and they are exalted. Should they fall into sin and temptation, and are thereby held in the cords of affliction,

19. He then sheweth them their errors, exerciseth over them his fatherly correction, and commanded them to return to the path of duty.

20. If then they obey and serve him, they will spend their days in peace and tranquillity; if they do not obey him, they will perish in their sins and die without knowledge.

21. But the profligates in heart heap up disquietude they cry in vain and there is none to deliver them, their life is with the unclean, and their death untimely.

CHAP. XVII.

Ends Elihu's Observations.

"Learn, Job, that misery ever follows sin,
From human errors human ills begin.
Th' Almighty mind, is all perfection great,
Above low envy and capricious hate,
When erring mortals in his bonds he holds,
Their ear he touches, and their sins unfolds;
Humbles their pride, their self-deception breaks,
And slumb'ring conscience to its charge awakes.
If to his high commands their ear they bow,
And faithful keep the penitential vow;
Sweet days ensue, bright is their ev'ning scene,
And death comes late, and with a look serene.”

1. ELIHU spake moreover to Job, and said, 2. Suffer me again to speak in God's stead, I will bring my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

3. For truly my words shall not be false, neither will make use of abstruse arguments.

4. Touching the Almighty we cannot search him out: he is great in power and wise in judgment, and will not afflict but in justice.

5. Every man may see it: behold, he is infinite, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.

6. For the eyes of the Almighty are upon the ways of men; he seeth all their doings, and setteth at nought the wicked in the open sight of others.

7. Because they wilfully turn from him, conceiving in their hearts, "It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself in God."

8. Therefore, knowing their thoughts and devices, He overturneth them, so that they are crushed, and none to deliver them.

9. He beholdeth all high things, respecteth none who are vain and conceited, but is a terror to all the sons of pride.

10. Abhorring those who are ostentatious, debasing them to the dust, he alloweth others to fill their places.

11. He sendeth his interpreters, one among a thousand, to explain and warn men of their danger, and shew his willingness to save them from the pit of destruction.

12. If they obey his laws, he will grant their requests; they will behold his face with joy, and finally obtain his forgiveness.

13. Wherefore Job, consider and hearken to my words. Thou erroneously hast said "My doctrine is pure and I am clean," but

remember that God exacteth of thee less than thine errors deserve.

14. Thou art forward in fulfilling the judg ment of the wicked: justice therefore hath again taken hold on thee.

15. But in future, cleave to those things that are honest and of good report, and have no more fellowship with the ungodly.

16. Regard not iniquity: for this thou hast adhered to, rather than submission, and these thy doings have been thy folly.

17. Magnify therefore thy Maker's work, and suspect not the rectitude of his dispensations.

CHAP. XIX.

Job's last reply to his censorious friends, with his closing address to God.

"Almighty God, in pity set me free, And let me once again thy mercy see!

So shall the voice of my complaining cease,

And Job's last breath shall bless Thee for his peace."

1. JOB, wearied out with the severe reproaches of his friends, answered and said,

2. Wherefore these incessant criminations and admonitions? Wherefore do ye fill your mouths with words of reproof, and thus address me with language so unfriendly?

3. According to your professions, had I not reason to expect that your words would have

been uprightness and candour, and that your lips would have taught knowledge and wisdom.

4. But how have ye counselled him, that hath no wisdom? or supported the feeble arm that hath no strength?

5. How have ye helped the afflicted who is without power? or when have ye fully declared things as they are?

6. I am assured that God is supreme over all the earth, and know as well as ye, that his judgments are equity and truth.

7. But whence cometh wisdom and under, standing? Man knoweth not the value thereof, neither is it to be found in the land of the living.

8. The depth of the earth saith, it is not in me and the springs in the sea say, it is not with us neither the gold of ophir; the precious onyx, or the wealth of Peru can equal it.

9. God only knows the place thereof, his ways are known to himself, and communicates to man what he thinks fit.

10. To Him, therefore, will I refer my cause, and my supplication shall ascend to his mercy's seat.

11. He knows my wants and desires, and the thoughts and intentions of every one are naked and open to the view of his omniscience.

12. His providence is displayed throughout the universe, and all nature is subject to his control.

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13. He compasseth the water with bounds until day and night come to an end; the pillars of heaven tremble, and are astonished at his reproof.

14. He stretcheth out the north over the empty place; suspendeth the earth upon nothing, and bindeth up the waters in the thick clouds.

15. He causeth the vapours to ascend, he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth the winds from his treasures.

16. His power and goodness descend to the earth, whereby he satisfieth the desolate and waste ground, which causeth the tender herb to shoot forth.

17. By his almighty wisdom the heavens are garnished, his hand also hath formed the crooked serpent.

18. Lo! these are but parts of his doings, and how small a portion is heard of him; being of oue mind in all his ways, he performeth all things as he pleaseth.

19. I will, therefore, adhere to his counsel; I will obey his precepts, and hope in his mercy, until I go hence and be no more seen.

20. I know, O Lord, thou canst do all things; I revere thy power, and the rectitude of thy ways.

21. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee. 22. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

23. I have uttered things that I understood not, things too wonderful for me that I could not comprehend.