Bildad shews God's justice. CHAP. VIII, IX. transgression, and take away mine iniqui- HEN answered Bildad the Shuhite, Tand said, No contending 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 hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? 5 Which removeth the mountains, and they know not which overturneth them 2 How long wilt thou speak these in his anger; things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind? 3 Doth God pervert judgment; or doth the Almighty pervert justice? 4 If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression; 5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty; 6 Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble; 7 Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars; 8 Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea; 9 Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south; 10 Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number. 6 If thou wert pure and upright, surely now he would awake for thee, and make 11 Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him the habitation of thy righteousness pros- not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him perous. 7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase. 8 For inquire, I pray thee, 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 Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart? 11 Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water? 12 Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb. 13 So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish: 14 Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web. 15 He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall 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 destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee. 19 Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow. 20 Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers : 21 Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing. not. 12 Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou? 13 If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him. 14 How much less shall 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 would I not believe that he had hearkened unto 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 shall set me a time to plead? 20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: If I say, I am perfect, it shall also 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 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 the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he? 25 Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good. T 26 They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey 22 They that hate thee shall be clothed 27 If I say, I will forget my complaint, with shame; and the dwelling-place of I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort the wicked shall come to nought. ΤΗ CHAP. IX. HEN Job answered and said, 2 I know it is so of a truth: should man be just with God? but how myself: 28 I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent. 29 If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain? Job expostulates with God. JOB. God's wisdom is unsearchable. 30 If I wash myself with snow-water, given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me! and make my hands never so clean; 31 Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor 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 shall not return, even to the land of darkness, and the shadow of death; 22 A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkCHAP. XI. ness. Y soul is weary of my life; I will HEN answered Zophar the Naama- MY will speak in the bitterness of my soul." 2 Should not the multitude of words be 2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn answered? and should a man full of talk me; shew me wherefore thou contendest be justified? with me. 3 Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thy hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked? 4 Hast thou eyes of flesh? or seest thou as man seeth? 5 Are thy days as the days of man? are thy years as man's days, 6 That thou inquirest aftermine iniquity, and searchest after my sin? 3 Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? 4 For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. 5 But Oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; 6 And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. 7 Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of 7 Canst thou by searching find out God? thy hand. canst thou find out the Almighty unto per8 Thy hands have made me and fash-fection? ioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me. 9 Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again? 10 Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? 11 Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews. 12 Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit. 8 It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? 9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea. 10 If he 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 be born like a wild ass's colt. 13 If thou prepare thy heart, and 13 And these things hast thou hid in stretch out thy hands toward him; thine heart: I know that this is with thee. 14 If iniquity be in thy hand, put it 14 If I sin, then thou markest me, far away, and let not wickedness dwell in and thou wilt not acquit me from mine thy tabernacles. iniquity. 15 For then shalt thou lift up thy face 15 If I be wicked, wo unto me; and if without spot; yea, thou shalt be steadI be righteous, yet will I not lift up my fast, and shalt not fear: head. I am full of confusion; therefore 16 Because thou shalt forget thy misery, see thou mine affliction; and remember it as waters that pass 16 For it increaseth. Thou huntest me away; as a fierce lion; and again thou shewest thyself marvellous upon me. 17 Thou rene west thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon 17 And thine age shall be clearer than the noon-day: thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning. 18 And thou shalt be secure, because me; changes and war are against me. there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety. 19 Also thou shalt lie down, and none 18 Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had The omnipotence of God. CHAP. XII, XIII. shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee. 20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost. CHAP. XII. AND Job answered and said, 2 No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you. 3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these? 4 I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn. 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 shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: 8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee; and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. 9 Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? Job reproves his friends. 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. CHAP. XIII. O, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it. 2 What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you. 3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. 4 But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value. 50 that ye would altogether hold your peace; and it should be your wisdom. 6 Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips. 7 Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him? 8 Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God? 9 Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him? 10 He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons. 11 Shall not his excellency make you fraid? and his dread fall upon you? 12 Your remembrances are like unto 10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all man-ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay. kind. 11 Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat? 12 With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding. 13 With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding. 13 Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will. 14 Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand? 15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. 14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up ala 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 counsellors 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. 16 He also shall be my salvation: for hypocrite shall 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 shall be justified. 19 Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost. 20 Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee. 21 Withdraw thy hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid. 22 Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me. 23 How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin. 21 He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty. 24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and 22 He discovereth deep things out of holdest me for thine enemy? darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death. 23 He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straighteneth them again. 24 He taketh away the heart of the 25 Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble? 26 For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth. 27 Thou puttest my feet also in the Job entreats God's favour JOB. Eliphaz reproves Job. 4 22 But his flesh upon him shall have pain, stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my of my feet. CHAP. XV. HEN answered Eliphaz the Tema And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, THEN, and said, as a garment that is moth-eaten. CHAP. XIV. MAN [AN 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 thou open thine eyes upon such a one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?. 4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. 5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; 6 Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as a hireling, his day. 7 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. 8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof 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: yea, man giveth up the ghost, 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: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.. 13 0 that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! 14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. 15 Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thy hands. 16 For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin? a 17 My transgression is sealed up in bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity. 18 And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of his place. 2 Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind? 3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good? 4 Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God. 5 For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty. 6 Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not 1: yea, thine own lips testify against thee. 7 Art thou the first man that was born? or wast thou made before the hills? 8 Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself? 9 What knowest thou that we know not? what understandest thou, which is not in us? 10 With us are both the gray-headed and very aged men, much elder than thy father. 11 Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee? 12 Why doth thy heart carry thee away? and what do thine eyes wink at, 13 That thou turnest thy spirit against God, and lettest such words go out of thy mouth? 14 What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? 15 Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight. 16 How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water? 17 I will shew thee, 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 Unto 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 shall come upon him. 19 The waters wear the stones: thou 22 He believeth not that he shall return washest away the things which grow out of out of darkness, and he is waited for of the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hope of man. 20 Thou prevailest for ever against him, and be passeth: thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. 21 His sons come to honour, and be knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them. the sword. 23 He wandere th abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? he knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand. 24 Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle. 25 For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the He appeals to God. 13 His archers compass me round about; he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the 26 He runneth upon him, even on his neck, upon the thick bosses of his bucklers: ground. 27 Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on breach, he runneth upon me like a giant. his flanks. 28 And he dwelleth in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabiteth, which are ready to become heaps. 29 He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth. 30 He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away. 31 Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompense. 32 It shall be accomplished before his time, and his branch shall not be green. 33 He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his flower as the olive. 14 He breaketh me with breach upon 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 is the shadow of death; 17 Not for any injustice in my hands: also my prayer is pure. 18 earth, cover not thou 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 mine eye poureth out tears unto God. 210 that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour! 22 When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return. CHAP. XVII. 34 For the congregation of hypocrites MY breath is corrupt, my days are exshall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery. 35 They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit. CHAP. XVI. HEN Job answered and said, TH 2 I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all. 3 Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest? 4 I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake 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 eased? I 7 But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company. 8 And thou hast 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; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me. 10 They have gaped upon me with their I mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me. 11 God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked. 12 I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark. tinct, the graves are ready for me. 2 Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation? 3 Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee: who is he that will strike hands with me? 4 For thou hast hid their heart from understanding; therefore shalt thou not exalt them. 5 He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail. 6 He hath made me also a by-word of the people: and aforetime I was as a tabret. 7 Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow. 8 Upright men shall be astonished at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite. 9 The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. 10 But as for you all, do ye 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: have made my bed in the darkness. 14 I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister. 15 And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it? 16 They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust. CHAP. XVIII. THEN answered Bildad the Shuhite, T and said, |