Job 1
1 There was a
man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and
upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. 2 And there were born unto
him seven sons and three daughters. 3 His substance also was seven thousand
sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five
hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the
greatest of all the men of the east. 4 And his sons went and feasted in their
houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat
and to drink with them. 5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were
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. 6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to
present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. 7 And the
LORD said 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. 8
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? 9 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job
fear God for nought? 10 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. 11 But put forth thine
hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12
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. 13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and
drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: 14 And there came a messenger
unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
15 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.
16 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. 17 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.
18 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: 19
And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four
corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I
only am escaped alone to tell thee. 20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and
shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, 21 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. 22 In
all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Job 2
1 Again there
was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and
Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. 2 And the LORD
said 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. 3
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. 4 And Satan answered the
LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his
life. 5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he
will curse thee to thy face. 6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in
thine hand; but save his life. 7 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. 8
And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the
ashes. 9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity?
curse God, and die. 10 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. 11 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. 12 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.
13 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.
Job 3
1 After this
opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day. 2 And Job spake, and said, 3 Let the
day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a
man child conceived. 4 Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from
above, neither let the light shine upon it. 5 Let darkness and the shadow of
death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify
it. 6 As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto
the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months. 7 Lo, let
that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein. 8 Let them curse it
that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning. 9 Let the stars
of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but have none; neither
let it see the dawning of the day: 10 Because it shut not up the doors of my
mother's womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes. 11 Why died I not from the womb? why
did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly? 12 Why did the knees
prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck? 13 For now should I have
lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest, 14
With kings and counsellors of the earth, which build desolate places for
themselves; 15 Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with
silver: 16 Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which
never saw light. 17 There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be
at rest. 18 There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the
oppressor. 19 The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his
master. 20 Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the
bitter in soul; 21 Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more
than for hid treasures; 22 Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they
can find the grave? 23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom
God hath hedged in? 24 For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are
poured out like the waters. 25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come
upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. 26 I was not in
safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.
Job 4
1 Then Eliphaz
the Temanite answered and said, 2 If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou
be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking? 3 Behold, thou hast
instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. 4 Thy words have
upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. 5
But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art
troubled. 6 Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness
of thy ways? 7 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or
where were the righteous cut off? 8 Even as I have seen, they that plow
iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. 9 By the blast of God they perish,
and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed. 10 The roaring of the
lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are
broken. 11 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps
are scattered abroad. 12 Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear
received a little thereof. 13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when
deep sleep falleth on men, 14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all
my bones to shake. 15 Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh
stood up: 16 It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image
was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying, 17 Shall
mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker? 18
Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:
19 How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in
the dust, which are crushed before the moth? 20 They are destroyed from morning
to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it. 21 Doth not their
excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.
Job 5
1 Call now, if
there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?
2 For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one. 3 I have
seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation. 4 His
children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neither is
there any to deliver them. 5 Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it
even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance. 6 Although
affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the
ground; 7 Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. 8 I would
seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: 9 Which doeth great things
and unsearchable; marvellous things without number: 10 Who giveth rain upon the
earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields: 11 To set up on high those that be
low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety. 12 He disappointeth the
devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise. 13
He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is
carried headlong. 14 They meet with darkness in the day time, and grope in the
noonday as in the night. 15 But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their
mouth, and from the hand of the mighty. 16 So the poor hath hope, and iniquity
stoppeth her mouth. 17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore
despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: 18 For he maketh sore, and
bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. 19 He shall deliver thee in
six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. 20 In famine he
shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword. 21 Thou
shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of
destruction when it cometh. 22 At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh:
neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. 23 For thou shalt be
in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at
peace with thee. 24 And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace;
and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin. 25 Thou shalt know also
that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth. 26
Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in
in his season. 27 Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know
thou it for thy good.
Job 6
1 But Job
answered and said, 2 Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity
laid in the balances together! 3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of
the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up. 4 For the arrows of the Almighty
are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do
set themselves in array against me. 5 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass?
or loweth the ox over his fodder? 6 Can that which is unsavoury be eaten
without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg? 7 The things that
my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat. 8 Oh that I might have my request;
and that God would grant me the thing that I long for! 9 Even that it would
please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off! 10
Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him
not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One. 11 What is my
strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my
life? 12 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass? 13 Is
not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me? 14 To him that is
afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of
the Almighty. 15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the
stream of brooks they pass away; 16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice,
and wherein the snow is hid: 17 What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it
is hot, they are consumed out of their place. 18 The paths of their way are
turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish. 19 The troops of Tema looked, the
companies of Sheba waited for them. 20 They were confounded because they had
hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed. 21 For now ye are nothing; ye see
my casting down, and are afraid. 22 Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward
for me of your substance? 23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem
me from the hand of the mighty? 24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and
cause me to understand wherein I have erred. 25 How forcible are right words!
but what doth your arguing reprove? 26 Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the
speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind? 27 Yea, ye overwhelm the
fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend. 28 Now therefore be content, look
upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie. 29 Return, I pray you, let it not
be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it. 30 Is there iniquity
in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
Job 7
1 Is there not
an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an
hireling? 2 As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling
looketh for the reward of his work: 3 So am I made to possess months of vanity,
and wearisome nights are appointed to me. 4 When I lie down, I say, When shall
I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the
dawning of the day. 5 My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin
is broken, and become loathsome. 6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle,
and are spent without hope. 7 O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall
no more see good. 8 The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more:
thine eyes are upon me, and I am not. 9 As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth
away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. 10 He shall
return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more. 11
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. 12 Am I a sea, or a
whale, that thou settest a watch over me? 13 When I say, My bed shall comfort
me, my couch shall ease my complaints; 14 Then thou scarest me with dreams, and
terrifiest me through visions: 15 So that my soul chooseth strangling, and
death rather than my life. 16 I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone;
for my days are vanity. 17 What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and
that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? 18 And that thou shouldest visit
him every morning, and try him every moment? 19 How long wilt thou not depart
from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle? 20 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? 21 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.
Job 8
1 Then answered
Bildad the Shuhite, and said, 2 How long wilt thou speak these things? and how
long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind? 3 Doth God pervert
judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice? 4 If thy children have sinned
against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression; 5 If thou
wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty; 6 If
thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the
habitation of thy righteousness prosperous. 7 Though thy beginning was small,
yet thy latter end should greatly increase. 8 For enquire, I pray thee, of the
former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers: 9 (For we are
but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)
10 Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?
11 Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water? 12
Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any
other herb. 13 So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's
hope shall perish: 14 Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a
spider's web. 15 He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall
hold it fast, but it shall not endure. 16 He is green before the sun, and his
branch shooteth forth in his garden. 17 His roots are wrapped about the heap,
and seeth the place of stones. 18 If he destroy him from his place, then it
shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee. 19 Behold, this is the joy of his
way, and out of the earth shall others grow. 20 Behold, God will not cast away
a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers: 21 Till he fill thy mouth
with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing. 22 They that hate thee shall be
clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.
Job 9
1 Then Job
answered and said, 2 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just
with God? 3 If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a
thousand. 4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened
himself against him, and hath prospered? 5 Which removeth the mountains, and
they know not: which overturneth them in his anger. 6 Which shaketh the earth
out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble. 7 Which commandeth the sun,
and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars. 8 Which alone spreadeth out the
heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea. 9 Which maketh Arcturus,
Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south. 10 Which doeth great things
past finding out; yea, and wonders without number. 11 Lo, he goeth by me, and I
see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. 12 Behold, he taketh
away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou? 13 If God
will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him. 14 How much
less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him? 15 Whom,
though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication
to my judge. 16 If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not
believe that he had hearkened unto my voice. 17 For he breaketh me with a
tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause. 18 He will not suffer me to
take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness. 19 If I speak of strength, lo,
he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead? 20 If I
justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it
shall also prove me perverse. 21 Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my
soul: I would despise my life. 22 This is one thing, therefore I said it, He
destroyeth the perfect and the wicked. 23 If the scourge slay suddenly, he will
laugh at the trial of the innocent. 24 The earth is given into the hand of the
wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is
he? 25 Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.
26 They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the
prey. 27 If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness,
and comfort myself: 28 I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not
hold me innocent. 29 If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain? 30 If I wash
myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; 31 Yet shalt thou
plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me. 32 For he is not a
man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in
judgment. 33 Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand
upon us both. 34 Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear
terrify me: 35 Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.
Job 10
1 My soul is
weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the
bitterness of my soul. 2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me
wherefore thou contendest with me. 3 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? 4 Hast thou eyes of flesh? or seest thou as man
seeth? 5 Are thy days as the days of man? are thy years as man's days, 6 That
thou enquirest after mine iniquity, and searchest after my sin? 7 Thou knowest
that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of thine hand. 8
Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost
destroy me. 9 Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and
wilt thou bring me into dust again? 10 Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and
curdled me like cheese? 11 Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast
fenced me with bones and sinews. 12 Thou hast granted me life and favour, and
thy visitation hath preserved my spirit. 13 And these things hast thou hid in
thine heart: I know that this is with thee. 14 If I sin, then thou markest me,
and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity. 15 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; 16 For it increaseth. Thou huntest me as a
fierce lion: and again thou shewest thyself marvellous upon me. 17 Thou
renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me;
changes and war are against me. 18 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! 19 I
should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the
womb to the grave. 20 Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that I
may take comfort a little, 21 Before I go whence I shall not return, even to
the land of darkness and the shadow of death; 22 A land of darkness, as
darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the
light is as darkness.
Job 11
1 Then answered
Zophar the Naamathite, and said, 2 Should not the multitude of words be
answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? 3 Should thy lies make
men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? 4
For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. 5 But oh
that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; 6 And that he would shew
thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know
therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. 7 Canst
thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto
perfection? 8 It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell;
what canst thou know? 9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and
broader than the sea. 10 If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then
who can hinder him? 11 For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will
he not then consider it? 12 For vain men would be wise, though man be born like
a wild ass's colt. 13 If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands
toward him; 14 If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not
wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. 15 For then shalt thou lift up thy face
without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear: 16 Because thou
shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away: 17 And thine
age shall be clearer than the noonday: thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as
the morning. 18 And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou
shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety. 19 Also thou shalt
lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their
hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.
Job 12
1 And Job
answered and said, 2 No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with
you. 3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea,
who knoweth not such things as these? 4 I am as one mocked of his neighbour,
who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to
scorn. 5 He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the
thought of him that is at ease. 6 The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they
that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly. 7 But ask
now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they
shall tell thee: 8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the
fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. 9 Who knoweth not in all these that
the hand of the LORD hath wrought this? 10 In whose hand is the soul of every
living thing, and the breath of all mankind. 11 Doth not the ear try words? and
the mouth taste his meat? 12 With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days
understanding. 13 With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and
understanding. 14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he
shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening. 15 Behold, he withholdeth the
waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.
16 With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his. 17
He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools. 18 He looseth
the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle. 19 He leadeth princes
away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty. 20 He removeth away the speech of
the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged. 21 He poureth
contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty. 22 He
discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow
of death. 23 He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the
nations, and straiteneth them again. 24 He taketh away the heart of the chief
of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where
there is no way. 25 They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to
stagger like a drunken man.
Job 13
1 Lo, mine eye
hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it. 2 What ye know, the
same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you. 3 Surely I would speak to the
Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. 4 But ye are forgers of lies, ye are
all physicians of no value. 5 O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and
it should be your wisdom. 6 Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings
of my lips. 7 Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him? 8
Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God? 9 Is it good that he should
search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him? 10 He will
surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons. 11 Shall not his
excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you? 12 Your remembrances
are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay. 13 Hold your peace, let me
alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will. 14 Wherefore do I take
my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand? 15 Though he slay me, yet
will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. 16 He also
shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. 17 Hear
diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears. 18 Behold now, I have
ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified. 19 Who is he that will
plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost. 20 Only
do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee. 21 Withdraw
thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid. 22 Then call
thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me. 23 How many are
mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin. 24
Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy? 25 Wilt thou
break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble? 26 For
thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities
of my youth. 27 Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly
unto all my paths; thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet. 28 And he,
as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten.
Job 14
1 Man that is
born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble. 2 He cometh forth like a
flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not. 3 And
doth thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with
thee? 4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. 5 Seeing his
days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast
appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; 6 Turn from him, that he may rest,
till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his day. 7 For there is hope of a
tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch
thereof will not cease. 8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the
stock thereof die in the ground; 9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud,
and bring forth boughs like a plant. 10 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea,
man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? 11 As the waters fail from the sea,
and the flood decayeth and drieth up: 12 So man lieth down, and riseth not:
till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their
sleep. 13 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! 14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed
time will I wait, till my change come. 15 Thou shalt call, and I will answer
thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands. 16 For now thou numberest
my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin? 17 My transgression is sealed up in
a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity. 18 And surely the mountains falling
cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of his place. 19 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. 20 Thou prevailest for ever against
him, and he passeth: thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. 21
His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but
he perceiveth it not of them. 22 But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and
his soul within him shall mourn.
Job 15
1 Then answered
Eliphaz the Temanite, and said, 2 Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill
his belly with the east wind? 3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or
with speeches wherewith he can do no good? 4 Yea, thou castest off fear, and
restrainest prayer before God. 5 For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and
thou choosest the tongue of the crafty. 6 Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and
not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee. 7 Art thou the first man that
was born? or wast thou made before the hills? 8 Hast thou heard the secret of
God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself? 9 What knowest thou, that we
know not? what understandest thou, which is not in us? 10 With us are both the
grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father. 11 Are the
consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee? 12
Why doth thine heart carry thee away? and what do thy eyes wink at, 13 That
thou turnest thy spirit against God, and lettest such words go out of thy
mouth? 14 What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a
woman, that he should be righteous? 15 Behold, he putteth no trust in his
saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight. 16 How much more
abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water? 17 I will
shew thee, hear me; and that which I have seen I will declare; 18 Which wise
men have told from their fathers, and have not hid it: 19 Unto whom alone the
earth was given, and no stranger passed among them. 20 The wicked man
travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the
oppressor. 21 A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer
shall come upon him. 22 He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness,
and he is waited for of the sword. 23 He wandereth abroad for bread, saying,
Where is it? he knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand. 24
Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a
king ready to the battle. 25 For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and
strengtheneth himself against the Almighty. 26 He runneth upon him, even on his
neck, upon the thick bosses of his bucklers: 27 Because he covereth his face
with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on his flanks. 28 And he dwelleth
in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabiteth, which are ready to
become heaps. 29 He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue,
neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth. 30 He shall not
depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and by the breath
of his mouth shall he go away. 31 Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity:
for vanity shall be his recompence. 32 It shall be accomplished before his
time, and his branch shall not be green. 33 He shall shake off his unripe grape
as the vine, and shall cast off his flower as the olive. 34 For the
congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the
tabernacles of bribery. 35 They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and
their belly prepareth deceit.
Job 16
1 Then Job
answered and said, 2 I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye
all. 3 Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou
answerest? 4 I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead,
I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you. 5 But I would
strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your
grief. 6 Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what
am I eased? 7 But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my
company. 8 And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against
me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face. 9 He teareth me
in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy
sharpeneth his eyes upon me. 10 They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they
have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves
together against me. 11 God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me
over into the hands of the wicked. 12 I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder:
he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for
his mark. 13 His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder,
and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground. 14 He breaketh me
with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant. 15 I have sewed
sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust. 16 My face is foul
with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death; 17 Not for any
injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure. 18 O earth, cover not thou my
blood, and let my cry have no place. 19 Also now, behold, my witness is in
heaven, and my record is on high. 20 My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth
out tears unto God. 21 O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man
pleadeth for his neighbour! 22 When a few years are come, then I shall go the
way whence I shall not return.
Job 17
1 My breath is
corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me. 2 Are there not
mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation? 3 Lay
down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with
me? 4 For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou
not exalt them. 5 He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of
his children shall fail. 6 He hath made me also a byword of the people; and
aforetime I was as a tabret. 7 Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and
all my members are as a shadow. 8 Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the
innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite. 9 The righteous also
shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and
stronger. 10 But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find
one wise man among you. 11 My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even
the thoughts of my heart. 12 They change the night into day: the light is short
because of darkness. 13 If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed
in the darkness. 14 I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm,
Thou art my mother, and my sister. 15 And where is now my hope? as for my hope,
who shall see it? 16 They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest
together is in the dust.
Job 18
1 Then answered
Bildad the Shuhite, and said, 2 How long will it be ere ye make an end of words?
mark, and afterwards we will speak. 3 Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and
reputed vile in your sight? 4 He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth
be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place? 5 Yea,
the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not
shine. 6 The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put
out with him. 7 The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own
counsel shall cast him down. 8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and
he walketh upon a snare. 9 The gin shall take him by the heel, and the robber
shall prevail against him. 10 The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a
trap for him in the way. 11 Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and
shall drive him to his feet. 12 His strength shall be hungerbitten, and
destruction shall be ready at his side. 13 It shall devour the strength of his
skin: even the firstborn of death shall devour his strength. 14 His confidence
shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall bring him to the king of
terrors. 15 It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his:
brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation. 16 His roots shall be dried
up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off. 17 His remembrance shall
perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street. 18 He shall be
driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world. 19 He shall neither
have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings. 20
They that come after him shall be astonied at his day, as they that went before
were affrighted. 21 Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is
the place of him that knoweth not God.
Job 19
1 Then Job
answered and said, 2 How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with
words? 3 These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make
yourselves strange to me. 4 And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error
remaineth with myself. 5 If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and
plead against me my reproach: 6 Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath
compassed me with his net. 7 Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I
cry aloud, but there is no judgment. 8 He hath fenced up my way that I cannot
pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths. 9 He hath stripped me of my glory,
and taken the crown from my head. 10 He hath destroyed me on every side, and I
am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree. 11 He hath also kindled his
wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies. 12 His
troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp round about
my tabernacle. 13 He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance
are verily estranged from me. 14 My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar
friends have forgotten me. 15 They that dwell in mine house, and my maids,
count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight. 16 I called my servant,
and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth. 17 My breath is
strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children's sake of mine own
body. 18 Yea, young children despised me; I arose, and they spake against me.
19 All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against
me. 20 My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the
skin of my teeth. 21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for
the hand of God hath touched me. 22 Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not
satisfied with my flesh? 23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they
were printed in a book! 24 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in
the rock for ever! 25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall
stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms
destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for
myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be
consumed within me. 28 But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root
of the matter is found in me? 29 Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth
the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.
Job 20
1 Then answered
Zophar the Naamathite, and said, 2 Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer,
and for this I make haste. 3 I have heard the check of my reproach, and the
spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer. 4 Knowest thou not this of
old, since man was placed upon earth, 5 That the triumphing of the wicked is
short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? 6 Though his excellency
mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; 7 Yet he shall
perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is
he? 8 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be
chased away as a vision of the night. 9 The eye also which saw him shall see
him no more; neither shall his place any more behold him. 10 His children shall
seek to please the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods. 11 His bones are
full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust. 12
Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue; 13
Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth: 14
Yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him. 15 He
hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast
them out of his belly. 16 He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue
shall slay him. 17 He shall not see the rivers, the floods, the brooks of honey
and butter. 18 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. 19 Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the
poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not; 20
Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that
which he desired. 21 There shall none of his meat be left; therefore shall no
man look for his goods. 22 In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in
straits: every hand of the wicked shall come upon him. 23 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. 24 He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the
bow of steel shall strike him through. 25 It is drawn, and cometh out of the
body; yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall: terrors are upon him.
26 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. 27 The
heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him. 28
The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the
day of his wrath. 29 This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the
heritage appointed unto him by God.
Job 21
1 But Job
answered and said, 2 Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your
consolations. 3 Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock
on. 4 As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my
spirit be troubled? 5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your
mouth. 6 Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my
flesh. 7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power? 8
Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before
their eyes. 9 Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon
them. 10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth
not her calf. 11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their
children dance. 12 They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of
the organ. 13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the
grave. 14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the
knowledge of thy ways. 15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and
what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? 16 Lo, their good is not in their
hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me. 17 How oft is the candle of the
wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God
distributeth sorrows in his anger. 18 They are as stubble before the wind, and
as chaff that the storm carrieth away. 19 God layeth up his iniquity for his
children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it. 20 His eyes shall see his
destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty. 21 For what
pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut
off in the midst? 22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those
that are high. 23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and
quiet. 24 His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
25 And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with
pleasure. 26 They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover
them. 27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully
imagine against me. 28 For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where
are the dwelling places of the wicked? 29 Have ye not asked them that go by the
way? and do ye not know their tokens, 30 That the wicked is reserved to the day
of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. 31 Who shall
declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done? 32 Yet
shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb. 33 The clods of
the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as
there are innumerable before him. 34 How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in
your answers there remaineth falsehood?
Job 22
1 Then Eliphaz
the Temanite answered and said, 2 Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that
is wise may be profitable unto himself? 3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty,
that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways
perfect? 4 Will he reprove thee for fear of thee? will he enter with thee into
judgment? 5 Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite? 6 For
thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, and stripped the naked of
their clothing. 7 Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou
hast withholden bread from the hungry. 8 But as for the mighty man, he had the
earth; and the honourable man dwelt in it. 9 Thou hast sent widows away empty,
and the arms of the fatherless have been broken. 10 Therefore snares are round
about thee, and sudden fear troubleth thee; 11 Or darkness, that thou canst not
see; and abundance of waters cover thee. 12 Is not God in the height of heaven?
and behold the height of the stars, how high they are! 13 And thou sayest, How
doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud? 14 Thick clouds are a
covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven. 15
Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden? 16 Which were cut
down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood: 17 Which said
unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them? 18 Yet he
filled their houses with good things: but the counsel of the wicked is far from
me. 19 The righteous see it, and are glad: and the innocent laugh them to
scorn. 20 Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire
consumeth. 21 Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good
shall come unto thee. 22 Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay
up his words in thine heart. 23 If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be
built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles. 24 Then shalt
thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks. 25
Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver.
26 For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy
face unto God. 27 Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee,
and thou shalt pay thy vows. 28 Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be
established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways. 29 When men are
cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the
humble person. 30 He shall deliver the island of the innocent: and it is
delivered by the pureness of thine hands.
Job 23
1 Then Job
answered and said, 2 Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier
than my groaning. 3 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come
even to his seat! 4 I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with
arguments. 5 I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand
what he would say unto me. 6 Will he plead against me with his great power? No;
but he would put strength in me. 7 There the righteous might dispute with him;
so should I be delivered for ever from my judge. 8 Behold, I go forward, but he
is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: 9 On the left hand,
where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right
hand, that I cannot see him: 10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he
hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 11 My foot hath held his steps, his
way have I kept, and not declined. 12 Neither have I gone back from the
commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my
necessary food. 13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his
soul desireth, even that he doeth. 14 For he performeth the thing that is
appointed for me: and many such things are with him. 15 Therefore am I troubled
at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him. 16 For God maketh my
heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me: 17 Because I was not cut off before
the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.
Job 24
1 Why, seeing
times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days?
2 Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof.
3 They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow's ox for a
pledge. 4 They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide
themselves together. 5 Behold, as wild asses in the desert, go they forth to
their work; rising betimes for a prey: the wilderness yieldeth food for them
and for their children. 6 They reap every one his corn in the field: and they
gather the vintage of the wicked. 7 They cause the naked to lodge without
clothing, that they have no covering in the cold. 8 They are wet with the
showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for want of a shelter. 9 They
pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor. 10 They
cause him to go naked without clothing, and they take away the sheaf from the
hungry; 11 Which make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, and
suffer thirst. 12 Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded
crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them. 13 They are of those that rebel
against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths
thereof. 14 The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and
in the night is as a thief. 15 The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the
twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth his face. 16 In the dark
they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime:
they know not the light. 17 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. 18 He
is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the
way of the vineyards. 19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so doth the grave
those which have sinned. 20 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. 21 He evil entreateth the barren that beareth not: and doeth not
good to the widow. 22 He draweth also the mighty with his power: he riseth up,
and no man is sure of life. 23 Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon
he resteth; yet his eyes are upon their ways. 24 They are exalted for a little
while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all
other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn. 25 And if it be not so now,
who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?Job 251 Then answered
Bildad the Shuhite, and said, 2 Dominion and fear are with him, he maketh peace
in his high places. 3 Is there any number of his armies? and upon whom doth not
his light arise? 4 How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be
clean that is born of a woman? 5 Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not;
yea, the stars are not pure in his sight. 6 How much less man, that is a worm?
and the son of man, which is a worm?
Job 26
1 But Job
answered and said, 2 How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest
thou the arm that hath no strength? 3 How hast thou counselled him that hath no
wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is? 4 To whom
hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee? 5 Dead things are
formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof. 6 Hell is naked
before him, and destruction hath no covering. 7 He stretcheth out the north
over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing. 8 He bindeth up the
waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them. 9 He holdeth
back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it. 10 He hath
compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end. 11
The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof. 12 He divideth
the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud.
13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the
crooked serpent. 14 Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion
is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?
Job 27
1 Moreover Job
continued his parable, and said, 2 As God liveth, who hath taken away my
judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul; 3 All the while my breath
is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; 4 My lips shall not speak
wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. 5 God forbid that I should justify you:
till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me. 6 My righteousness I hold
fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
7 Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the
unrighteous. 8 For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained,
when God taketh away his soul? 9 Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon
him? 10 Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?
11 I will teach you by the hand of God: that which is with the Almighty will I
not conceal. 12 Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; why then are ye thus
altogether vain? 13 This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the
heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty. 14 If his children
be multiplied, it is for the sword: and his offspring shall not be satisfied with
bread. 15 Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows
shall not weep. 16 Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as
the clay; 17 He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent
shall divide the silver. 18 He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth
that the keeper maketh. 19 The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be
gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not. 20 Terrors take hold on him as
waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night. 21 The east wind carrieth him
away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place. 22 For God
shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand. 23 Men
shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.
Job 28
1 Surely there
is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it. 2 Iron is
taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone. 3 He setteth an end
to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the
shadow of death. 4 The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters
forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men. 5 As for
the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire. 6
The stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold. 7 There
is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen: 8
The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it. 9 He
putteth forth his hand upon the rock; he overturneth the mountains by the
roots. 10 He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and his eye seeth every
precious thing. 11 He bindeth the floods from overflowing; and the thing that
is hid bringeth he forth to light. 12 But where shall wisdom be found? and
where is the place of understanding? 13 Man knoweth not the price thereof;
neither is it found in the land of the living. 14 The depth saith, It is not in
me: and the sea saith, It is not with me. 15 It cannot be gotten for gold,
neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. 16 It cannot be valued
with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. 17 The gold
and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels
of fine gold. 18 No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price
of wisdom is above rubies. 19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither
shall it be valued with pure gold. 20 Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is
the place of understanding? 21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living,
and kept close from the fowls of the air. 22 Destruction and death say, We have
heard the fame thereof with our ears. 23 God understandeth the way thereof, and
he knoweth the place thereof. 24 For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and
seeth under the whole heaven; 25 To make the weight for the winds; and he
weigheth the waters by measure. 26 When he made a decree for the rain, and a
way for the lightning of the thunder: 27 Then did he see it, and declare it; he
prepared it, yea, and searched it out. 28 And unto man he said, Behold, the
fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Job 29
1 Moreover Job
continued his parable, and said, 2 Oh that I were as in months past, as in the
days when God preserved me; 3 When his candle shined upon my head, and when by
his light I walked through darkness; 4 As I was in the days of my youth, when
the secret of God was upon my tabernacle; 5 When the Almighty was yet with me,
when my children were about me; 6 When I washed my steps with butter, and the
rock poured me out rivers of oil; 7 When I went out to the gate through the
city, when I prepared my seat in the street! 8 The young men saw me, and hid
themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up. 9 The princes refrained talking,
and laid their hand on their mouth. 10 The nobles held their peace, and their
tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. 11 When the ear heard me, then it
blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me: 12 Because I delivered
the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. 13
The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the
widow's heart to sing for joy. 14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my
judgment was as a robe and a diadem. 15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I
to the lame. 16 I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I
searched out. 17 And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out
of his teeth. 18 Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my
days as the sand. 19 My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all
night upon my branch. 20 My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my
hand. 21 Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel. 22
After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them. 23 And
they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the
latter rain. 24 If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my
countenance they cast not down. 25 I chose out their way, and sat chief, and
dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.
Job 30
1 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. 2 Yea, whereto might the strength of
their hands profit me, in whom old age was perished? 3 For want and famine they
were solitary; fleeing into the wilderness in former time desolate and waste. 4
Who cut up mallows by the bushes, and juniper roots for their meat. 5 They were
driven forth from among men, (they cried after them as after a thief;) 6 To
dwell in the cliffs of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks. 7
Among the bushes they brayed; under the nettles they were gathered together. 8
They were children of fools, yea, children of base men: they were viler than
the earth. 9 And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword. 10 They abhor me,
they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face. 11 Because he hath
loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before
me. 12 Upon my right hand rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they
raise up against me the ways of their destruction. 13 They mar my path, they set
forward my calamity, they have no helper. 14 They came upon me as a wide
breaking in of waters: in the desolation they rolled themselves upon me. 15
Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare
passeth away as a cloud. 16 And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of
affliction have taken hold upon me. 17 My bones are pierced in me in the night
season: and my sinews take no rest. 18 By the great force of my disease is my
garment changed: it bindeth me about as the collar of my coat. 19 He hath cast
me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes. 20 I cry unto thee, and
thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not. 21 Thou art
become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me. 22
Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to ride upon it, and dissolvest
my substance. 23 For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house
appointed for all living. 24 Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the
grave, though they cry in his destruction. 25 Did not I weep for him that was
in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor? 26 When I looked for good,
then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness. 27 My
bowels boiled, and rested not: the days of affliction prevented me. 28 I went
mourning without the sun: I stood up, and I cried in the congregation. 29 I am
a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls. 30 My skin is black upon me, and
my bones are burned with heat. 31 My harp also is turned to mourning, and my
organ into the voice of them that weep.
Job 31
1 I made a
covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? 2 For what
portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from
on high? 3 Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the
workers of iniquity? 4 Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps? 5 If I
have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; 6 Let me be
weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity. 7 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; 8 Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my
offspring be rooted out. 9 If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I
have laid wait at my neighbour's door; 10 Then let my wife grind unto another,
and let others bow down upon her. 11 For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is
an iniquity to be punished by the judges. 12 For it is a fire that consumeth to
destruction, and would root out all mine increase. 13 If I did despise the
cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me; 14 What
then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer
him? 15 Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion
us in the womb? 16 If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have
caused the eyes of the widow to fail; 17 Or have eaten my morsel myself alone,
and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; 18 (For from my youth he was brought
up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;) 19
If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;
20 If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece
of my sheep; 21 If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw
my help in the gate: 22 Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine
arm be broken from the bone. 23 For destruction from God was a terror to me,
and by reason of his highness I could not endure. 24 If I have made gold my
hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; 25 If I rejoice
because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much; 26 If I
beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; 27 And my
heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: 28 This also
were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God
that is above. 29 If I rejoice at the destruction of him that hated me, or
lifted up myself when evil found him: 30 Neither have I suffered my mouth to
sin by wishing a curse to his soul. 31 If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh
that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied. 32 The stranger did not lodge
in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller. 33 If I covered my
transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom: 34 Did I fear a
great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept
silence, and went not out of the door? 35 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my
desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had
written a book. 36 Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a
crown to me. 37 I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince
would I go near unto him. 38 If my land cry against me, or that the furrows
likewise thereof complain; 39 If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money,
or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life: 40 Let thistles grow
instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.
Job 32
1 So these three
men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 2 Then was
kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram:
against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than
God. 3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had
found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 4 Now Elihu had waited till Job had
spoken, because they were elder than he. 5 When Elihu saw that there was no
answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled. 6 And Elihu
the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very
old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. 7 I said,
Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. 8 But there is a
spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. 9
Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. 10
Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. 11 Behold, I
waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what
to say. 12 Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that
convinced Job, or that answered his words: 13 Lest ye should say, We have found
out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man. 14 Now he hath not directed his
words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches. 15 They were
amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking. 16 When I had waited,
(for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;) 17 I said, I will
answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion. 18 For I am full of matter,
the spirit within me constraineth me. 19 Behold, my belly is as wine which hath
no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. 20 I will speak, that I may be
refreshed: I will open my lips and answer. 21 Let me not, I pray you, accept
any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. 22 For I know
not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.
Job 33
1 Wherefore,
Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words. 2 Behold, now
I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth. 3 My words shall be
of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. 4
The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me
life. 5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up. 6
Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the
clay. 7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be
heavy upon thee. 8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard
the voice of thy words, saying, 9 I am clean without transgression, I am
innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. 10 Behold, he findeth occasions
against me, he counteth me for his enemy, 11 He putteth my feet in the stocks,
he marketh all my paths. 12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer
thee, that God is greater than man. 13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he
giveth not account of any of his matters. 14 For God speaketh once, yea twice,
yet man perceiveth it not. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep
sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 16 Then he openeth the
ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, 17 That he may withdraw man from
his purpose, and hide pride from man. 18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit,
and his life from perishing by the sword. 19 He is chastened also with pain
upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: 20 So that his
life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. 21 His flesh is consumed away,
that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. 22 Yea, his
soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. 23 If there
be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man
his uprightness: 24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from
going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. 25 His flesh shall be fresher
than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: 26 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. 27 He looketh upon men, and if
any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me
not; 28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall
see the light. 29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, 30 To
bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the
living. 31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
32 If thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify
thee. 33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee
wisdom.
Job 34
1 Furthermore
Elihu answered and said, 2 Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me,
ye that have knowledge. 3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
4 Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good. 5 For
Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment. 6 Should I
lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression. 7 What man
is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? 8 Which goeth in company with
the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men. 9 For he hath said, It
profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God. 10 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. 11 For the
work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according
to his ways. 12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty
pervert judgment. 13 Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath
disposed the whole world? 14 If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto
himself his spirit and his breath; 15 All flesh shall perish together, and man
shall turn again unto dust. 16 If now thou hast understanding, hear this:
hearken to the voice of my words. 17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and
wilt thou condemn him that is most just? 18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou
art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly? 19 How much less to him that
accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor?
for they all are the work of his hands. 20 In a moment shall they die, and the
people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be
taken away without hand. 21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth
all his goings. 22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers
of iniquity may hide themselves. 23 For he will not lay upon man more than
right; that he should enter into judgment with God. 24 He shall break in pieces
mighty men without number, and set others in their stead. 25 Therefore he
knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are
destroyed. 26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others; 27 Because
they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways: 28 So that
they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the
afflicted. 29 When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he
hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation,
or against a man only: 30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be
ensnared. 31 Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement,
I will not offend any more: 32 That which I see not teach thou me: if I have
done iniquity, I will do no more. 33 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. 34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let
a wise man hearken unto me. 35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words
were without wisdom. 36 My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because
of his answers for wicked men. 37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he
clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
Job 35
1 Elihu spake
moreover, and said, 2 Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My
righteousness is more than God's? 3 For thou saidst, What advantage will it be
unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin? 4 I
will answer thee, and thy companions with thee. 5 Look unto the heavens, and
see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou. 6 If thou sinnest, what
doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou
unto him? 7 If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of
thine hand? 8 Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness
may profit the son of man. 9 By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make
the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty. 10 But
none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night; 11 Who
teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the
fowls of heaven? 12 There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the
pride of evil men. 13 Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the
Almighty regard it. 14 Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet
judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him. 15 But now, because it is
not so, he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity:
16 Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without
knowledge.
Job 36
1 Elihu also
proceeded, and said, 2 Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet
to speak on God's behalf. 3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will
ascribe righteousness to my Maker. 4 For truly my words shall not be false: he
that is perfect in knowledge is with thee. 5 Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth
not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom. 6 He preserveth not the life of
the wicked: but giveth right to the poor. 7 He withdraweth not his eyes from
the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them
for ever, and they are exalted. 8 And if they be bound in fetters, and be
holden in cords of affliction; 9 Then he sheweth them their work, and their
transgressions that they have exceeded. 10 He openeth also their ear to
discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity. 11 If they obey and
serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in
pleasures. 12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they
shall die without knowledge. 13 But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they
cry not when he bindeth them. 14 They die in youth, and their life is among the
unclean. 15 He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in
oppression. 16 Even so would he have removed 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. 17 But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the
wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee. 18 Because there is wrath,
beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot
deliver thee. 19 Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of
strength. 20 Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place. 21
Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
22 Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him? 23 Who hath
enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity? 24 Remember
that thou magnify his work, which men behold. 25 Every man may see it; man may
behold it afar off. 26 Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can
the number of his years be searched out. 27 For he maketh small the drops of
water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof: 28 Which the clouds
do drop and distil upon man abundantly. 29 Also can any understand the
spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle? 30 Behold, he
spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea. 31For by them
judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance. 32 With clouds he covereth
the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt. 33
The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.
Job 37
1 At this also
my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place. 2 Hear attentively the noise
of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth. 3 He directeth it
under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth. 4 After
it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will
not stay them when his voice is heard. 5 God thundereth marvellously with his
voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. 6 For he saith to the
snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain
of his strength. 7 He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know
his work. 8 Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places. 9 Out of
the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north. 10 By the breath of
God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened. 11 Also by
watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud: 12 And it
is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he
commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth. 13 He causeth it to
come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy. 14 Hearken unto
this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. 15 Dost thou
know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine? 16
Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is
perfect in knowledge? 17 How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth
by the south wind? 18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong,
and as a molten looking glass? 19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we
cannot order our speech by reason of darkness. 20 Shall it be told him that I
speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up. 21 And now men see not
the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.
22 Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty. 23
Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in
judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict. 24 Men do therefore
fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.
Job 38
1 Then the LORD
answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 2 Who is this that darkeneth
counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I
will demand of thee, and answer thou me. 4 Where wast thou when I laid the
foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. 5 Who hath laid the
measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? 6
Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone
thereof; 7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God
shouted for joy? 8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as
if it had issued out of the womb? 9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof,
and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it, 10 And brake up for it my decreed
place, and set bars and doors, 11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no
further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed? 12 Hast thou commanded the
morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; 13 That it
might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out
of it? 14 It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment. 15 And
from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken. 16
Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the
search of the depth? 17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast
thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? 18 Hast thou perceived the breadth
of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all. 19 Where is the way where light
dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof, 20 That thou
shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths
to the house thereof? 21 Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or
because the number of thy days is great? 22 Hast thou entered into the
treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, 23 Which I
have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
24 By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the
earth? 25 Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a
way for the lightning of thunder; 26 To cause it to rain on the earth, where no
man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man; 27 To satisfy the desolate
and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth? 28
Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew? 29 Out of whose
womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? 30 The
waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. 31 Canst
thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? 32
Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus
with his sons? 33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the
dominion thereof in the earth? 34 Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds,
that abundance of waters may cover thee? 35 Canst thou send lightnings, that
they may go and say unto thee, Here we are? 36 Who hath put wisdom in the
inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? 37 Who can number
the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, 38 When the dust
groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together? 39 Wilt thou hunt
the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions, 40 When they
couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait? 41 Who provideth
for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack
of meat.
Job 39
1 Knowest thou
the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when
the hinds do calve? 2 Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest
thou the time when they bring forth? 3 They bow themselves, they bring forth
their young ones, they cast out their sorrows. 4 Their young ones are in good
liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them. 5 Who
hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?
6 Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings. 7
He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the
driver. 8 The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after
every green thing. 9 Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy
crib? 10 Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he
harrow the valleys after thee? 11 Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is
great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him? 12 Wilt thou believe him, that he
will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn? 13 Gavest thou the
goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? 14
Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust, 15 And
forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
16 She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not her's: her
labour is in vain without fear; 17 Because God hath deprived her of wisdom,
neither hath he imparted to her understanding. 18 What time she lifteth up
herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider. 19 Hast thou given the
horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? 20 Canst thou make him
afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible. 21 He paweth in
the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.
22 He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the
sword. 23 The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.
24 He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that
it is the sound of the trumpet. 25 He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he
smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting. 26
Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south? 27
Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high? 28 She
dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong
place. 29 From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off. 30
Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.
Job 40
1 Moreover the
LORD answered Job, and said, 2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty
instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. 3 Then Job answered the
LORD, and said, 4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine
hand upon my mouth. 5 Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice;
but I will proceed no further. 6 Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the
whirlwind, and said, 7 Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee,
and declare thou unto me. 8 Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou
condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous? 9 Hast thou an arm like God? or
canst thou thunder with a voice like him? 10 Deck thyself now with majesty and
excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty. 11 Cast abroad the rage of
thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him. 12 Look on every
one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
13 Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret. 14 Then will
I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee. 15 Behold now
behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. 16 Lo now, his
strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. 17 He
moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together. 18
His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron. 19 He
is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to
approach unto him. 20 Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the
beasts of the field play. 21 He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of
the reed, and fens. 22 The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows
of the brook compass him about. 23 Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth
not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth. 24 He taketh it
with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.
Job 41
1 Canst thou
draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest
down? 2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a
thorn? 3 Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words
unto thee? 4 Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a
servant for ever? 5 Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind
him for thy maidens? 6 Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they
part him among the merchants? 7 Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or
his head with fish spears? 8 Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do
no more. 9 Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even
at the sight of him? 10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is
able to stand before me? 11 Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him?
whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine. 12 I will not conceal his parts,
nor his power, nor his comely proportion. 13 Who can discover the face of his
garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle? 14 Who can open the
doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about. 15 His scales are his
pride, shut up together as with a close seal. 16 One is so near to another,
that no air can come between them. 17 They are joined one to another, they
stick together, that they cannot be sundered. 18 By his neesings a light doth
shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. 19 Out of his mouth go
burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out. 20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke,
as out of a seething pot or caldron. 21 His breath kindleth coals, and a flame
goeth out of his mouth. 22 In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned
into joy before him. 23 The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are
firm in themselves; they cannot be moved. 24 His heart is as firm as a stone;
yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone. 25 When he raiseth up himself,
the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves. 26 The
sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the
habergeon. 27 He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood. 28 The
arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble. 29
Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear. 30 Sharp
stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire. 31 He
maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.
32 He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.
33 Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear. 34 He beholdeth
all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.
Job 42
1 Then Job
answered the LORD, and said, 2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that
no thought can be withholden from thee. 3 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. 4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will
demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 5 I have heard of thee by the hearing
of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. 6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent
in dust and ashes. 7 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. 8 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. 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the
Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded
them: the LORD also accepted Job. 10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job,
when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had
before. 11 Then came there 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. 12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more
than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand
camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. 13 He had also
seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first, Jemima;
and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch. 15
And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and
their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. 16 After this lived
Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, even four
generations. 17 So Job died, being old and full of days.
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