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