheth you, and you are troubled.
6 Is not this your fear, your confidence, your hope, and the uprightness of your ways?
7 Remember, I pray you, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off;
8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
9 By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.
10 The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
11 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion’s whelps are scattered abroad.
12 Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and my ear received a small sound of it.
13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men.
14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.
15 Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:
16 It stood still, but I could not discern its form: an image was before my eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,
17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? will a man be more pure than his maker?
18 Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:
19 How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth?
20 They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it.
21 Doth not their excellence which is in them depart? they die, even without wisdom.
Job 5
Eliphaz Continues: God Blesses those Who Seek Him
1 Call now, if there is any that will answer you; and to which of the saints wilt you turn?
2 For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy kills the silly one.
3 I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation.
4 His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neither is there any to deliver them.
5 Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.
6 Although affliction cometh not forth from the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground;
7 Yet man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
8 I would seek to God, and to God would I commit my cause:
9 Who doeth great things and unsearchable; wonderful things without number:
10 Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:
11 To set on high those that are low: that those who mourn may be exalted to safety.
12 He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.
13 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.
14 They meet with darkness in the day-time, and grope in the noon-day as in the night.
15 But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.
16 So the poor has hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.
17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not you the chastening of the Almighty:
18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.
19 He will deliver you in six troubles: yea, in seven there will no evil touch you.
20 In famine he will redeem you from death: and in war from the power of the sword.
21 You shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither you will be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
22 At destruction and famine you will laugh: neither you will be afraid of the beasts of the earth.
23 For you will be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field will be at peace with you.
24 And you will know that your tabernacle will be in peace; and you will visit your habitation, and are not to sin.
25 You shalt know also that your seed will be great, and your offspring as the grass of the earth.
26 You shalt come to your grave in a full age, as a shock of corn cometh in in its season.
27 Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know you it for your good.
Job 6
Job Replies: My Complaint Is Just
1 But Job answered and said,
2 Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison of which drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God set themselves in array against me.
5 Doth the wild ass bray when he has grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
6 Can that which is unsavory be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful food.
8 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
9 Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10 Then should I yet have comfort; yes, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
11 What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is my end, that I should prolong my life?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
13 Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
14 To him that is afflicted pity should be shown from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and in which the snow is hid:
17 In the time when they become warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
21 For now you are nothing: you see my casting down, and are afraid.
22 Did I say, Bring to me? or Give a reward for me of your substance?
23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand in what I have erred.
25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
26 Do you imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
27 Yes, you overwhelm the fatherless, and you dig a pit for your friend.
28 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident to you if I lie.
29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yes, return again, my righteousness is in it.
30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
Job 7
Job Continues: Life Seems Futile
1 Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of a hireling?
2 As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as a hireling looketh for the reward of his work;
3 So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me.
4 When I lie down, I say, When will I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro to the dawning of the day.
5 My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken and become lothsome.
6 My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope.
7 O remember that my life is wind: my eye will no more see good.
8 The eye of him that has seen me will see me no more: your eyes are upon me, and I am not.
9 As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave will come up no more.
10 He will return no more to his house, neither will his place know him any more.
11 Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
12 Am I a sea, or a whale, that you settest a watch over me?
13 When I say, My bed will comfort me, my couch will ease my complaint;
14 Then you scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:
15 So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life.
16 I lothe it; I would not live always: let me alone; for my days are vanity.
17 What is man, that you shouldst magnify him? and that you shouldst set your heart upon him?
18 And that you shouldst visit him every morning, and try him every moment?
19 How long wilt you not depart from me, nor let me alone until I swallow my spittle?
20 I have sinned; what will I do to you, O you preserver of men? why have you set me as a mark against you, so that I am a burden to myself?
21 And why dost you not pardon my transgression, and take away my iniquity? for now will I sleep in the dust; and you will seek me in the morning, but I will not be.
Job 8
Bildad: Job Should Repent
1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
2 How long wilt you speak these things? and how long will the words of your mouth be like a strong wind?
3 Doth God pervert judgment; or doth the Almighty pervert justice?
4 If your children have sinned against him, and he has cast them away for their transgression;
5 If you wouldst seek to God betimes, and make your supplication to the Almighty;
6 If you wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for you, and make the habitation of your righteousness prosperous.
7 Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase.
8 For inquire, I pray you, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:
9 (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)
10 Will they not teach you, and tell you, and utter words out of their heart?
11 Can the rush grow without mire? can the flag grow without water?
12 Whilst it is yet in its greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.
13 So are the paths of all that forget God; and the pretender’s hope will perish:
14 Whose hope will be cut off, and whose trust will be a spider’s web.
15 He will lean upon his house, but it will not stand: he will hold it fast, but it will not endure.
16 He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.
17 His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones.
18 If he will destroy him from his place, then it will deny him, saying, I have not seen you.
19 Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth will others grow.
20 Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:
21 Till he will fill your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing.
22 They that hate you will be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked will come to naught.
Job 9
Job: How Can I Contend with God?
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 I know it to be so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?
3 If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who has hardened himself against him, and has prospered?
5 Who removeth the mountains, and they know not: who overturneth them in his anger.
6 Who shaketh the earth out of her place, and its pillars tremble.
7 Who commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
8 Who alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.
9 Who maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.
10 Who doeth great things past finding out; yes, and wonders without number.
11 Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
12 Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say to him, What doest you?
13 If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.
14 How much less will I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?
15 Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.
16 If I had called, and he had answered me; yet I would not believe that he had listened to my voice.
17 For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.
18 He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.
19 If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who will set me a time to plead?
20 If I justify myself, my own mouth will condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, that also will prove me perverse.
21 Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.
22 This is one thing, therefore I said it, he destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
23 If the scourge will slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of its judges; if not, where, and who is he?
25 Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.
26 They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
27 If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:
28 I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that you wilt not hold me innocent.
29 If I am wicked, why then do I labor in vain?
30 If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
31 Yet wilt you plunge me in the ditch, and my own clothes will abhor me.
32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.
33 Neither is there any judge between us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
34 Let him take away his rod from me, and let not his fear terrify me:
35 Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.
Job 10
Job’s Plea to God
1 My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
2 I will say to God, Do not condemn me; show me why you contendest with me.
3 Is it good to you that you shouldst oppress, that you shouldst despise the work of your hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?
4 Have you eyes of flesh? or seest you as man seeth?
5 Are your days as the days of man? are your years as man’s days,
6 That you inquirest after my iniquity, and searchest after my sin?
7 You knowest that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of your hand.
8 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me in all my parts; yet you dost destroy me.
9 Remember, I beseech you, that you have made me as the clay; and wilt you bring me into dust again?
10 Have you not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese?
11 You have clothed me with skin and flesh, and have fenced me with bones and sinews.
12 You have granted me life and favor, and your visitation has preserved my spirit.
13 And these things have you hid in your heart: I know that this is with you.
14 If I sin, then you markest me, and you wilt not acquit me from my iniquity.
15 If I be wicked, woe to me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see you my affliction;
16 For it increaseth. You huntest me as a fierce lion: and again you showest thyself wonderful upon me.
17 You renewest your witnesses against me, and increasest your indignation upon me; changes and war are against me.
18 Why then have you brought me forth from the womb? O that I had expired, and no eye had seen me!
19 I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.
20 Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,
21 Before I go whence I will not return, even to the land of darkness, and the shades of death;
22 A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shades of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.
Job 11
Zophar Rebukes Job
1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?
3 Should your falsehoods make men hold their peace? and when you mockest, will no man make you ashamed?
4 For you have said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in your eyes.
5 But Oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you;
6 And that he would show you the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of you less than your iniquity deserveth.
7 Canst you by searching find out God? canst you find out the Almighty to perfection?
8 It is as high as heaven; what canst you do? deeper than hell; what canst you know?
9 The measure of it is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
10 If he will cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?
11 For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?
12 For vain man would be wise, though man is born like a wild ass’s colt.
13 If you preparest your heart, and stretchest out your hands towards him;
14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in your tabernacles.
15 For then you will lift up your face without spot; yes, you will be steadfast, and are not to fear:
16 Because you will forget your misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:
17 And your age will be clearer than the noon-day: you will shine forth, you will be as the morning.
18 And you will be secure, because there is hope; yes, you will dig about you, and you will take your rest in safety.
19 Also you will lie down, and none will make you afraid; yes, many will make suit to you.
20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and they will not escape, and their hope will be as the expiration of the breath.
Job 12
Job Presents His Case
1 And Job answered and said,
2 No doubt but you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.
3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yes, who knoweth not such things as these?
4 I am as one mocked by his neighbor, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is derided.
5 He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.
6 The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.
7 But ask now the beasts, and they will teach you; and the birds of the air, and they will tell you:
8 Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you: and the fishes of the sea will declare to you.
9 Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD has wrought this?
10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.
11 Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste its food?
12 With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
13 With him is wisdom and strength, he has counsel and understanding.
14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
15 Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.
16 With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.
17 He leadeth counselors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.
18 He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.
19 He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.
20 He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.
21 He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.
22 He revealeth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth to light the shades of death.
23 He increaseth nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth nations, and straiteneth them again.
24 He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
25 They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.
Job 13
Job Prepares His Case
1 Lo, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.
2 What you know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior to you.
3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
4 But you are forgers of lies, you are all physicians of no value.
5 O that you would altogether hold your peace and it would be your wisdom.
6 Hear now my reasoning, and listen to the pleadings of my lips.
7 Will you speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?
8 Will you accept his person? will you contend for God?
9 Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do you so mock him?
10 He will surely reprove you, if you do secretly accept persons.
11 Shall not his excellence make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?
12 Your remembrances are like to ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.
13 Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.
14 Why do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand?
15 Though he will slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain my own ways before him.
16 He also will be my salvation: for a pretender will not come before him.
17 Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.
18 Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I will be justified.
19 Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I will expire.
20 Only do not two things to me: then will I not hide myself from you.
21 Withdraw your hand far from me: and let not your dread make me afraid.
22 Then call you, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer you me.
23 How many are my iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.
24 Why hidest you your face, and holdest me for your enemy?
25 Wilt you break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt you pursue the dry stubble?
26 For you writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.
27 You puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly to all my paths; you settest a print upon the heels of my feet.
28 And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth-eaten.
Job 14
Job Laments the Finality of Death
1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
3 And dost you open your eyes upon such one, and bring me into judgment with you?
4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months is with you, you have appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
6 Turn from him, that he may rest, until he will accomplish, as a hireling, his day.
7 For there is hope of a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its tender branch will not cease.
8 Though its root will become old in the earth, and its stock die in the ground;
9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.
10 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yes, man yieldeth his breath, and where is he?
11 As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:
12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: until the heavens will be no more, they will not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
13 O that you wouldst hide me in the grave, that you wouldst keep me secret, until your wrath is past, that you wouldst appoint me a set time, and remember me!
14 If a man dieth, will he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, until my change will come.
15 You shalt call, and I will answer you: you wilt have a desire to the work of your hands.
16 For now you numberest my steps: dost you not watch over my sin?
17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and you sewest up my iniquity.
18 And surely the mountain falling cometh to naught, and the rock is removed out of its place.
19 The waters wear the stones: you washest away the things which grow out of the dust of the earth; and you destroyest the hope of man.
20 You prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: you changest his countenance, and sendest him away.
21 His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.
22 But his flesh upon him will have pain, and his soul within him will mourn.
Job 15
Eliphaz: Job Does Not Fear God
1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
2 Should a wise men utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?
3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches with which he can do no good?
4 Yes, you castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God.
5 For your mouth uttereth your iniquity, and you choosest the tongue of the crafty.
6 Thy own mouth condemneth you, and not I: yes, your own lips testify against you.
7 Art you the first man that was born? or were you made before the hills?
8 Have you heard the secret of God? and dost you restrain wisdom to thyself?
9 What knowest you that we know not? what understandest you, which is not in us?
10 With us are both the gray headed and very aged men, much older than your father.
11 Are the consolations of God small with you? is there any secret thing with you?
12 Why doth your heart carry you away? and what do your eyes wink at,
13 That you turnest your spirit against God, and lettest such words go out of your mouth?
14 What is man, that he should be clean? and he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?
15 Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yes, the heavens are not clean in his sight.
16 How much more abominable and filthy is man, who drinketh iniquity like water?
17 I will show you, hear me; and that which I have seen, I will declare;
18 Which wise men have told from their fathers, and have not hid it:
19 To whom alone the earth was given, and no stranger passed among them.
20 The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.
21 A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer will come upon him.
22 He believeth not that he will return out of darkness, and he is waited for by the sword.
23 He wandereth abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? he knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.
24 Trouble and anguish will make him afraid; they will prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.
25 For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty.
26 He runneth upon him, even on his neck, upon the thick bosses of his bucklers:
27 Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on his flanks.
28 And he dwelleth in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabiteth, which are ready to become heaps.
29 He will not be rich, neither will his substance continue, neither will he prolong the perfection of it upon the earth.
30 He will not depart out of darkness; the flame will dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth will he go away.
31 Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity will be his recompense.
32 It will be accomplished before his time, and his branch will not be green.
33 He will shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and will cast off his flower as the olive.
34 For the congregation of pretenders will be desolate, and fire will consume the tabernacles of bribery.
35 They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit.
Job 16
Job Decries His Comforters
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are you all.
3 Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth you that you answerest?
4 I also could speak as you do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake my head at you.
5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth and the moving of my lips should assuage your grief.
6 Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?
7 But now he has made me weary: you have made desolate all my company.
8 And you have filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.
9 He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; my enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
10 They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves against me.
11 God has delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.
12 I was at ease, but he has broken me asunder: he has also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.
13 His archers encompass me; he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.
14 He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant.
15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust.
16 My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids are the shades of death;
17 Not for any injustice in my hands: also my prayer is pure.
18 O earth, cover not you my blood, and let my cry have no place.
19 Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.
20 My friends scorn me: but my eye poureth out tears to God.
21 O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbor!
22 When a few years are come, then I will go the way whence I will not return.
Job 17
Job Prepares for Death
1 My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.
2 Are there not mockers with me? and doth not my eye continue in their provocation?
3 Lay down now, put me in a surety with you; who is he that will strike hands with me?
4 For you have hid their heart from understanding: therefore you will not exalt them.
5 He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children will fail.
6 He has made me also a by-word of the people; and in former time I was as a tabret.
7 My eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shade.
8 Upright men will be astonished at this, and the innocent will stir up himself against the pretender.
9 The righteous also will hold on his way, and he that has clean hands will be stronger and stronger.
10 But as for you all, do you return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you.
11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.
12 They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.
13 If I wait, the grave is my house: I have made my bed in the darkness.
14 I have said to corruption, You are my father: to the worm, You are my mother, and my sister.
15 And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who will see it?
16 They will go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.
Job 18
Bildad: God Punishes the Wicked
1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
2 How long will it be ere you make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak.
3 Why are we counted as beasts, and reputed vile in your sight?
4 He teareth himself in his anger: will the earth be forsaken for you? and will the rock be removed out of its place?
5 Yes, the light of the wicked will be put out, and the spark of his fire will not shine.
6 The light will be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle will be put out with him.
7 The steps of his strength will be straitened, and his own counsel will cast him down.
8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare.
9 The gin will take him by the heel, and the robber will prevail against him.
10 The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way.
11 Terrors will make him afraid on every side, and will drive him to his feet.
12 His strength will be hunger-bitten, and destruction will be ready at his side.
13 It will devour the strength of his skin: even the first-born of death will devour his strength.
14 His confidence will be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it will bring him to the king of terrors.
15 It will dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his: brimstone will be scattered upon his habitation.
16 His roots will be dried up beneath, and above will his branch be cut off.
17 His remembrance will perish from the earth, and he will have no name in the street.
18 He will be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.
19 He will neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings.
20 They that come after him will be astonished at his day, as they that went before were affrighted.
21 Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God.
Job 19
Job: My Redeemer Lives
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 How long will you vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?
3 These ten times have you reproached me: you are not ashamed that you make yourselves strange to me.
4 And be it Truly that I have erred, my error remaineth with myself.
5 If Truly you will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach:
6 Know now that God has overthrown me, and has encompassed me with his net.
7 Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment.
8 He has fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he has set darkness in my paths.
9 He has stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head.
10 He has destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and my hope has he removed like a tree.
11 He has also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me to him as one of his enemies.
12 His troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp around my tabernacle.
13 He has put my brethren far from me, and my acquaintance are verily estranged from me.
14 My kinsmen have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.
15 They that dwell in my house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight.
16 I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I entreated him with my mouth.
17 My breath is strange to my wife, though I entreated for the children’s sake of my own body.
18 Yes, young children despised me; I arose, and they spoke against me.
19 All my intimate friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me.
20 My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I have escaped with the skin of my teeth.
21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O you my friends; for the hand of God has touched me.
22 Why do you persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?
23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
24 That they were graven with an iron pen in lead, in the rock for ever!
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he will stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh will I see God:
27 Whom I will see for myself, and my eyes will behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
28 But you would say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?
29 Be you afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that you may know there is a judgment.
Job 20
Zophar: Destruction Awaits the Wicked
1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
2 Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer, and for this I make haste.
3 I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.
4 Knowest you not this of old, since man was placed upon earth,
5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the pretender but for a moment?
6 Though his excellence will mount up to the heavens, and his head reach to the clouds;
7 Yet he will perish for ever like his own dung: they who have seen him will say, Where is he?
8 He will fly away as a dream, and will not be found: yea, he will be chased away as a vision of the night.
9 The eye also which saw him will see him no more; neither will his place any more behold him.
10 His children will seek to please the poor, and his hands will restore their goods.
11 His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which will lie down with him in the dust.
12 Though wickedness may be sweet in his mouth, though he may hide it under his tongue;
13 Though he may spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth:
14 Yet his food in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him.
15 He has swallowed down riches, and he will vomit them up again: God will cast them out of his belly.
16 He will suck the poison of asps: the viper’s tongue will slay him.
17 He will not see the river, the floods, the brooks of honey and buttermilk.
18 That which he labored for will he restore, and will not swallow it: according to his substance will the restitution be, and he will not rejoice in it.
19 Because he has oppressed and has forsaken the poor; because he has violently taken away a house which he did not build.
20 Surely he will not feel quietness in his belly, he will not save of that which he desired.
21 There will none of his food be left; therefore will no man look for his goods.
22 In the fullness of his sufficiency he will be in straits: every hand of the wicked will come upon him.
23 When he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and will rain it upon him while he is eating.
24 He will flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel will strike him through.
25 It is drawn, and cometh out of the body; yes, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall: terrors are upon him.
26 All darkness will be hid in his secret places: a fire not blown will consume him; it will go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle.
27 The heaven will reveal his iniquity; and the earth will rise up against him.
28 The increase of his house will depart, and his goods will flow away in the day of his wrath.
29 This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed to him by God.
Job 21
Job: God Will Punish the Wicked
1 But Job answered and said,
2 Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.
3 Suffer me that I may speak; and after I have spoken, mock on.
4 As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?
5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
6 Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.
7 Why do the wicked live, become old, and, are mighty in power?
8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12 They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the flute.
13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
14 Therefore they say to God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of your ways.
15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray to him?
16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out? and how oft cometh their destruction upon them? God distributeth sorrows in his anger.
18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
19 God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he will know it.
20 His eyes will see his destruction, and he will drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21 For what pleasure has he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?
22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.
23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
24 His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
25 And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
26 They will lie down alike in the dust, and the worms will cover them.
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which you wrongfully imagine against me.
28 For you say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?
29 Have you not asked them that go by the way? and do you not know their tokens,
30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they will be brought forth to the day of wrath.
31 Who will declare his way to his face? and who will repay him what he has done?
32 Yet he will be brought to the grave, and will remain in the tomb.
33 The clods of the valley will be sweet to him, and every man will draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.
34 How then comfort you me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?
Job 22
Eliphaz: Can a Man Be of Use to God?
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
2 Can a man be profitable to God, as he that is wise may be profitable to himself?
3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that you are righteous? or is it gain to him, that you makest your ways perfect?
4 Will he reprove you for fear of you? will he enter with you into judgment?
5 Is not your wickedness great? and your iniquities infinite?
6 For you have taken a pledge from your brother for naught, and stripped the naked of their clothing.
7 You have not given water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry.
8 But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honorable man dwelt in it.
9 You have sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.
10 Therefore snares are around you, and sudden fear troubleth you;
11 Or darkness, that you canst not see; and abundance of waters cover you.
12 Is not God in the hight of heaven? and behold the hight of the stars, how high they are!
13 And you sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?
14 Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven.
15 Have you marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?
16 Who were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflowed with a flood!
17 Who said to God, depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them!
18 Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
19 The righteous see it, and are glad: and the innocent deride them.
20 Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumeth.
21 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: by this good will come to you.
22 Receive, I pray you, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart.
23 If you will return to the Almighty, you will be built up, you will put away iniquity far from your tabernacles.
24 Then you will lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.
25 Yea, the Almighty will be your defense and you will have plenty of silver.
26 For then you will have your delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up your face to God.
27 You shalt make your prayer to him, and he will hear you, and you will pay your vows.
28 You shalt also decree a thing, and it will be established to you: and the light will shine upon your ways.
29 When men are cast down, then you will say, There is exaltation; and he will save the humble person.
30 He will deliver the island of the innocent: and it is delivered by the pureness of your hands.
Job 23
Job Longs for God
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 Even to-day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
4 I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.
6 Would he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.
7 There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
8 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
9 On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:
10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he has tried me, I will come forth as gold.
11 My foot has held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.
12 Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.
14 For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.
15 Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.
16 For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither has he covered the darkness from my face.
Job 24
Job: Judgment for the Wicked
1 Why, seeing times are not hid from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days?
2 Some remove the landmarks: they violently take away flocks, and their feed.
3 They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow’s ox for a pledge.
4 They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together.
5 Behold, as wild asses in the desert, they go forth to their work; rising betimes for a prey: the wilderness yieldeth food for them and for their children.
6 They reap everyone his corn in the field: and they gather the vintage of the wicked.
7 They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold.
8 They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter.
9 They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor.
10 They cause him to go naked without clothing, and they take away the sheaf from the hungry;
11 Who make oil within their walls, and tread their wine-presses, and suffer thirst.
12 Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded cries out: yet God layeth not folly to them.
13 They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not its ways, nor abide in its paths.
14 The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief.
15 The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye will see me: and disguiseth his face.
16 In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the day-time: they know not the light.
17 For the morning is to them even as the shades of death: if one knoweth them, they are in the terrors of the shades of death.
18 He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards.
19 Drouth and heat consume the snow-waters: so doth the grave those who have sinned.
20 The womb will forget him; the worm will feed sweetly on him; he will be no more remembered; and wickedness will be broken as a tree.
21 He oppresseth the barren that beareth not: and doeth not good to the widow.
22 He draweth also the mighty with his power: he riseth up, and no man is sure of life.
23 Though it is given him to be in safety, on which he resteth; yet his eyes are upon their ways.
24 They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all others, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn.
25 And if it is not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech of no worth?
Job 25
Bildad: Man Cannot Be Righteous
1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
2 Dominion and fear are with him, he maketh peace in his high places.
3 Is there any number of his armies? and upon whom doth not his light arise?
4 How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?
5 Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; and the stars are not pure in his sight.
6 How much less man, that is a worm; and the son of man, who is a worm?
Job 26
Job: Who Can Understand God’s Majesty?
1 But Job answered and said,
2 How have you helped him that is without power? how savest you the arm that has no strength?
3 How have you counseled him that has no wisdom? and how have you abundantly declared the thing as it is?
4 To whom have you uttered words? and whose spirit came from you?
5 Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof.
6 Hell is naked before him, and destruction has no covering.
7 He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.
8 He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them.
9 He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it.
10 He has encompassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.
11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.
12 He divideth the sea by his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud.
13 By his spirit he has garnished the heavens; his hand has formed the crooked serpent.
14 Lo, 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 27
Job Affirms His Integrity
1 Moreover, Job continued his parable, and said,
2 As God liveth, who has taken away my judgment; and the Almighty who has afflicted my soul;
3 All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;
4 My lips will not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.
5 Far be it from me that I should justify you: until I die I will not remove my integrity from me.
6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart will not reproach me so long as I live.
The Wicked Man’s Portion
7 Let my enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous.
8 For what is the hope of the pretender, though he has gained, when God taketh away his soul?
9 Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?
10 Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?
11 I will teach you by the hand of God: that which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.
12 Behold, all you yourselves have seen it; why then are you thus altogether vain?
13 This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they will receive of the Almighty.
14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring will not be satisfied with bread.
15 Those that remain of him will be buried in death: and his widows will not weep.
16 Though he should heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay?
17 He may prepare it, but the just will put it on, and the innocent will divide the silver.
18 He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth that the keeper maketh.
19 The rich man will lie down, but he will not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not.
20 Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.
21 The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place.
22 For God will cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand.
23 Men will clap their hands at him, and will hiss him out of his place.
Job 28
Where Can Wisdom Be Found?
1 Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it.
2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is melted out of the stone.
3 He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shades of death.
4 The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant: even the waters forgotten by the foot: they are dried up, they have gone away from men.
5 As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.
6 The stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it has dust of gold.
7 There is a path which no birds knoweth, and which the vultur’s eye has not seen:
8 The lion’s whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it.
9 He putteth forth his hand upon the rock; he overturneth the mountains by the roots.
10 He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and his eye seeth every precious thing.
11 He bindeth the floods from overflowing; and the thing that is hid he bringeth forth to light.
12 But where will wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?
13 Man knoweth not the price of it; neither is it found in the land of the living.
14 The depth says, It is not in me: and the sea says, It is not with me.
15 It cannot be obtained for gold, neither will silver be weighed for the price of it.
16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
17 The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it will not be for jewels of fine gold.
18 No mention will be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.
19 The topaz of Cush will not equal it, neither will it be valued with pure gold.
20 Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?
21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the birds of the air.
22 Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame of it with our ears.
23 God understandeth the way of it, and he knoweth its place.
24 For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven;
25 To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure.
26 When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:
27 Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.
28 And to man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Job 29
Job’s Former Blessings
1 Moreover, Job continued his parable, and said,
2 Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;
3 When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;
4 As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle;
5 When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me;
6 When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;
7 When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street!
8 The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up.
9 The princes refrained talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.
10 The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.
11 When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me:
12 Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.
13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.
14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.
15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame.
16 I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.
17 And I broke the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.
18 Then I said, I will die in my nest, and I will multiply my days as the sand.
19 My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.
20 My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.
21 To me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.
22 After my words they spoke not again; and my speech dropped upon them.
23 And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.
24 If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down.
25 I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.
Job 30
Job’s Honor Turned to Contempt
1 But now they that are younger than I, have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to set with the dogs of my flock.
2 Yes, to what might the strength of their hands profit me, in whom old age had perished?
3 For want and famine they were solitary; fleeing into the wilderness in former time desolate and waste.
4 Who cut up mallows by the bushes, and juniper roots for their food.
5 They were driven forth from among men, (they cried after them, as after a thief;)
6 To dwell in the clefts of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks.
7 Among the bushes they brayed; under the nettles they were collected.
8 They were children of fools, yes, children of base men: they were viler than the earth.
9 And now I am their song, yes, I am their by-word.
10 They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.
11 Because he has loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me.
12 Upon my right hand rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction.
13 They mar my path, they set forward my calamity, they have no helper.
14 They came upon me as a wide breaking in of waters: in the desolation they rolled themselves upon me.
Job’s Prosperity Becomes Calamity
15 Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud.
16 And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.
17 My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest.
18 By the great force of my disease is my garment changed: it bindeth me about as the collar of my coat.
19 He has cast me into the mire, and I have become like dust and ashes.
20 I cry to you, and you dost not hear me: I stand up, and you regardest me not.
21 You have become cruel to me: with your strong hand you opposest thyself against me.
22 You liftest me up to the wind; you causest me to ride upon it, and dissolvest my substance.
23 For I know that you wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.
24 Yet he will not stretch out his hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction.
25 Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor?
26 When I looked for good, then evil came: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.
27 My bowels boiled, and rested not: the days of affliction came upon me.
28 I went mourning without the sun: I stood up, and I cried in the congregation.
29 I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.
30 My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.
31 My harp also is turned to mourning, and my flute into the voice of them that weep.
Job 31
Job’s Final Appeal
1 I Made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?
2 For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high?
3 Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?
4 Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?
5 If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot has hasted to deceit;
6 Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know my integrity.
7 If my step has turned out of the way, and my heart walked after my eyes, and if any blot has cleaved to my hands;
8 Then let me sow, and let another eat; yes, let my offspring be rooted out.
9 If my heart has been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbor’s door;
10 Then let my wife grind to another, and let others bow down upon her.
11 For this is a hainous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.
12 For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all my increase.
13 If I despised the cause of my man-servant or of my maid-servant, when they contended with me;
14 What then will I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what will I answer him?
15 Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?
16 If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;
17 Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless has not eaten of it;
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;)
19 If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;
20 If his loins have not blessed me, and if he has not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
21 If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:
22 Then let my arm fall from my shoulder-blade, and my arm be broken from the bone.
23 For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.
24 If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, You are my confidence;
25 If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gained much;
26 If I have beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness;
27 And my heart has been secretly enticed, or my mouth has kissed my hand:
28 This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.
29 If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or have lifted up myself when evil found him:
30 Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.
31 If the men of my tabernacle have not said, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.
32 The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveler.
33 If I have covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom:
34 Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?
35 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that my adversary had written a book.
36 Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me.
37 I would declare to him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near to him.
38 If my land cries against me, or its furrows likewise complain;
39 If I have eaten the fruits of it without money, or have caused its owners to lose their life:
40 Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.
Job 32
Elihu Rebukes Job’s Friends
1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. 3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 4 Now Elihu had waited until Job had spoken because they were older than he. 5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.
6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and you are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not show you my opinion.
7 I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.
8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.
10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show my opinion.
11 Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst you searched out what to say.
12 Yes, I attended to you, and behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:
13 Lest you should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.
14 Now he has not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.
15 They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.
16 When I had waited, (for they spoke not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
17 I said, I will answer also my part, I also will show my opinion.
18 For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.
19 Behold, my belly is as wine which has no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.
20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.
21 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles to man.
22 For I don't know to give flattering titles; in so doing, my Maker would soon take me away.
Job 33
Elihu Rebukes Job
1 Wherefore, Job, I pray you, hear my speeches, and listen to all my words.
2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue has spoken in my mouth.
3 My words will be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips will utter knowledge clearly.
4 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty has given me life.
5 If you canst answer me, set your words in order before me, stand up.
6 Behold, I am according to your wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
7 Behold, my terror will not make you afraid, neither will my hand be heavy upon you.
8 Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of your words, saying,
9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
10 Behold, he finds occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,
11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
12 Behold, in this you are not just: I will answer you, that God is greater than man.
13 Why dost you strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
14 For God speaketh once, yes twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty food.
21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22 Yes, his soul draweth near to the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
23 If there is a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man his uprightness:
24 Then he is cheerful to him, and says, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
25 His flesh will be fresher than a child’s: he will return to the days of his youth:
26 He will pray to God, and he will be favorable to him: and he will see his face with joy: for he will render to man his righteousness.
27 He looketh upon men, and if any will say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life will see the light.
29 Lo, all these things God often worketh with man,
30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
31 Mark well, O Job, listen to me: hold your peace, and I will speak.
32 If you have any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify you.
33 If not, listen to me: hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.
Job 34
Elihu Confirms God’s Justice
1 Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
2 Hear my words, O you wise men; and give ear to me, you that have knowledge.
3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth food.
4 Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job has said, I am righteous: and God has taken away my judgment.
6 Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.
7 What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
8 Who goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
9 For he has said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
10 Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
11 For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12 Yes, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
13 Who has given him a charge over the earth? or who has disposed the whole world?
14 If he should set his heart upon man, if he should gather to himself his spirit and his breath;
15 All flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.
16 If now you have understanding, hear this: listen to the voice of my words.
17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt you condemn him that is most just?
18 Is it fit to say to a king, You are wicked? and to princes, You are ungodly?
19 How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
20 In a moment they will die, and the people will be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty will be taken away without hand.
21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
24 He will break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27 Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come to him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
29 When 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:
30 That the pretender may not reign, lest the people should be ensnared.
31 Surely it is meet to be said to God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
32 That which I see not teach you me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
33 Should it be according to your mind? he will recompense it, whether you will refuse, or whether you will choose; and not I: therefore speak what you knowest.
34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man listen to me.
35 Job has spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
36 My desire is that Job may be tried to the end, because of his answers for wicked men.
37 For he addeth rebellion to his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
Job 35
Elihu Recalls God’s Justice
1 Elihu spoke moreover, and said,
2 Thinkest you this to be right, that you saidst, My righteousness is more than God’s?
3 For you saidst, What advantage will it be to you? and, What profit will I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?
4 I will answer you, and your companions with you.
5 Look to the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than you.
6 If you sinnest, what doest you against him? or if your transgressions are multiplied, what doest you to him?
7 If you are righteous, what givest you to him? or what receiveth he from your hand?
8 Thy wickedness may hurt a man as you are: and your righteousness may profit the son of man.
9 By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.
10 But none says, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;
11 Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the birds of heaven?
12 There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.
13 Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.
14 Although you sayest you are not to see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust you in him.
15 But now, because it is not so, he has visited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity:
16 Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.
Job 36
Elihu Describes God’s Power
1 Elihu also proceeded, and said,
2 Suffer me a little, and I will show you that I have yet to speak on God’s behalf.
3 I will bring my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4 For truly my words will not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with you.
5 Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.
6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.
7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yes, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.
8 And if they are bound in fetters, and are held in cords of affliction;
9 Then he showeth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
11 If they obey and serve him, they will spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
12 But if they obey not, they will perish by the sword, and they will die without knowledge.
13 But the pretenders in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.
14 They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.
15 He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
16 Even so would he have removed you out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on your table would be full of fatness.
17 But you have fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on you.
18 Because there is wrath, beware lest he take you away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver you.
19 Will he esteem your riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.
20 Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.
21 Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this have you chosen rather than affliction.
22 Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?
23 Who has enjoined him his way? or who can say, You have wrought iniquity?
24 Remember that you magnify his work, which men behold.
25 Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.
26 Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.
27 For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapor of it.
28 Which the clouds do drop and distill upon man abundantly.
29 Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?
30 Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.
31 For by them he judgeth the people; he giveth food in abundance.
32 With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the intervening cloud.
33 The noise of it showeth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapor.
Job 37
Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty
1 At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of its place.
2 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.
3 He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning to the ends of the earth.
4 After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellence; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.
5 God thundereth marvelously with his voice; great things he doeth, which we cannot comprehend.
6 For he says to the snow, Be you on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
7 He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
8 Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.
9 From the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold from the north.
10 By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
11 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
12 And it is turned around by his counsels: that they may do whatever he commandeth them upon the face of the world on the earth.
13 He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.
14 Hearken to this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
15 Dost you know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
16 Dost you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
17 How your garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?
18 Have you with him spread out the sky which is strong, and as a molten looking-glass?
19 Teach us what we will say to him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
20 Shall it be told him that I speak? If a man will speak, surely he will be swallowed up.
21 And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.
22 Fair weather cometh from the north: with God is terrible majesty.
23 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in abundance of justice: he will not afflict.
24 Men therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.
Job 38
The LORD Challenges Job
1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now your loins like a man; for I will demand of you, and answer you me.
4 Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if you have understanding.
5 Who has laid the measures of it, if you knowest? or who has stretched the line upon it?
6 Upon what are the foundations of it fastened? or who laid its corner stone;
7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?
9 When I made a cloud its garment, and thick darkness a swaddling band for it,
10 And broke up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,
11 And said, Hitherto you will come, but no further: and here will your proud waves be stayed.
12 Have you commanded the morning since your days; and caused the day-spring to know its place;
13 That it might take hold of the ends of earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?
14 It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
15 And from the wicked their light is withheld, and the high arm will be broken.
16 Have you entered into the springs of the sea? or have you walked in the search of the depth?
17 Have the gates of death been opened to you? or have you seen the doors of the shades of death?
18 Have you perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if you knowest it all.
19 Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is its place,
20 That you should take it to its bound, and that you should know the paths to its house?
21 Knowest you it, because you were then born? or because the number of your days is great?
22 Have you entered into the treasures of the snow? or have you seen the treasures of the hail,
23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
24 By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
25 Who has divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;
26 To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness in which there is no man;
27 To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?
28 Hath the rain a father? or who has fathered the drops of the dew?
29 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who has gendered it?
30 The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
31 Canst you bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?
32 Canst you bring forth Mazzaroth in its season? or canst you guide Arcturus with its sons?
33 Knowest you the ordinances of heaven? canst you set its dominion on the earth?
34 Canst you lift your voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover you?
35 Canst you send lightnings, that they may go, and say to you, Here we are?
36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? or who has given understanding to the heart?
37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,
38 When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?
39 Wilt you hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,
40 When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?
41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry to God, they wander for want of food.
Job 39
The LORD Speaks of His Creation
1 Knowest you the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst you mark when the hinds do calve?
2 Canst you number the months that they fulfill? or knowest you the time when they bring forth?
3 They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows.
4 Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not to them.
5 Who has sent out the wild ass free? or who has loosed the bands of the wild ass?
6 Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.
7 He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.
8 The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.
9 Will the unicorn be willing to serve you, or abide by your crib?
10 Canst you bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after you?
11 Wilt you trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt you leave your labor to him?
12 Wilt you believe him, that he will bring home your seed, and gather it into your barn?
13 Gavest you the goodly wings to the peacocks? or wings and feathers to the ostrich!
14 Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in the dust,
15 And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
16 She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labor is in vain without fear;
17 Because God has withheld wisdom from her, neither has he imparted to her understanding.
18 When she lifteth herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.
19 Have you given the horse strength? have you clothed his neck with thunder?
20 Canst you make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.
21 He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.
22 He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.
23 The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.
24 He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.
25 He says among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
26 Doth the hawk fly by your wisdom, and stretch her wings towards the south?
27 Doth the eagle mount up at your command, and make her nest on high?
28 She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place.
29 From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.
30 Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.
Job 40
Job Humbles Himself before the LORD
1 Moreover, the LORD answered Job, and said,
2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
3 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
4 Behold, I am vile; what will I answer you? I will lay my hand upon my mouth.
5 Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yes, twice; but I will proceed no further.
The LORD Challenges Job Again
6 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
7 Gird up your loins now like a man: I will demand of you, and declare you to me.
8 Wilt you also disannul my judgment? wilt you condemn me, that you may be righteous?
9 Have you an arm like God? or canst you thunder with a voice like his?
10 Deck thyself now with majesty and excellence; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
11 Cast abroad the rage of your wrath: and behold everyone that is proud, and abase him.
12 Look on everyone that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
13 Hide them in the dust together; bind their faces in secret.
14 Then will I also confess to you that your own right hand can save you.
15 Behold now behemoth, which I made with you; he eateth grass as an ox.
16 Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
17 He moves his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his male organs are wrapped together.
18 His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
19 He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach him.
20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
21 He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
22 The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook encompass him.
23 Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.
24 He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.
Job 41
The LORD’s Power Shown in Leviathan
1 Canst you draw out leviathan with a hook? or his tongue with a cord which you lettest down?
2 Canst you put a hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
3 Will he make many supplications to you? will he speak soft words to you?
4 Will he make a covenant with you? wilt you take him for a servant for ever?
5 Wilt you play with him as with a bird? or wilt you bind him for your maidens?
6 Shall the companions make a banquet of him? will they part him among the merchants.
7 Canst you fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?
8 Lay your hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.
9 Behold, the hope of him is in vain: will not one be cast down even at the sight of him?
10 None is so fierce that he dare rouse him: who then is able to stand before me?
11 Who has first benefited me, that I should repay him? whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.
12 I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion.
13 Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle?
14 Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible around.
15 His scales are his pride, shut together as with a close seal.
16 One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.
17 They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.
18 His sneezings flash light, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.
19 Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire dart forth.
20 Out of his nostrils issueth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
21 His breath kindleth coals, and a flame issueth from his mouth.
22 In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.
23 The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.
24 His heart is as firm as a stone; yes, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.
25 When he raiseth himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.
26 The sword of him that attacketh him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.
27 He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.
28 The arrow cannot make him flee: sling-stones are turned with him into stubble.
29 Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.
30 Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.
31 He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.
32 He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.
33 Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.
34 He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.
Job 42
Job Submits Himself to the LORD
1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
2 I know that you canst do everything, and that no thought can be withheld from you.
3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that which I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
4 Hear, I beseech you, and I will speak: I will ask of you, and declare you to me.
5 I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear: but now my eye seeth you.
6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
The LORD Rebukes Job’s Friends
7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against you, and against your two friends: for you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has. 8 Therefore take to you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer for yourselves a burnt-offering; and my servant Job will pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that you have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. 9 So 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.
The LORD Blesses Job
10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then came there to him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and ate bread with him in his house: and they condoled with 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 everyone an ear-ring of gold. 12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. 13 He had also seven sons, and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Keren-happuch. 15 And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. 16 After this Job lived a hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four generations. 17 So Job died, being old and full of days.
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