\id JOB - Christian Standard Bible® in English
\ide UTF-8
\rem Copyright © 2017-2020 by Holman Bible Publishers
\rem Language: English
\rem Text update February 2024
\toc3 Jb
\toc2 Job
\toc1 Job
\mt Job
\c 1
\s1 Job and His Family
\m
\v 1 There was a man in the country of Uz~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:1 \ft \+xt Jr 25:20; Lm 4:21\+xt*\f* named Job.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:1 \ft \+xt Ezk 14:14,20; Jms 5:11\+xt*\f* He was a man of complete integrity,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:1 \ft \+xt Jb 2:3; 8:20; 9:20–22\+xt*\f* who feared God and turned away from evil.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:1 \ft \+xt Jb 28:28; Pr 3:7\+xt*\f*
\v 2 He had seven sons and three daughters.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:2 \ft \+xt Jb 42:13\+xt*\f*
\v 3 His estate included seven thousand sheep and goats, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:3 \ft \+xt Jb 42:12\+xt*\f* and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man among all the people of the east.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:3 \ft \+xt 1Kg 4:30; Is 11:14; Jr 49:28; Ezk 25:4,10\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 4 His sons used to take turns having banquets at their homes. They would send an invitation to their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
\v 5 Whenever a round of banqueting was over, Job would send for his children and purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 1:5 \ft Lit \fqa for the number of\f* all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned, having cursed God in their hearts.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:5 \ft \+xt Jb 42:8\+xt*\f* This was Job’s regular practice.
\s1 Satan’s First Test of Job
\m
\v 6 One day the sons of God~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:6 \ft \+xt Gn 6:2,4; Jb 2:1; 38:7\+xt*\f* came to present themselves before the \nd Lord\nd*, and Satan~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 1:6 \ft Or \fqa the adversary\f* also came with them.
\v 7 The \nd Lord\nd* asked Satan, “Where have you come from?~”
\p “From roaming through the earth,”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:7 \ft \+xt 1Pt 5:8\+xt*\f* Satan answered him, “and walking around on it.”
\p
\v 8 Then the \nd Lord\nd* said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:8 \ft \+xt Ps 25:21; Pr 29:10\+xt*\f* who fears God and turns away from evil.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:8 \ft \+xt Jb 28:28; Pr 3:7; 13:19; 14:16; 16:6,17\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 9 Satan answered the \nd Lord\nd*, “Does Job fear God for nothing?
\v 10 Haven’t you placed a hedge around~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:10 \ft \+xt Ps 34:7\+xt*\f* him, his household, and everything he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
\v 11 But stretch out your hand and strike~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:11 \ft \+xt Jb 2:5; 4:5; 5:19\+xt*\f* everything he owns, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
\p
\v 12 “Very well,” the \nd Lord\nd* told Satan, “everything he owns is in your power. However, do not lay a hand on Job himself.” So Satan left the \nd Lord\nd*’s presence.
\p
\v 13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,
\v 14 a messenger came to Job and reported, “While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys grazing nearby,
\v 15 the Sabeans~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:15 \ft \+xt Gn 10:7; Jb 6:19; Is 45:14\+xt*\f* swooped down and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!~”
\p
\v 16 He was still speaking when another messenger came and reported, “God’s fire fell from heaven.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:16 \ft \+xt Gn 19:24; 1Kg 18:38; 2Kg 1:10–14\+xt*\f* It burned the sheep and the servants and devoured them, and I alone have escaped to tell you!~”
\p
\v 17 That messenger was still speaking when yet another came and reported, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, made a raid on the camels, and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!~”
\p
\v 18 He was still speaking when another messenger came and reported, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house.
\v 19 Suddenly a powerful wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people so that they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you!~”
\p
\v 20 Then Job stood up, tore~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:20 \ft \+xt Gn 37:29,34; Jos 7:6; Jb 2:12\+xt*\f* his robe, and shaved~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:20 \ft \+xt Jr 7:29; Ezk 7:18; Mc 1:16\+xt*\f* his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,
\v 21 saying:
\q Naked I came from~my~mother’s~womb,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:21 \ft \+xt Jb 3:10–11; 10:17–18; Jr 20:17–18\+xt*\f*
\q and naked I~will~leave this~life.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 1:21 \ft Lit \fqa will return there\ft ; Ps 139:13,15\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:21 \ft \+xt Ps 139:13,15\+xt*\f*
\q The \nd Lord\nd* gives, and~the~\nd Lord\nd* takes~away.
\q Blessed be~the~name of~the~\nd Lord\nd*.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:21 \ft \+xt Jb 38:1; Ps 113:2; 118:26\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 22 Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 1:22 \ft Lit \fqa or ascribe blame to God\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 1:22 \ft \+xt Jb 2:10\+xt*\f*
\c 2
\s1 Satan’s Second Test of Job
\m
\v 1 One day the sons of God~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:1 \ft \+xt Gn 6:2,4; Jb 1:6; 38:7\+xt*\f* came again to present themselves before the \nd Lord\nd*, and Satan also came with them to present himself before the \nd Lord\nd*.
\v 2 The \nd Lord\nd* asked Satan, “Where have you come from?~”
\p “From roaming through the earth,” Satan answered him, “and walking around on it.”
\p
\v 3 Then the \nd Lord\nd* said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:3 \ft \+xt Jb 6:29\+xt*\f* who fears God and turns away from evil.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:3 \ft \+xt Jb 1:1,8; 28:28; Pr 3:7\+xt*\f* He still retains his integrity, even though you incited me against him, to destroy him for no good reason.”
\p
\v 4 “Skin for skin!~” Satan answered the \nd Lord\nd*. “A man will give up everything he owns in exchange for his life.
\v 5 But stretch out your hand and strike~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:5 \ft \+xt Jb 1:11; 4:5; 19:21\+xt*\f* his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.”
\p
\v 6 “Very well,” the \nd Lord\nd* told Satan, “he is in your power; only spare his life.”
\v 7 So Satan left the \nd Lord\nd*’s presence and infected Job with terrible boils from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:7 \ft \+xt Dt 28:27,35\+xt*\f*
\v 8 Then Job took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself while he sat among the ashes.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:8 \ft \+xt 2Sm 13:19; Jb 42:6\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!~”
\p
\v 10 “You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her. “Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?~” Throughout all this Job did not sin in what he said.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 2:10 \ft Lit \fqa sin with his lips\f*
\s1 Job’s Three Friends
\m
\v 11 Now when Job’s three friends~#—~#Eliphaz the Temanite,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:11 \ft \+xt Gn 36:34; 1Ch 1:45; Jb 42:9\+xt*\f* Bildad the Shuhite,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:11 \ft \+xt Gn 25:2; Jb 8:1; 18:1\+xt*\f* and Zophar the Naamathite~#—~#heard about all this adversity that had happened to him, each of them came from his home. They met together to go and sympathize with him and comfort~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:11 \ft \+xt Jb 42:11; Ps 69:20; Jr 16:5\+xt*\f* him.
\v 12 When they looked from a distance, they could barely recognize him. They wept aloud,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:12 \ft \+xt Jdg 21:2; Ru 1:9,14; 2Sm 13:36\+xt*\f* and each man tore his robe and threw dust into the air and on his head.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:12 \ft \+xt Jos 7:6; Lm 2:10; Ezk 27:30\+xt*\f*
\v 13 Then they sat on the ground with him seven days and nights,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:13 \ft \+xt Gn 50:10; Ezk 3:15; 45:21\+xt*\f* but no one spoke a word to him because they saw that his suffering~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 2:13 \ft \+xt Gn 34:5; Jb 16:6; Ps 39:2\+xt*\f* was very intense.
\c 3
\s1 Job’s Opening Speech
\m
\v 1 After this, Job began to speak and cursed the day he was born.
\v 2 He said:
\q1
\v 3 May the day I~was~born~perish,
\q and the night that~said,
\q “A boy is~conceived.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:3 \ft \+xt Jb 5:7; Pr 23:25; Is 7:14\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 If only that day had~turned to~darkness!
\q May God above not~care about~it,
\q or light shine on~it.
\q1
\v 5 May darkness and~gloom~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:5 \ft \+xt Jb 10:21–22; 12:22; 28:3\+xt*\f* reclaim~it,
\q and a cloud settle over~it.
\q May what darkens~the~day terrify~it.
\q1
\v 6 If only darkness had~taken that~night~away!
\q May it not appear~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 3:6 \ft LXX, Syr, Tg, Vg; MT reads \fqa rejoice\f* among~the~days of~the~year
\q or be listed in~the~calendar.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 3:6 \ft Lit \fqa or enter the number of months\f*
\q1
\v 7 Yes, may that~night be~barren;
\q may no joyful shout~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:7 \ft \+xt Jb 20:5; Ps 63:5\+xt*\f* be~heard in~it.
\q1
\v 8 Let those who~curse~days
\q condemn~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:8 \ft \+xt Nm 22:11,17; Jb 5:3; Pr 11:26\+xt*\f* it,
\q those who are~ready to~rouse~Leviathan.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:8 \ft \+xt Jb 41; Ps 74:14; 104:26\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 9 May its morning stars grow~dark.
\q May it wait for~daylight but~have~none;
\q may it not see the~breaking~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 3:9 \ft Lit \fqa the eyelids\f* of~dawn.
\q1
\v 10 For that night did~not~shut
\q the doors of~my~mother’s~womb,
\q and hide sorrow from~my~eyes.
\b
\q1
\v 11 Why was I not~stillborn;
\q why didn’t I die as~I~came from~the~womb?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:10–11 \ft \+xt Jb 1:21; 10:17–18; Jr 20:17–18\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 12 Why did the knees receive~me,
\q and why were there breasts for~me to~nurse?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:12 \ft \+xt Sg 8:1; Is 66:12; Jl 2:16\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 Now I would certainly be~lying~down in~peace;
\q I would be~asleep.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:13 \ft \+xt Ps 13:3; Jr 51:39,57; Mt 8:24\+xt*\f*
\q Then I would be at~rest~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:13 \ft \+xt Jb 17:16; Dn 12:13; Rv 14:13\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 14 with the kings and~counselors~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:14 \ft \+xt Is 14:9; Jr 51:57; Ezk 32:29\+xt*\f* of~the~earth,
\q who rebuilt ruined~cities for~themselves,
\q1
\v 15 or with princes who~had~gold,
\q who filled their~houses~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:15 \ft \+xt Jb 17:13; 30:23; Ec 12:5\+xt*\f* with~silver.
\q1
\v 16 Or why was I not~hidden like~a~miscarried~child,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:16 \ft \+xt Nm 12:12; Ps 58:8; Ec 6:3\+xt*\f*
\q like infants who~never see~daylight?
\q1
\v 17 There the wicked~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:17 \ft \+xt Jb 9:22; 11:20; 18:5\+xt*\f* cease to~make~trouble,
\q and there the~weary find~rest.
\q1
\v 18 The captives are~completely at~rest;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:18 \ft \+xt Pr 1:33; Jr 30:10; 46:27\+xt*\f*
\q they do not hear a~taskmaster’s voice.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:18 \ft \+xt Ex 3:7; 5:10,13–14; Jb 39:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 19 Both small and great~are~there,
\q and the slave is set~free from~his~master.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:19 \ft \+xt Jb 9:22; Ec 9:2–3; Is 14:9–10\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 20 Why is light given to~one~burdened with~grief,
\q and life to those whose~existence is~bitter,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:20 \ft \+xt Jb 23:2; Ps 71:20; Lm 1:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 21 who wait for~death,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:21 \ft \+xt 1Kg 19:4; Jb 7:15; Jnh 4:3\+xt*\f* but~it~does~not~come,
\q and search for it more~than for~hidden~treasure,
\q1
\v 22 who are filled with~much~joy
\q and are glad when~they~reach the~grave?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:22 \ft \+xt Jb 5:26; 10:19; 17:1\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 23 Why is life given to~a~man whose~path is~hidden,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:23 \ft \+xt Jb 19:8; Lm 3:9; Hs 2:6\+xt*\f*
\q whom God has~hedged~in?
\q1
\v 24 I sigh when food~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:24 \ft \+xt Jb 6:7; 33:20; Ps 102:4\+xt*\f* is~put before~me,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 3:24 \ft Or \fqa My sighing serves as my food\f*
\q and my groans pour~out like~water.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:24 \ft \+xt Ps 6:6; 22:1,14; 32:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 25 For the thing I~feared has~overtaken~me,
\q and what I dreaded has~happened to~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:25 \ft \+xt Jb 9:28; 13:11; 30:15\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 26 I cannot relax or~be~calm;
\q I have no rest,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 3:26 \ft \+xt Jb 30:17; Pr 25:2; Ec 2:23\+xt*\f* for~turmoil~has~come.
\c 4
\ms First Series of Speeches
\s1 Eliphaz Speaks
\m
\v 1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
\q1
\v 2 Should anyone try~to~speak with~you
\q when you are~exhausted?
\q Yet who can keep from~speaking?
\q1
\v 3 Indeed, you have instructed~many
\q and have strengthened~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:3 \ft \+xt Jb 26:2; Is 35:3; Heb 12:12\+xt*\f* weak~hands.
\q1
\v 4 Your words have~steadied the~one who~was~stumbling
\q and braced the~knees that~were~buckling.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:4 \ft \+xt Dt 3:28; Jb 16:15; Is 41:10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 5 But now that this has~happened to~you,
\q you have become~exhausted.
\q It strikes~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:5 \ft \+xt Jb 5:19; 6:7; 19:21\+xt*\f* you, and~you are~dismayed.
\q1
\v 6 Isn’t your piety your~confidence,
\q and the integrity of~your~life~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:6 \ft Lit \fqa ways\f* your~hope?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:6 \ft \+xt Jb 11:18; Ps 119:116; Jr 17:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 7 Consider: Who~has~perished when~he was~innocent?
\q Where have the honest~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:7 \ft Or \fqa the upright\ft , or \fqa those with integrity\f* been~destroyed?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:7 \ft \+xt Jb 8:20; Ps 37:25; Pr 12:21\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 In my experience, those~who~plow~injustice
\q and those who~sow~trouble~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:8 \ft \+xt Jb 5:7; 15:35; Is 59:4\+xt*\f* reap the~same.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:8 \ft \+xt Ps 7:15; Pr 22:8; Hs 8:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 9 They perish at~a~single~blast~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:9 \ft \+xt 2Sm 22:26; Jb 37:10; Is 30:33\+xt*\f* from~God
\q and come to~an~end by~the~breath of~his~nostrils.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:9 \ft \+xt Ex 15:8–10; Ps 18:15; 2Th 2:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 10 The lion may roar and the~fierce lion~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:10 \ft \+xt Ps 10:9; 17:12; 22:13,21\+xt*\f*~growl,
\q but the teeth of~young~lions are~broken.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:10 \ft \+xt Jb 29:17; Ps 3:7; 58:6\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 11 The strong lion dies if~it~catches no~prey,
\q and the cubs of~the~lioness are~scattered.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:11 \ft \+xt Ps 59:11; Pr 20:8,20; Is 33:3\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 12 A word was brought to~me in~secret;
\q my ears caught a~whisper of~it.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:12 \ft \+xt Jb 13:1; 33:16; 36:10,15\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 Among unsettling thoughts from~visions in~the~night,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:13 \ft \+xt Jb 7:14; 20:8; 33:15\+xt*\f*
\q when deep sleep~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:13 \ft \+xt Gn 2:21; 15:12; Jb 33:15\+xt*\f* comes over~men,
\q1
\v 14 fear and trembling came over~me~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:14 \ft \+xt Jb 21:6; Ps 55:5; 119:120\+xt*\f*
\q and made all my~bones~shake.
\q1
\v 15 I felt a draft~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:15 \ft Or \fqa a spirit\f* on my face,
\q and the hair on my body stood up.
\q1
\v 16 A figure stood~there,
\q but I could not~recognize its~appearance;
\q a form loomed before~my~eyes.
\q I heard a whispering voice:
\q1
\v 17 “Can a mortal be~righteous before~God?
\q Can a man be more~pure than~his~Maker?~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:17 \ft \+xt Jb 15:14; 25:4; Pr 20:9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 18 If God puts no~trust in~his~servants
\q and he charges his~angels with~foolishness,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 4:18 \ft Or \fqa error\ft ; Hb obscure\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:18 \ft \+xt Jb 15:15; 21:22; 25:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 19 how much more those~who~dwell in~clay~houses,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:19 \ft \+xt Jb 10:9; 33:6; Is 64:8\+xt*\f*
\q whose foundation is in~the~dust,
\q who are crushed like~a~moth!
\q1
\v 20 They are smashed to~pieces from~dawn to~dusk;
\q they perish forever while~no~one~notices.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:20 \ft \+xt Jb 14:2; 20:7; Ps 90:5–6\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 21 Are their tent cords not pulled~up?
\q They die without wisdom.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 4:21 \ft \+xt Jb 36:12; Pr 5:23; 10:21\+xt*\f*
\b
\c 5
\q1
\v 1 Call out! Will~anyone answer~you?
\q Which of the holy ones~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:1 \ft \+xt Jb 15:15; Ps 89:5–7; Dn 4:17\+xt*\f* will~you turn~to?
\q1
\v 2 For anger kills a~fool,
\q and jealousy slays the~gullible.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:2 \ft \+xt Pr 12:16; 14:18; 19:19\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 3 I have seen a~fool taking~root,
\q but I immediately pronounced a~curse on~his~home.
\q1
\v 4 His children are far from~safety.
\q They are crushed at~the~city~gate,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:4 \ft \+xt Jb 31:21; Pr 22:22; Is 29:21\+xt*\f*
\q with no one to~rescue~them.
\q1
\v 5 The hungry consume his~harvest,
\q even taking it out~of~the~thorns.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 5:5 \ft Hb obscure\f*
\q The thirsty~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 5:5 \ft Aq, Sym, Syr, Vg; MT reads \fqa snares\f* pant for~his~children’s~wealth.
\q1
\v 6 For distress does~not~grow out~of~the~soil,
\q and trouble does~not~sprout from~the~ground.
\q1
\v 7 But humans are~born for~trouble~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:7 \ft \+xt Jb 4:8; 15:35; Is 59:4\+xt*\f*
\q as surely as~sparks fly~upward.
\b
\q1
\v 8 However, if I were you, I~would~appeal to~God
\q and would present my~case to~him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:8 \ft \+xt Jb 13:18; 23:4; Lm 3:59\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 9 He does great~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:9 \ft \+xt Jb 9:10; 37:5; Ps 71:19\+xt*\f* and~unsearchable~things,
\q wonders without~number.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:9 \ft \+xt Jb 42:5; Ps 40:5; 72:18\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 10 He gives rain to~the~earth
\q and sends water to~the~fields.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:10 \ft \+xt Jb 36:27–28; 38:26–28; Jr 14:22\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 11 He sets the~lowly on~high,
\q and mourners are~lifted to~safety.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:11 \ft \+xt 1Sm 2:7; Ps 113:6–7; Mt 5:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 12 He frustrates the~schemes of~the~crafty
\q so that they~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 5:12 \ft Lit \fqa their hands\f*~achieve no~success.
\q1
\v 13 He traps the~wise in~their~craftiness
\q so that the~plans of~the~deceptive
\q are quickly brought to~an~end.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:13 \ft \+xt Ps 9:15–16; Is 29:14; 1Co 3:19\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 14 They encounter darkness by~day,
\q and they grope at~noon
\q as if it were night.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:14 \ft \+xt Dt 28:29; Jb 12:25; Is 59:10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 15 He saves the~needy from~their~sharp~words~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 5:15 \ft Lit \fqa from the sword of their mouth\ft ; Ps 55:21; 59:7\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:15 \ft \+xt Ps 55:21; 59:7\+xt*\f*
\q and from the~clutches of~the~powerful.
\q1
\v 16 So the poor have~hope,
\q and injustice shuts its~mouth.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:16 \ft \+xt Ps 63:11; 107:42; Rm 3:19\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 17 See how happy is the~person~whom God~corrects;
\q so do not reject the~discipline of~the~Almighty.
\q1
\v 18 For he wounds but~he also bandages;
\q he strikes, but~his~hands also~heal.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:18 \ft \+xt Dt 32:39; 1Sm 2:6; Hs 6:1\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 19 He will~rescue you from~six~calamities;
\q no harm will~touch you in~seven.
\q1
\v 20 In famine he~will~redeem you from~death,
\q and in battle, from~the~power of~the~sword.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:20 \ft \+xt Ps 33:19; 37:19; 144:10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 21 You will be safe from~slander~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 5:21 \ft Lit \fqa be hidden from the whip of the tongue\f*
\q and not fear destruction when~it~comes.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:21 \ft \+xt Ps 27:5; 31:20; 91:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 22 You will laugh at~destruction and~hunger
\q and not fear the~land’s wild creatures.
\q1
\v 23 For you will have a~covenant with~the~stones of~the~field,
\q and the wild animals will~be at~peace with~you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:23 \ft \+xt Ps 91:12; Ezk 34:25; Hs 2:18\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 24 You will know that~your~tent is~secure,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:24 \ft \+xt Jb 8:6; 12:6; 21:9\+xt*\f*
\q and nothing will~be~missing when~you~inspect your~home.
\q1
\v 25 You will also~know that~your~offspring will~be~many
\q and your~descendants like~the~grass of~the~earth.
\q1
\v 26 You will approach the~grave~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:26 \ft \+xt Jb 3:22; 10:19; 17:1\+xt*\f* in~full~vigor,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 5:26 \ft \+xt Gn 15:15; 25:8; Jb 21:23\+xt*\f*
\q as a stack of~sheaves is~gathered in~its~season.
\b
\q1
\v 27 We have investigated~this, and~it~is~true!
\q Hear it and~understand it for~yourself.
\c 6
\s1 Job’s Reply to Eliphaz
\m
\v 1 Then Job answered:
\q1
\v 2 If only my grief could~be~weighed
\q and my devastation~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:2 \ft \+xt Jb 30:13; Ps 57:1; Pr 19:13\+xt*\f* placed with~it on~the~scales.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:2 \ft \+xt Jb 31:6; Dn 5:27; Mc 6:11\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 3 For then it would outweigh the~sand of~the~seas!
\q That is why my~words are~rash.
\q1
\v 4 Surely the arrows of~the~Almighty have~pierced~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:4 \ft Lit \fqa Almighty are in\f*~me;
\q my spirit drinks their~poison.
\q God’s terrors are~arrayed against~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:4 \ft \+xt Jb 30:15; Ps 38:2; 88:16\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 5 Does a wild donkey bray over~fresh~grass
\q or an ox low over~its~fodder?
\q1
\v 6 Is bland food eaten without~salt?
\q Is there flavor in~an~egg~white?~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:6 \ft Hb obscure\f*
\q1
\v 7 I refuse to~touch~them;
\q they are like contaminated~food.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:7 \ft \+xt Jb 3:24; 33:20; Ps 107:18\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 8 If only my~request would~be~granted
\q and God would~provide what I~hope~for:
\q1
\v 9 that he would decide to~crush~me,
\q to unleash his power and~cut~me~off!
\q1
\v 10 It would still bring~me comfort,
\q and I would leap for~joy in~unrelenting~pain
\q that I have not denied~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:10 \ft Lit \fqa hidden\f* the~words of~the~Holy~One.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:10 \ft \+xt Jb 22:22; 23:12; Ps 119:102\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 11 What strength do~I~have, that~I~should continue to~hope?
\q What is my future, that~I~should be~patient?
\q1
\v 12 Is my strength that~of~stone,
\q or my flesh made~of~bronze?
\q1
\v 13 Since I cannot help~myself,
\q the hope for success has~been~banished from~me.
\b
\q1
\v 14 A despairing man should~receive loyalty from~his~friends,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:14 \ft Lit \fqa To the despairing his friend loyalty\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:14 \ft \+xt Jb 19:21; Ps 38:11; Pr 17:17\+xt*\f*
\q even if he abandons the~fear of~the~Almighty.
\q1
\v 15 My brothers are as~treacherous as~a~wadi,
\q as seasonal streams that~overflow
\q1
\v 16 and become~darkened~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 6:16 \ft Or \fqa turbid\f* because~of~ice,
\q and the snow melts into~them.
\q1
\v 17 The wadis evaporate in~warm~weather;
\q they disappear from~their~channels in~hot~weather.
\q1
\v 18 Caravans turn~away from~their~routes,
\q go up into~the~desert, and~perish.
\q1
\v 19 The caravans of~Tema look for~these~streams.
\q The traveling merchants of~Sheba hope for~them.
\q1
\v 20 They are ashamed because they had~been~confident of~finding~water.
\q When they arrive there, they~are~disappointed.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:20 \ft \+xt Jr 14:3; Jl 1:11; Am 4:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 21 So this is what you have now~become to~me.~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 6:21 \ft Alt Hb tradition reads \fqa So you have now become nothing\f*
\q When you see something dreadful, you~are~afraid.
\q1
\v 22 Have I ever said, “Give~me~something”
\q or “Pay a bribe for~me from~your~wealth”
\q1
\v 23 or “Deliver~me from~the~enemy’s~hand”
\q or “Redeem me from~the~hand of~the~ruthless”?
\b
\q1
\v 24 Teach me, and~I will~be~silent.
\q Help me understand what~I~did~wrong.
\q1
\v 25 How painful honest~words can~be!
\q But what does your~rebuke prove?
\q1
\v 26 Do you think that you can~disprove my~words
\q or that a despairing man’s~words are mere~wind?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:26 \ft \+xt Jb 8:2; 15:2; 16:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 27 No doubt you would cast~lots for~a~fatherless~child
\q and negotiate a~price to~sell your~friend.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:27 \ft \+xt Jl 3:3; Nah 3:10; 2Pt 2:3\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 28 But now, please~look at~me;
\q I will not lie to~your~face.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:28 \ft \+xt Jb 24:25; 27:4; 34:6\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 29 Reconsider; don’t~be~unjust.
\q Reconsider; my~righteousness~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:29 \ft \+xt Jb 2:3\+xt*\f* is~still the~issue.
\q1
\v 30 Is there injustice on~my~tongue
\q or can my palate not~taste~disaster?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 6:30 \ft \+xt Jb 12:11; 27:4\+xt*\f*
\b
\c 7
\q1
\v 1 Isn’t each person consigned to~forced~labor~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:1 \ft \+xt Jb 14:14; Is 40:2\+xt*\f* on~earth?
\q Are not his days like~those of~a~hired~worker?
\q1
\v 2 Like a slave he~longs for~shade;
\q like a hired worker he~waits for~his~pay.
\q1
\v 3 So I have been made to~inherit months of~futility,
\q and troubled nights have~been~assigned to~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:3 \ft \+xt Jb 30:17; Ps 6:6; 42:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 When I lie down I~think,
\q “When will I get up?~”
\q But the evening drags on~endlessly,
\q and I toss and~turn until~dawn.
\q1
\v 5 My flesh is~clothed with~maggots and~encrusted with~dirt.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:5 \ft Or \fqa and dirty scabs\f*
\q My skin forms~scabs~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:5 \ft Lit \fqa skin hardens\f* and~then~oozes.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:5 \ft \+xt Dt 28:35; Ps 38:5; Is 1:6\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 6 My days pass more~swiftly than~a~weaver’s~shuttle;
\q they come to~an~end without~hope.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:6 \ft \+xt Jb 14:19; 17:15; 19:10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 7 Remember that my~life is but~a~breath.
\q My eye will never~again see anything~good.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:7 \ft \+xt Jb 9:25; Ps 78:39; Jms 4:14\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 The eye of anyone who looks on~me
\q will no longer see me.
\q Your eyes will look for~me, but~I will~be~gone.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:8 \ft \+xt Jb 7:21; 20:9; Ps 37:36\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 9 As a cloud fades~away and~vanishes,
\q so the one who~goes~down to~Sheol~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:9 \ft \+xt Jb 11:8; 14:13; 17:13,16\+xt*\f* will~never rise~again.
\q1
\v 10 He will never return to~his~house;
\q his hometown will no~longer remember~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:10 \ft Lit \fqa know\f*~him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:10 \ft \+xt Jb 8:18; 20:9; Ps 103:16\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 11 Therefore I will~not restrain my~mouth.
\q I will speak in~the~anguish of~my~spirit;
\q I will complain in~the~bitterness of~my~soul.
\q1
\v 12 Am I the~sea~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:12 \ft Or \fqa the sea god\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:12 \ft \+xt Jb 26:12; Ps 74:13\+xt*\f* or~a~sea~monster,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:12 \ft \+xt Ps 148:7; Is 27:1; Ezk 32:2\+xt*\f*
\q that you keep~me under~guard?
\q1
\v 13 When I say, “My~bed will~comfort~me,
\q and my couch will~ease my~complaint,”
\q1
\v 14 then you frighten~me with~dreams,
\q and terrify~me with~visions,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:14 \ft \+xt Jb 4:13; 20:8; 33:15\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 15 so that I~prefer~strangling~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:15 \ft Or \fqa suffocation\f*~—
\q death rather than life in~this~body.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:15 \ft Lit \fqa than my bones\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:15 \ft \+xt 1Kg 19:4; Jb 3:21; Jnh 4:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 16 I give up! I~will~not live~forever.
\q Leave me alone,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:16 \ft \+xt Jb 7:19; 10:20; Ps 39:13\+xt*\f* for~my~days are a~breath.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:16 \ft Or \fqa are futile\f*
\b
\q1
\v 17 What is a mere human, that~you~think so~highly of~him
\q and pay so~much~attention to~him?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:17 \ft \+xt Ps 8:4; 144:3; Heb 2:6\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 18 You inspect him every~morning,
\q and put him to~the~test every~moment.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:18 \ft \+xt Ps 17:3; 73:14; 139:23\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 19 Will you ever look~away from~me,
\q or leave me alone long~enough to~swallow?~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 7:19 \ft Lit \fqa swallow my saliva?\f*
\q1
\v 20 If I have sinned, what~have I~done to~you,
\q Watcher of~humanity?
\q Why have you made~me your~target,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:20 \ft \+xt Jb 16:12; Lm 3:12\+xt*\f*
\q so that I have become a~burden to~you?~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 7:20 \ft Alt Hb tradition, LXX; MT, Vg read \fqa myself\f*
\q1
\v 21 Why not forgive my~sin
\q and pardon my~iniquity?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:21 \ft \+xt Jb 11:6; 13:23; 15:5\+xt*\f*
\q For soon I will lie~down in~the~grave.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:21 \ft \+xt Jb 17:16; 20:11; Is 26:19\+xt*\f*
\q You will eagerly seek me, but~I will~be~gone.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 7:21 \ft \+xt Jb 3:13; 7:8; Ps 37:36\+xt*\f*
\c 8
\s1 Bildad Speaks
\m
\v 1 Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:
\q1
\v 2 How long will you go~on~saying these~things?
\q Your words~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:2 \ft \+xt Jb 11:2; Pr 10:19; Ec 5:3\+xt*\f* are a~blast of~wind.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:2 \ft \+xt Jb 6:26; 15:2; 16:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 3 Does God pervert~justice?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:3 \ft \+xt 2Ch 19:6; Jb 34:12; Ps 9:16\+xt*\f*
\q Does the Almighty pervert what~is~right?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:3 \ft \+xt Gn 18:25; Jb 34:17; Rm 3:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 Since your children sinned against~him,
\q he gave them over to~their~rebellion.
\q1
\v 5 But if you earnestly seek~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:5 \ft \+xt Ps 63:1; 78:34; Is 26:9\+xt*\f*~God
\q and ask the~Almighty for~mercy,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:5 \ft \+xt Jb 9:15; 33:24; Ps 30:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 6 if you are pure and~upright,
\q then he will move even~now on~your~behalf
\q and restore the~home where your~righteousness dwells.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:6 \ft \+xt Jb 22:23; 42:10; Pr 3:33\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 7 Then, even if your~beginnings were~modest,
\q your final days will~be full~of~prosperity.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:7 \ft \+xt Jb 36:11; 42:10,12; Jms 5:11\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 8 For ask the previous generation,
\q and pay attention to~what their~ancestors~discovered,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:8 \ft \+xt Dt 4:32; 32:7; Jb 15:18\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 9 since we were born~only yesterday and~know nothing.
\q Our days on~earth are but~a~shadow.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:9 \ft \+xt Ps 102:11; 144:4; Ec 6:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 10 Will they not teach you and~tell~you
\q and speak from their~understanding?
\q1
\v 11 Does papyrus grow where there~is no~marsh?
\q Do reeds flourish without~water?
\q1
\v 12 While still uncut~shoots,
\q they would dry~up quicker than any~other~plant.
\q1
\v 13 Such is the~destiny~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 8:13 \ft Lit \fqa Such are the ways\f* of~all who~forget~God;
\q the hope of~the~godless~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:13 \ft \+xt Jb 13:16; 15:34; 27:8\+xt*\f* will~perish.
\q1
\v 14 His source of~confidence is~fragile;~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 8:14 \ft Or \fqa cut off\ft ; Hb obscure\f*
\q what he trusts in is a~spider’s~web.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:14–15 \ft \+xt Jb 27:18; Is 59:5; Mt 7:26–27\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 15 He leans on his web, but~it~doesn’t stand~firm.
\q He grabs it, but~it~does~not hold~up.
\q1
\v 16 He is a well-watered~plant in~the~sunshine;
\q his shoots spread~out over~his~garden.
\q1
\v 17 His roots are~intertwined around~a~pile of~rocks.
\q He looks for~a~home among~the~stones.
\q1
\v 18 If he is uprooted~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 8:18 \ft Or \fqa destroyed\f* from~his~place,
\q it will deny knowing him, saying, “I~never~saw~you.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:18 \ft \+xt Jb 7:10; 20:7; Ps 37:36\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 19 Surely this is the~joy of~his~way of~life;
\q yet others will~sprout from~the~dust.
\q1
\v 20 Look, God does not reject a~person of~integrity,
\q and he will not support~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 8:20 \ft Lit \fqa grasp the hand of\f* evildoers.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:20 \ft \+xt Gn 18:25; Jb 36:6; 2Pt 2:9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 21 He will yet fill your~mouth with~laughter
\q and your lips with~a~shout of~joy.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:21 \ft \+xt Jb 33:26; Ps 27:6; 47:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 22 Your enemies will~be~clothed with~shame;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:22 \ft \+xt Ps 35:26; 109:29; 132:18\+xt*\f*
\q the tent~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 8:22 \ft \+xt Jb 18:6,14; Ps 52:5; Pr 14:11\+xt*\f* of~the~wicked will~no~longer exist.
\c 9
\s1 Job’s Reply to Bildad
\m
\v 1 Then Job answered:
\q1
\v 2 Yes, I know what~you’ve~said is~true,
\q but how can a~person be~justified before~God?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:2 \ft \+xt Jb 25:4; Ps 143:2; Rm 3:20\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 3 If one wanted to take~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:3 \ft \+xt Jb 13:19; 33:13; 40:2\+xt*\f*~him to~court,
\q he could not answer God~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 9:3 \ft Or \fqa court, God would not answer him\f* once in~a~thousand~times.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:3 \ft \+xt Jb 9:14; 37:19; 40:2\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 God is wise~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:4 \ft \+xt Jb 11:6; 12:13; 36:5\+xt*\f* and~all-powerful.
\q Who has opposed him and~come~out~unharmed?
\q1
\v 5 He removes mountains without~their~knowledge,
\q overturning them in~his~anger.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:5 \ft \+xt Jdg 5:5; Ps 18:7; Mc 1:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 6 He shakes the~earth from~its~place
\q so that its pillars tremble.
\q1
\v 7 He commands the~sun not~to~shine
\q and seals off the~stars.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:7 \ft \+xt Is 13:10; Ezk 32:8; Jl 2:10,31\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 He alone stretches~out the~heavens~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:8 \ft \+xt Ps 104:2–3; Is 40:22; 44:24\+xt*\f*
\q and treads on~the~waves of~the~sea.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 9:8 \ft Or \fqa and walks on the back of the sea god\f*
\q1
\v 9 He makes the stars: the~Bear,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 9:9 \ft Or \fqa Aldebaran\f* Orion,
\q the Pleiades,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:9 \ft \+xt Jb 38:31–32; Is 40:26; Am 5:8\+xt*\f* and~the~constellations~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 9:9 \ft Or \fqa chambers\f* of~the~southern~sky.
\q1
\v 10 He does great and~unsearchable~things,
\q wonders without~number.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:10 \ft \+xt Jb 5:9; Ps 40:5; 72:18\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 11 If he passed by~me, I~wouldn’t~see~him;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:11 \ft \+xt Jb 23:8–9; 35:14\+xt*\f*
\q if he went by, I~wouldn’t~recognize~him.
\q1
\v 12 If he snatches something, who~can~stop~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 9:12 \ft Or \fqa dissuade\f*~him?
\q Who can ask him, “What~are you~doing?~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:12 \ft \+xt Jb 11:10; Is 45:9; Rm 9:20\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 God does not hold~back his~anger;
\q Rahab’s~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:13 \ft \+xt Jb 26:12; Ps 89:10; Is 51:9\+xt*\f* assistants cringe in~fear beneath~him!
\b
\q1
\v 14 How then can~I answer~him
\q or choose my arguments against~him?
\q1
\v 15 Even if I were in~the~right, I~could~not~answer.
\q I could only beg my~Judge for~mercy.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:15 \ft \+xt Jb 8:5; 10:15\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 16 If I summoned him and~he~answered~me,
\q I do not believe he~would pay~attention~to what~I~said.
\q1
\v 17 He batters me with~a~whirlwind~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:17 \ft \+xt Jb 30:22; Ps 83:15; Jnh 1:4\+xt*\f*
\q and multiplies my~wounds without~cause.
\q1
\v 18 He doesn’t let~me catch my~breath
\q but fills me with~bitter~experiences.
\q1
\v 19 If it is a matter of~strength, look, he~is the~powerful~one!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:19 \ft \+xt Jb 9:4; Is 28:2; 40:26\+xt*\f*
\q If it is a matter of~justice, who~can summon~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:19 \ft \+xt Jr 49:19; 50:44\+xt*\f*~him?~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 9:19 \ft LXX; MT reads \fqa me\f*
\q1
\v 20 Even if I were in~the~right, my~own~mouth would condemn~me;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:20 \ft \+xt Jb 9:28; 40:8; Is 50:9\+xt*\f*
\q if I were blameless, my~mouth would declare~me~guilty.
\b
\q1
\v 21 Though I am blameless,
\q I no longer care about~myself;
\q I renounce my~life.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:21 \ft \+xt Jb 7:16; 10:1\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 22 It is all the same. Therefore I~say,
\q “He destroys both the~blameless and~the~wicked.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:22 \ft \+xt Jb 3:19; Ec 9:2–3; Is 14:3–11\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 23 When catastrophe~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 9:23 \ft Or \fqa whip\ft ; Hb obscure\f* brings sudden~death,
\q he mocks the~despair of~the~innocent.
\q1
\v 24 The earth~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 9:24 \ft Or \fqa land\f* is handed~over to~the~wicked;
\q he blindfolds~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 9:24 \ft Lit \fqa covers the faces of\f* its~judges.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:24 \ft \+xt Jb 12:6,17; Is 29:14; 44:25\+xt*\f*
\q If it isn’t he, then who~is~it?
\b
\q1
\v 25 My days fly~by faster than~a~runner;~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 9:25 \ft = a royal messenger\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:25 \ft \+xt 2Sm 18:19–33; 1Kg 1:5; Est 3:13,15\+xt*\f*
\q they flee without~seeing any~good.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:25 \ft \+xt Jb 7:7; Ps 78:39; Jms 4:14\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 26 They sweep by like~boats made of~papyrus,
\q like an eagle swooping~down on~its~prey.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:26 \ft \+xt Jb 39:29; Is 18:2; Hab 1:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 27 If I said, “I~will~forget my~complaint,
\q change my~expression, and~smile,”
\q1
\v 28 I would still live in~terror of~all my~pains.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:28 \ft \+xt Jb 3:25; 13:11; 31:23\+xt*\f*
\q I know you will~not acquit~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:28 \ft \+xt Jb 10:14; Jl 3:21; Nah 1:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 29 Since I will be found~guilty,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:29 \ft \+xt Jb 9:20; 40:8; Is 50:9\+xt*\f*
\q why should I~struggle in~vain?
\q1
\v 30 If I wash myself with~snow,
\q and cleanse my~hands with~lye,
\q1
\v 31 then you dip me in~a~pit of~mud,
\q and my own clothes despise~me!
\b
\q1
\v 32 For he is not a~man like~me, that~I~can answer~him,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:32 \ft \+xt Jb 41:13; Ps 143:2; Ec 6:10\+xt*\f*
\q that we can take each~other to~court.
\q1
\v 33 There is no~mediator~between~us,
\q to lay his hand on both of~us.
\q1
\v 34 Let him take his rod away from~me
\q so his terror will no~longer frighten~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 9:34 \ft \+xt Jb 6:4; 13:21; Ps 39:10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 35 Then I would speak and~not fear~him.
\q But that is not the~case; I~am on~my~own.
\b
\c 10
\q1
\v 1 I am disgusted with~my~life.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:1 \ft \+xt Jb 7:16; 9:21; Ps 95:10; 119:158; 139:21; Ezk 6:9; 20:43; 36:31\+xt*\f*
\q I will give vent to my~complaint
\q and speak in~the~bitterness of~my~soul.
\q1
\v 2 I will say to~God,
\q “Do not declare me~guilty!
\q Let me know why you~prosecute~me.
\q1
\v 3 Is it good for~you to~oppress,
\q to reject the~work of~your~hands,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:3 \ft \+xt Ps 128:2\+xt*\f*
\q and favor~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 10:3 \ft Lit \fqa shine on\f* the~plans of~the~wicked?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:3 \ft \+xt Ps 1:1; Jb 21:16; 22:18\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 Do you have eyes of~flesh,
\q or do you see as~a~human~sees?
\q1
\v 5 Are your days like~those of~a~human,
\q or your years like~those of~a~man,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:5 \ft \+xt Jb 36:26; Ps 90:4; 2Pt 3:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 6 that you look~for my~iniquity~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:6 \ft \+xt Jb 13:23,26; 14:17; 22:5\+xt*\f*
\q and search~for my~sin,
\q1
\v 7 even though you~know that I~am~not~wicked
\q and that there is no~one who~can~rescue from~your~power?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:7 \ft \+xt Dt 32:39; Is 43:13\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 8 “Your hands shaped~me and~formed~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:8 \ft \+xt Gn 2:7,8,19; Ps 34:15; 94:9; Is 29:16; 43:1,7,21; 44:2,21,24; 45:9,11; 49:5; 64:8; Jr 1:5; 18:6; Zch 12:1\+xt*\f*
\q Will you now turn~and~destroy~me?
\q1
\v 9 Please remember that you formed~me like~clay.
\q Will you now return~me to~dust?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:9 \ft \+xt Gn 2:7; Jb 4:19; 34:15\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 10 Did you not pour~me~out like~milk
\q and curdle me like~cheese?
\q1
\v 11 You clothed me with~skin and~flesh,
\q and wove me together with~bones and~tendons.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:11 \ft \+xt Ps 139:13\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 12 You gave me life and~faithful~love,
\q and your care has~guarded my~life.
\b
\q1
\v 13 “Yet you concealed these~thoughts in~your~heart;
\q I know that this~was your~hidden~plan:~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 10:13 \ft Lit \fqa was with you\f*
\q1
\v 14 if I sin, you~would~notice,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 10:14 \ft Lit \fqa notice me\f*
\q and would not acquit~me of~my~iniquity.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:14 \ft \+xt Ex 34:7; Jb 7:21; Am 3:2\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 15 If I am wicked, woe~to~me!
\q And even if I am righteous, I~cannot lift~up my~head.
\q I am filled with~shame~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:15 \ft \+xt Hab 2:16\+xt*\f*
\q and have drunk deeply of~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 10:15 \ft Or \fqa and look at\f* my~affliction.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:15 \ft \+xt Jb 9:15; Ps 25:18; Is 3:11\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 16 If I am proud,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 10:16 \ft Lit \fqa If he lifts up\f* you~hunt~me like~a~lion
\q and again display your~miraculous~power against~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:16 \ft \+xt Jb 5:9; Is 38:13; Lm 3:10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 17 You produce new~witnesses~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 10:17 \ft Or \fqa You bring fresh troops\f* against~me
\q and multiply your~anger toward~me.
\q Hardships assault me, wave~after~wave.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 10:17 \ft Lit \fqa Changes and a host are with me\f*
\b
\q1
\v 18 “Why did you bring me out~of the~womb?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:18 \ft \+xt Jb 1:21; 10:18–19; Jr 20:17–18\+xt*\f*
\q I should have died and~never been~seen.
\q1
\v 19 I wish~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 10:19 \ft Lit \fqa As if\f* I had never~existed
\q but had been carried from~the~womb to~the~grave.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:19 \ft \+xt Jb 3:22; 5:26; 17:1\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 20 Are my days not~few? Stop~it!~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 10:20 \ft Alt Hb tradition reads \fqa Will he not leave my few days alone?\f*
\q Leave me alone, so~that I~can~smile a~little
\q1
\v 21 before I go to~a~land of~darkness and~gloom,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 10:21 \ft \+xt Jb 3:5; 12:22; 28:3\+xt*\f*
\q never to~return.
\q1
\v 22 It is a land of~blackness like~the~deepest~darkness,
\q gloomy and~chaotic,
\q where even the~light is like~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 10:22 \ft Lit \fqa chaotic, and shines as\f*~the~darkness.”
\c 11
\s1 Zophar Speaks
\m
\v 1 Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:
\q1
\v 2 Should this~abundance of~words~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:2 \ft \+xt Jb 8:2; Pr 10:19; Ec 5:3\+xt*\f* go~unanswered
\q and such a~talker~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 11:2 \ft Lit \fqa a man of lips\f* be~acquitted?
\q1
\v 3 Should your babbling put~others to~silence,
\q so that you can keep~on ridiculing
\q with no one to~humiliate~you?
\q1
\v 4 You have said, “My~teaching~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:4 \ft \+xt Dt 32:2; Pr 4:2; Is 29:24\+xt*\f* is~sound,
\q and I am pure in~your~sight.”
\q1
\v 5 But if only God would~speak
\q and open his~lips against~you!
\q1
\v 6 He would show~you the~secrets of~wisdom,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:6 \ft \+xt Jb 28:12; 38:36; Ec 7:23,25\+xt*\f*
\q for true wisdom~has two~sides.
\q Know then that God has~chosen to~overlook some~of~your~iniquity.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:6 \ft \+xt Ezr 9:13; Ps 103:10\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 7 Can you fathom the~depths of~God
\q or discover the~limits of~the~Almighty?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:7 \ft \+xt Ec 3:11; 8:17; Rm 11:33\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 They are higher than~the~heavens~#—~#what~can you~do?
\q They are deeper than~Sheol~#—~#what~can you~know?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:8 \ft \+xt Dt 30:12–13; Ps 139:8–9; Am 9:2–3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 9 Their measure is~longer than~the~earth
\q and wider than~the~sea.
\b
\q1
\v 10 If he passes by and~throws someone~in~prison
\q or convenes a~court, who~can stop~him?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:10 \ft \+xt Jb 9:12; 23:13; Rv 3:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 11 Surely he knows which~people are~worthless.
\q If he sees iniquity, will~he~not take~note of~it?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:11 \ft \+xt Jb 34:25; Ps 10:14\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 12 But a stupid person will~gain~understanding
\q as soon as a~wild~donkey is~born a~human!
\b
\q1
\v 13 As for you, if~you~redirect your~heart
\q and spread out your~hands to~him in~prayer~—
\q1
\v 14 if there is iniquity in~your~hand, remove~it,
\q and don’t allow injustice to~dwell in~your~tents~—
\q1
\v 15 then you will hold your~head~high, free~from~fault.
\q You will be firmly established and~unafraid.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:15 \ft \+xt Jb 22:26; Ps 119:6; 1Jn 3:21\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 16 For you will forget your~suffering,
\q recalling it only as~water that~has~flowed~by.
\q1
\v 17 Your life will be brighter than~noonday;
\q its darkness~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 11:17 \ft Text emended; MT reads \fqa noonday; you are dark, you\f* will~be like~the~morning.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:17 \ft \+xt Jb 17:12; Ps 37:6; Is 58:8,10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 18 You will be confident, because there~is~hope.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:18 \ft \+xt Jb 4:6; Ps 119:116; Jr 17:7\+xt*\f*
\q You will look carefully about and~lie~down in~safety.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:18 \ft \+xt Jb 24:23; Ps 4:8; Pr 3:24\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 19 You will lie down with~no one to frighten you,
\q and many will~seek your~favor.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:19 \ft \+xt Ps 45:12; Pr 19:6; 29:26\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 20 But the sight of~the~wicked~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:20 \ft \+xt Jb 3:17; 9:22; 18:5\+xt*\f* will~fail.
\q Their way of~escape will~be cut~off,
\q and their only hope is~their~last~breath.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 11:20 \ft \+xt Jb 8:13; Pr 10:28; 11:7\+xt*\f*
\c 12
\s1 Job’s Reply to Zophar
\m
\v 1 Then Job answered:
\q1
\v 2 No doubt you are the~people,
\q and wisdom will~die with~you!
\q1
\v 3 But I also have~a~mind like you;
\q I am not inferior to~you.
\q Who doesn’t know the~things you~are talking~about?~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 12:3 \ft Lit \fqa With whom are not such things as these?\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:3 \ft \+xt Jb 13:2; 15:9; 16:2\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 4 I am a laughingstock to~my~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 12:4 \ft Lit \fqa his\f*~friends,
\q by calling on~God, who~answers~me.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 12:4 \ft Lit \fqa him\f*
\q The righteous and~blameless~man is a~laughingstock.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:4 \ft \+xt Jb 30:1,9; Jr 20:7; Lm 3:14\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 5 The one who is at~ease~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:5 \ft \+xt Ps 123:4; Am 6:1\+xt*\f* holds~calamity in~contempt
\q and thinks it is prepared for~those whose~feet are~slipping.
\q1
\v 6 The tents of~robbers are~safe,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:6 \ft \+xt Jb 5:24; 8:6; 21:9\+xt*\f*
\q and those who~trouble~God are~secure;
\q God holds them in his hands.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 12:6 \ft Or \fqa secure; to those who bring their god in their hands\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:6 \ft \+xt Ps 73:11; Jr 12:1; Mt 5:45\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 7 But ask the~animals, and~they~will instruct~you;
\q ask the birds of~the~sky, and~they~will tell~you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:7 \ft \+xt Jb 35:11; Mt 6:26\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 Or speak to~the~earth, and~it~will instruct~you;
\q let the fish of~the~sea inform~you.
\q1
\v 9 Which of all~these does~not~know
\q that the hand of~the~\nd Lord\nd* has~done~this?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:9 \ft \+xt Ru 1:13; Jb 19:21; Is 41:20\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 10 The life of every~living~thing is in~his~hand,
\q as well as the~breath of~all~humanity.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:10 \ft \+xt Gn 2:7; Jb 27:3; 33:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 11 Doesn’t the ear test~words
\q as the palate tastes~food?
\q1
\v 12 Wisdom is found with~the~elderly,
\q and understanding comes with~long~life.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:12 \ft \+xt Jb 12:20; 32:7,9; Ps 119:100\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 13 Wisdom and~strength belong to~God;
\q counsel and~understanding are~his.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:13 \ft \+xt Jb 9:4; 36:5; 38:36\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 14 Whatever he~tears~down cannot be~rebuilt;
\q whoever he~imprisons cannot be~released.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:14 \ft \+xt Jb 11:10; Is 22:22; Rv 3:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 15 When he withholds water, everything dries~up,
\q and when he releases it, it~destroys the~land.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:15 \ft \+xt Is 41:18; 42:15; 44:3,27\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 16 True wisdom and~power belong to~him.
\q The deceived and~the~deceiver are~his.
\q1
\v 17 He leads counselors away barefoot
\q and makes judges go~mad.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:17 \ft \+xt Jb 9:24; Is 29:14; 44:25\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 18 He releases the~bonds~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 12:18 \ft Text emended; MT reads \fqa discipline\f* put~on by~kings~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:18 \ft \+xt Jb 12:21; Is 45:1\+xt*\f*
\q and fastens a~belt around~their~waists.
\q1
\v 19 He leads priests away barefoot
\q and overthrows established~leaders.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:19 \ft \+xt Is 40:23; Lk 1:52\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 20 He deprives trusted~advisers of~speech
\q and takes away the~elders’ good~judgment.
\q1
\v 21 He pours out contempt on~nobles
\q and disarms~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 12:21 \ft Lit \fqa and loosens the belt of\f* the~strong.
\q1
\v 22 He reveals mysteries from~the~darkness
\q and brings the~deepest~darkness into~the~light.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:22 \ft \+xt Ps 90:8; Dn 2:22; 1Co 4:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 23 He makes nations great, then~destroys~them;
\q he enlarges nations,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:23 \ft \+xt Ex 34:24; Is 9:3; 26:15\+xt*\f* then~leads~them~away.
\q1
\v 24 He deprives the~world’s~leaders of~reason,
\q and makes them wander in~a~trackless~wasteland.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:24 \ft \+xt Ps 107:40; Dn 4:33\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 25 They grope around in~darkness without~light;
\q he makes them stagger like~a drunkard.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 12:25 \ft \+xt Dt 28:29; Jb 5:14; Is 59:10\+xt*\f*
\b
\c 13
\q1
\v 1 Look, my eyes have~seen all~this;
\q my ears~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:1 \ft \+xt Jb 4:12; 33:16; 36:10,15\+xt*\f* have heard and~understood~it.
\q1
\v 2 Everything you~know, I~also~know;
\q I am not inferior to~you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:2 \ft \+xt Jb 12:3; 15:9; 16:2\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 3 Yet I prefer to~speak to~the~Almighty
\q and argue my~case before~God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:3 \ft \+xt Jb 5:8; 23:4; 40:2\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 You use lies like~plaster;
\q you are all worthless~healers.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:4 \ft \+xt Jb 16:2; Ps 69:20; Ec 4:1\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 5 If only you~would shut~up
\q and let that be your~wisdom!
\b
\q1
\v 6 Hear now my~argument,
\q and listen to my~defense.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 13:6 \ft Lit \fqa to the claims of my lips\f*
\q1
\v 7 Would you testify~unjustly on~God’s~behalf
\q or speak deceitfully for~him?
\q1
\v 8 Would you show~partiality~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:8 \ft \+xt Dt 10:17; Jb 32:21; 34:19\+xt*\f* to~him
\q or argue the~case in~his~defense?
\q1
\v 9 Would it go well if~he~examined~you?
\q Could you deceive him as~you~would~deceive a~man?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:9 \ft \+xt Ps 44:21; Pr 18:17; Jr 17:10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 10 Surely he would rebuke~you
\q if you secretly showed~partiality.
\q1
\v 11 Would God’s majesty not~terrify~you?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:11 \ft \+xt Ex 15:16; Jb 31:23; Is 2:10\+xt*\f*
\q Would his dread not fall on~you?
\q1
\v 12 Your memorable sayings are~proverbs of~ash;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:12 \ft \+xt 1Sm 24:13; Pr 26:7,9; Is 44:20\+xt*\f*
\q your defenses are~made of~clay.
\b
\q1
\v 13 Be quiet,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 13:13 \ft Lit \fqa quiet before me\f* and~I~will~speak.
\q Let whatever comes happen to~me.
\q1
\v 14 I will put~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 13:14 \ft LXX; MT reads \fqa Why do I put\f*~myself at~risk~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 13:14 \ft Lit \fqa I take my flesh in my teeth\f*
\q and take my~life in~my~own~hands.
\q1
\v 15 Even if he kills me, I~will~hope in~him.~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 13:15 \ft Some Hb mss read \fqa I will be without hope\f*
\q I will still defend~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:15 \ft \+xt Jb 13:3; 15:3; 23:7\+xt*\f* my~ways before~him.
\q1
\v 16 Yes, this will~result in~my~deliverance,
\q for no godless person~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:16 \ft \+xt Jb 8:13; 15:34; 27:8\+xt*\f* can~appear before~him.
\q1
\v 17 Pay close attention to~my~words;
\q let my declaration ring in~your~ears.
\q1
\v 18 Now then, I~have~prepared my~case;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:18 \ft \+xt Jb 5:8; 23:4; Lm 3:59\+xt*\f*
\q I know that I~am~right.
\q1
\v 19 Can anyone indict me?
\q If so, I will be~silent and~die.
\b
\q1
\v 20 Only grant these~two~things to~me,~God,
\q so that I will not have to~hide from~your~presence:
\q1
\v 21 remove your~hand from~me,
\q and do not let your~terror frighten~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:21 \ft \+xt Jb 6:4; 9:34; Ps 39:10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 22 Then call, and~I~will~answer,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:22 \ft \+xt Jb 9:16; 14:15; Jr 33:3\+xt*\f*
\q or I will speak, and~you can~respond to~me.
\q1
\v 23 How many iniquities~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:23 \ft \+xt Jb 7:21; 10:6,14; Is 43:25\+xt*\f* and~sins have~I~committed?~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 13:23 \ft Lit \fqa sins are to me\f*
\q Reveal to me my~transgression and~sin.
\q1
\v 24 Why do you hide your~face
\q and consider me your~enemy?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:24 \ft \+xt Jb 19:11; 33:10; Lm 2:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 25 Will you frighten a~wind-driven~leaf?
\q Will you chase~after dry~straw?
\q1
\v 26 For you record bitter~accusations against~me
\q and make me inherit the~iniquities of~my~youth.
\q1
\v 27 You put my~feet in~the~stocks
\q and stand watch~over all my~paths,
\q setting a limit for~the~soles~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 13:27 \ft Lit \fqa paths. You mark a line around the roots\f* of~my~feet.
\b
\q1
\v 28 A person wears out like~something~rotten,
\q like a moth-eaten garment.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 13:28 \ft \+xt Ps 102:26; Is 50:9; 51:8\+xt*\f*
\b
\c 14
\q1
\v 1 Anyone born of~woman
\q is short of~days and~full of~trouble.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:1 \ft \+xt Jb 5:7; 15:35; Is 59:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 2 He blossoms like~a~flower, then~withers;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:2 \ft \+xt Ps 103:15–16; Is 40:6–7; Jms 1:10–11\+xt*\f*
\q he flees like~a~shadow and~does~not~last.
\q1
\v 3 Do you really take~notice of~one like~this?
\q Will you bring me into~judgment against~you?~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 14:3 \ft LXX, Syr, Vg read \fqa him\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:3 \ft \+xt Jb 22:4; Ps 143:2; 144:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 Who can produce something~pure from~what is~impure?
\q No one!
\q1
\v 5 Since a person’s days are~determined
\q and the number of~his~months depends on~you,
\q and since you~have set~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 14:5 \ft Lit \fqa set his\f*~limits he~cannot~pass,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:5 \ft \+xt Jb 21:21; Ps 39:4; 90:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 6 look away from~him and~let~him~rest
\q so that he can enjoy his~day like~a~hired~worker.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:6 \ft \+xt Jb 7:16; 10:20; Ps 39:13\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 7 There is hope for~a~tree:
\q If it is cut down, it~will sprout~again,
\q and its shoots will~not~die.
\q1
\v 8 If its roots grow~old in~the~ground
\q and its stump starts to~die in~the~soil,
\q1
\v 9 the scent of~water makes~it~thrive
\q and produce twigs like~a~sapling.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:9 \ft \+xt Jb 29:19; Ps 1:3; Jr 17:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 10 But a person dies and~fades~away;
\q he breathes his~last~#—~#where~is~he?
\q1
\v 11 As water disappears from~a~lake
\q and a river becomes~parched and~dry,
\q1
\v 12 so people lie down never to~rise~again.
\q They will not~wake~up until~the~heavens are no~more;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:12 \ft \+xt Is 51:6; Rv 20:11; 21:1\+xt*\f*
\q they will not stir from~their~sleep.
\b
\q1
\v 13 If only you would hide~me in~Sheol~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:13 \ft \+xt Jb 11:8; 17:16; Am 9:2\+xt*\f*
\q and conceal me until~your~anger~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:13 \ft \+xt Jb 16:9; 19:11; Ps 30:5\+xt*\f*~passes.
\q If only you would appoint a~time for~me
\q and then remember~me.
\q1
\v 14 When a person dies, will~he come~back to~life?
\q If so, I would wait~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:14 \ft \+xt Jb 6:8; 13:13; 35:14\+xt*\f* all~the~days of~my~struggle~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:14 \ft \+xt Jb 7:1; Is 40:2\+xt*\f*
\q until my relief comes.
\q1
\v 15 You would call, and~I~would answer~you.
\q You would long for~the~work of~your~hands.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:15 \ft \+xt Jb 9:16; 10:3; 13:22\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 16 For then you~would~count my~steps~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:16 \ft \+xt Jb 10:6; 31:4; 34:21\+xt*\f*
\q but would not take~note~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:16 \ft \+xt Jb 10:14; 33:11; Ps 130:3\+xt*\f*~of my~sin.
\q1
\v 17 My rebellion would~be sealed~up in~a~bag,
\q and you would cover~over my~iniquity.
\b
\q1
\v 18 But as a mountain collapses and~crumbles
\q and a rock is~dislodged from~its~place,
\q1
\v 19 as water wears~away~stones
\q and torrents wash~away the~soil from~the~land,
\q so you destroy a~man’s~hope.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:19 \ft \+xt Jb 7:6; 17:15; 19:10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 20 You completely overpower him, and~he passes~on;
\q you change his~appearance and~send~him~away.
\q1
\v 21 If his sons receive honor, he~does~not know~it;
\q if they become insignificant, he~is~unaware of~it.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 14:21 \ft \+xt Jb 21:21; Ec 9:5; Is 63:16\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 22 He feels only the~pain of~his~own~body
\q and mourns only for~himself.
\c 15
\ms Second Series of Speeches
\s1 Eliphaz Speaks
\m
\v 1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
\q1
\v 2 Does a wise man answer with~empty~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 15:2 \ft Lit \fqa windy\ft ; Jb 16:3\f*~counsel~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:2 \ft \+xt Jb 2:10; 6:26; 27:12\+xt*\f*
\q or fill himself~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 15:2 \ft Lit \fqa his belly\f* with~the~hot~east~wind?
\q1
\v 3 Should he argue~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:3 \ft \+xt Jb 13:3,15; 23:7\+xt*\f* with~useless~talk
\q or with words that~serve no~good~purpose?
\q1
\v 4 But you even undermine the~fear of~God
\q and hinder meditation before~him.
\q1
\v 5 Your iniquity~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:5 \ft \+xt Jb 13:23,26; 14:17; 22:5\+xt*\f* teaches~you what~to~say,
\q and you choose the~language of~the~crafty.
\q1
\v 6 Your own mouth condemns~you, not~I;
\q your own lips testify against~you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:6 \ft \+xt 2Sm 1:16; Jb 9:20; Lk 19:22\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 7 Were you the~first~human ever~born,
\q or were you brought~forth before~the~hills?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:7 \ft \+xt Jb 38:21; Ps 90:2; Pr 8:25\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 Do you listen~in on~the~council of~God,
\q or have a~monopoly on~wisdom?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:8 \ft \+xt Jr 23:18; Rm 11:34; 1Co 2:11\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 9 What do you know that we~don’t?
\q What do you understand that is~not~clear to~us?
\q1
\v 10 Both the gray-haired and~the~elderly are with~us—
\q older than your~father.
\q1
\v 11 Are God’s consolations not~enough for~you,
\q even the words that~deal~gently with~you?
\q1
\v 12 Why has your~heart misled~you,
\q and why do your~eyes~flash
\q1
\v 13 as you turn your~anger~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 15:13 \ft Or \fqa spirit\f* against~God
\q and allow such~words to~leave your~mouth?
\b
\q1
\v 14 What is a mere human, that~he should~be~pure,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:14 \ft \+xt Jb 4:17; 25:4; Pr 20:9\+xt*\f*
\q or one born of~a~woman, that~he should~be~righteous?
\q1
\v 15 If God puts no~trust in~his~holy~ones~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:15 \ft \+xt Jb 5:1; Ps 89:5–7; Dn 4:17\+xt*\f*
\q and the heavens are not~pure in~his~sight,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:15 \ft \+xt Jb 4:18; 21:22; 25:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 16 how much less one who~is~revolting and~corrupt,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:16 \ft \+xt Ps 14:3; 53:3\+xt*\f*
\q who drinks injustice~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:16 \ft \+xt Jb 34:7; Ps 14:3\+xt*\f* like~water?
\b
\q1
\v 17 Listen to me and~I~will inform~you.
\q I will describe what I~have~seen,
\q1
\v 18 what the wise have~declared and not~concealed,~
\q that came from their~ancestors,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:18 \ft \+xt Dt 4:32; 32:7; Jb 8:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 19 to whom alone the land was~given
\q when no foreigner passed among~them.
\q1
\v 20 A wicked person writhes in~pain all~his~days,
\q throughout the number of years~reserved for~the~ruthless.
\q1
\v 21 Dreadful sounds fill his~ears;
\q when he is at peace, a~robber attacks~him.
\q1
\v 22 He doesn’t believe he~will~return from~darkness;
\q he is destined for~the~sword.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:22 \ft \+xt Dt 32:41–42; Jb 19:29; Is 66:16\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 23 He wanders about for~food, asking, “Where~is~it?~”
\q He knows the~day of~darkness is at~hand.
\q1
\v 24 Trouble~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:24 \ft \+xt 1Sm 22:2; Jb 36:19; Ps 107:6,13,19,28\+xt*\f* and~distress terrify~him,
\q overwhelming him like~a~king prepared for~battle.
\q1
\v 25 For he has stretched~out his~hand~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:25 \ft \+xt Is 5:25; 9:16,20; Jr 21:5\+xt*\f* against~God
\q and has arrogantly opposed the~Almighty.
\q1
\v 26 He rushes headlong at~him
\q with his thick, studded~shields.
\q1
\v 27 Though his face is~covered with~fat~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 15:27 \ft Lit \fqa with his fat\f*
\q and his waistline bulges with~it,
\q1
\v 28 he will dwell in~ruined~cities,
\q in abandoned houses destined to~become piles of~rubble.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:28 \ft \+xt Jb 3:14; Ps 109:10; Is 5:9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 29 He will no longer be rich; his~wealth will~not~endure.
\q His possessions~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 15:29 \ft Text emended; MT reads \fqa Their gain\f* will~not~increase in~the~land.
\q1
\v 30 He will not escape from~the~darkness;
\q flames will wither his~shoots,
\q and by the breath of~God’s~mouth, he~will~depart.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:30 \ft \+xt Jb 4:9; 22:20; 2Th 2:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 31 Let him not put trust in~worthless~things, being led~astray,
\q for what he gets in~exchange will~prove~worthless.
\q1
\v 32 It will be accomplished before~his~time,
\q and his branch will~not~flourish.
\q1
\v 33 He will be like~a~vine that~drops its~unripe~grapes~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:33 \ft \+xt Is 18:5; Jr 31:29–30; Ezk 18:2\+xt*\f*
\q and like an olive tree that~sheds its~blossoms.
\q1
\v 34 For the company of~the~godless~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:34 \ft \+xt Jb 8:13; 13:16; 27:8\+xt*\f* will~have no~children,
\q and fire will consume the~tents of~those who~offer~bribes.
\q1
\v 35 They conceive trouble~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:35 \ft \+xt Jb 4:8; 5:7; Is 59:4\+xt*\f* and~give~birth to~evil;
\q their womb~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:35 \ft \+xt Jb 32:19; 37:1; Pr 20:27,30\+xt*\f* prepares~deception.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 15:35 \ft \+xt Ps 7:14; Is 59:4; Hs 10:13\+xt*\f*
\c 16
\s1 Job’s Reply to Eliphaz
\m
\v 1 Then Job answered:
\q1
\v 2 I have heard many~things like~these.
\q You are all miserable~comforters.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:2 \ft \+xt Jb 13:4; Ps 69:20; Ec 4:1\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 3 Is there no end to~your~empty~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 16:3 \ft Lit \fqa windy\ft ; Jb 15:2\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:3 \ft \+xt Jb 15:2\+xt*\f*~words?
\q What provokes you that~you continue~testifying?
\q1
\v 4 If you were in~my~place I~could also~talk like~you.
\q I could string words~together against~you
\q and shake my~head at~you.
\q1
\v 5 Instead, I would encourage you with~my~mouth,
\q and the consolation from~my~lips would~bring~relief.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:5 \ft \+xt Dt 3:28; Jb 4:4; Is 41:10\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 6 If I speak, my~suffering is~not~relieved,
\q and if I hold back, does any of it leave me?
\q1
\v 7 Surely he~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 16:7 \ft Or \fqa it\f* has now exhausted~me.
\q You have devastated my~entire~family.
\q1
\v 8 You have shriveled~me~up~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 16:8 \ft Or \fqa have seized me\ft ; Hb obscure\f*~#—~#it~has~become a~witness;
\q my frailty rises up against~me and~testifies to~my~face.
\q1
\v 9 His anger tears at~me, and~he~harasses~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:9 \ft \+xt Gn 49:23; Jb 30:21; Ps 55:3\+xt*\f*~me.
\q He gnashes his~teeth at~me.
\q My enemy pierces~me with~his~eyes.
\q1
\v 10 They open their~mouths against~me
\q and strike my~cheeks with~contempt;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:10 \ft \+xt 1Kg 22:24; Lm 3:30; Mc 5:1\+xt*\f*
\q they join themselves together against~me.
\q1
\v 11 God hands me over to~the unjust;~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 16:11 \ft LXX, Vg; MT reads \fqa to a boy\f*
\q he throws me to~the~wicked.
\q1
\v 12 I was at ease, but~he~shattered~me;
\q he seized me by~the~scruff of~the~neck
\q and smashed me to~pieces.
\q He set me up as~his~target;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:12 \ft \+xt Jb 7:20; Lm 3:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 his archers~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 16:13 \ft Or \fqa arrows\f* surround~me.
\q He pierces my~kidneys without~mercy
\q and pours my bile on~the~ground.
\q1
\v 14 He breaks through my~defenses again and~again;~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 16:14 \ft Lit \fqa through me, breach on breach\f*
\q he charges at~me like~a~warrior.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:14 \ft \+xt Jb 30:14; Jl 2:7\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 15 I have sewn sackcloth over~my~skin;
\q I have buried my~strength~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 16:15 \ft Lit \fqa horn\f* in~the~dust.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:15 \ft \+xt Jb 30:19; Ps 7:5; 75:10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 16 My face has grown~red with~weeping,
\q and darkness~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:16 \ft \+xt Ps 44:19; 107:10; Jr 13:16\+xt*\f* covers my~eyes,
\q1
\v 17 although my~hands are~free from~violence~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:17 \ft \+xt Is 53:9; 59:6; Jnh 3:8\+xt*\f*
\q and my prayer is~pure.
\b
\q1
\v 18 Earth, do not cover my~blood;
\q may my cry for~help find no~resting~place.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:18 \ft \+xt Gn 4:10; Is 26:21; Ezk 24:7–8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 19 Even now my~witness is in~heaven,
\q and my~advocate is in~the~heights!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:19 \ft \+xt Jb 22:12; Rm 1:9; 1Th 2:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 20 My friends scoff at~me
\q as I weep before~God.
\q1
\v 21 I wish that someone might argue for~a~man with~God~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 16:21 \ft \+xt Jb 31:35; Ec 6:10; Is 45:9\+xt*\f*
\q just as anyone~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 16:21 \ft Lit \fqa a son of man\f* would for~a~friend.
\q1
\v 22 For only a~few~years will~pass
\q before I go the~way of~no~return.
\b
\c 17
\q1
\v 1 My spirit is~broken.
\q My days are~extinguished.
\q A graveyard~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:1 \ft \+xt Jb 3:22; 5:26; 10:19\+xt*\f* awaits~me.
\q1
\v 2 Surely mockers surround~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 17:2 \ft Lit \fqa are with\f*~me,
\q and my eyes must~gaze at~their~rebellion.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:2 \ft \+xt Ps 22:7; 119:51; Jr 20:7\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 3 Accept my pledge! Put~up security for~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:3 \ft \+xt Gn 43:9; Ps 119:122; Pr 6:1\+xt*\f*
\q Who else will~be my~sponsor?~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 17:3 \ft Or \fqa Who is there that will shake hands with me?\f*
\q1
\v 4 You have closed their~minds to~understanding,
\q therefore you will not honor~them.
\q1
\v 5 If a man denounces~his~friends for~a~price,
\q the eyes of~his~children will~fail.
\b
\q1
\v 6 He has made me an~object of~scorn to~the~people;
\q I have become a~man people spit~at.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 17:6 \ft Lit \fqa become a spitting to the faces\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:6 \ft \+xt Nm 12:14; Is 50:6; Mt 27:30\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 7 My eyes have grown~dim from~grief,
\q and my whole body has~become but~a~shadow.
\q1
\v 8 The upright are~appalled~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:8 \ft \+xt Jb 18:20; 21:5; Dn 4:19\+xt*\f* at~this,
\q and the innocent are~roused against~the~godless.
\q1
\v 9 Yet the righteous person will~hold to~his~way,
\q and the one whose~hands are~clean~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:9 \ft \+xt 2Sm 22:21; Jb 22:30; Ps 24:4\+xt*\f* will~grow~stronger.
\q1
\v 10 But come back and~try again, all~of~you.~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 17:10 \ft Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg; other Hb mss read \fqa them\f*
\q I will not find a~wise~man among~you.
\b
\q1
\v 11 My days have slipped~by;
\q my plans have been ruined,
\q even the things dear to~my~heart.
\q1
\v 12 They turned night into~day
\q and made light seem~near in~the~face of~darkness.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:12 \ft \+xt Jb 11:17; Ps 37:6; Is 58:8,10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 If I await Sheol as~my~home,
\q spread out my~bed in~darkness,
\q1
\v 14 and say to~corruption, “You~are my~father,”
\q and to the~maggot, “My~mother” or~“My~sister,”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:14 \ft \+xt Jb 3:15; 30:23; Ec 12:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 15 where then is my~hope?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:15 \ft \+xt Jb 7:6; 14:19; 19:10\+xt*\f*
\q Who can see any~hope for~me?
\q1
\v 16 Will it go down to~the~gates of~Sheol,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 17:16 \ft \+xt Jb 7:9; 11:8; 14:13\+xt*\f*
\q or will we descend together to~the~dust?
\c 18
\s1 Bildad Speaks
\m
\v 1 Then Bildad the Shuhite~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:1 \ft \+xt Jb 2:11; 8:1; 25:1\+xt*\f* replied:
\q1
\v 2 How long until you stop~talking?
\q Show some sense, and~then we~can~talk.
\q1
\v 3 Why are we regarded as~cattle,
\q as stupid in~your~sight?
\q1
\v 4 You who tear yourself in~anger~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 18:4 \ft Lit \fqa He who tears himself in his anger\f*~—
\q should the earth be~abandoned on~your~account,
\q or a rock be~removed from~its~place?
\b
\q1
\v 5 Yes, the light~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:5 \ft \+xt Jb 21:17; Pr 13:9; 24:20\+xt*\f* of~the~wicked~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:5 \ft \+xt Jb 3:17; 9:22; 11:20\+xt*\f* is~extinguished;
\q the flame of~his~fire does not~glow.
\q1
\v 6 The light in~his~tent grows~dark,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:6 \ft \+xt Jb 8:22; 18:14; Ps 52:5\+xt*\f*
\q and the lamp beside~him is~put~out.
\q1
\v 7 His powerful stride is~shortened,
\q and his own schemes trip~him~up.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:7 \ft \+xt Jb 5:13; Pr 4:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 For his own feet lead~him into~a~net,
\q and he strays into~its~mesh.
\q1
\v 9 A trap catches him by~the~heel;
\q a noose seizes him.
\q1
\v 10 A rope lies hidden for~him on~the~ground,
\q and a snare waits for~him along~the~path.
\q1
\v 11 Terrors frighten him on~every~side~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:11 \ft \+xt Jb 20:25; 27:20; Jr 6:25\+xt*\f*
\q and harass him at~every~step.
\q1
\v 12 His strength is~depleted;
\q disaster lies ready for~him to~stumble.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 18:12 \ft Or \fqa disaster hungers for him\f*
\q1
\v 13 Parts of~his~skin are~eaten~away;
\q death’s firstborn consumes his~limbs.
\q1
\v 14 He is ripped from~the~security of~his~tent
\q and marched away to~the~king of~terrors.
\q1
\v 15 Nothing he owned remains in~his~tent.
\q Burning sulfur~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:15 \ft \+xt Gn 19:24; Ps 11:6; Ezk 38:22\+xt*\f* is~scattered over~his~home.
\q1
\v 16 His roots below dry~up,
\q and his branches above wither~away.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:16 \ft \+xt Is 5:24; Hs 9:16; Am 2:9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 17 All memory~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:17 \ft \+xt Ps 34:16; 109:13,15; Pr 10:7\+xt*\f* of~him perishes from~the~earth;
\q he has no name~anywhere.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 18:17 \ft Or \fqa name in the streets\f*
\q1
\v 18 He is driven from~light to~darkness
\q and chased from~the~inhabited~world.
\q1
\v 19 He has no children or~descendants among~his~people,
\q no survivor where~he used~to~live.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:19 \ft \+xt Gn 21:23; Is 14:22; Lm 2:22\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 20 Those in~the~west are~appalled~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:20 \ft \+xt Jr 2:12; Ezk 27:35; 32:10\+xt*\f* at~his~fate,
\q while those in~the~east tremble in~horror.
\q1
\v 21 Indeed, such is the~dwelling of~the unjust~man,
\q and this is the~place of~the~one who~does~not know~God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 18:21 \ft \+xt Jb 21:28; Jr 9:3; 1Th 4:5\+xt*\f*
\c 19
\s1 Job’s Reply to Bildad
\m
\v 1 Then Job answered:
\q1
\v 2 How long will~you torment~me
\q and crush me with~words?
\q1
\v 3 You have humiliated~me ten~times~now,
\q and you mistreat~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 19:3 \ft Hb obscure\f*~me without~shame.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:3 \ft \+xt Gn 31:7; Nm 14:22; Pr 25:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 Even if it is true that I~have~sinned,
\q my mistake concerns only~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 19:4 \ft Lit \fqa mistake lives with\f*~me.
\q1
\v 5 If you really want to~appear superior~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:5 \ft \+xt Ps 35:26; 38:16; 55:12\+xt*\f* to~me
\q and would use my~disgrace as~evidence against~me,
\q1
\v 6 then understand that it~is~God who~has~wronged~me
\q and caught me in~his~net.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:6 \ft \+xt Jb 27:2; Lm 3:5; Ezk 12:13\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 7 I cry out, “Violence!~” but~get~no~response;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:7 \ft \+xt Jb 30:20; Lm 3:8; Hab 1:2\+xt*\f*
\q I call for help, but~there~is no~justice.
\q1
\v 8 He has blocked~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:8 \ft \+xt Jb 3:23; Lm 3:9; Hs 2:6\+xt*\f* my~way so~that I~cannot pass~through;
\q he has veiled my~paths with~darkness.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:8 \ft \+xt Jb 29:3; 30:26; Is 59:9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 9 He has stripped~me of~my~honor
\q and removed the~crown from~my~head.
\q1
\v 10 He tears me down on~every~side so~that I~am~ruined.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 19:10 \ft Lit \fqa gone\f*
\q He uproots my~hope like~a~tree.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:10 \ft \+xt Dt 28:63; Jb 24:20; Ps 52:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 11 His anger~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:11 \ft \+xt Jb 16:9; 21:17; 40:11\+xt*\f* burns against~me,
\q and he regards me as one~of his~enemies.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:11 \ft \+xt Jb 13:24; 33:10; Lm 2:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 12 His troops advance together;
\q they construct a~ramp~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 19:12 \ft Lit \fqa they raise up their way\f* against~me
\q and camp~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:12 \ft \+xt Ps 27:3; Is 29:3; Jr 50:29\+xt*\f* around my~tent.
\b
\q1
\v 13 He has removed my~brothers from~me;
\q my acquaintances have~abandoned~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:13 \ft \+xt Ps 31:11; 38:11; 88:8,18\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 14 My relatives stop coming~by,
\q and my close friends have~forgotten~me.
\q1
\v 15 My house guests~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 19:15 \ft Or \fqa The resident aliens in my household\f* and~female~servants regard~me as~a~stranger;
\q I am a~foreigner in~their~sight.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:15 \ft \+xt Gn 31:15; Ps 69:8; Mt 10:36\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 16 I call for my~servant, but~he does~not~answer,
\q even if I beg him with~my~own~mouth.
\q1
\v 17 My breath is~offensive to~my~wife,
\q and my own family~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 19:17 \ft Lit \fqa and the sons of my belly\f* finds~me~repulsive.
\q1
\v 18 Even young boys scorn~me.
\q When I stand up, they~mock~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:18 \ft \+xt 2Kg 2:23; Jb 29:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 19 All of my best friends~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 19:19 \ft Lit \fqa of the men of my council\f* despise~me,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:19 \ft \+xt Jb 30:10; Ps 89:38; Am 5:10\+xt*\f*
\q and those I love have~turned against~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:19 \ft \+xt Ps 41:9; 55:11–12; Jn 13:18\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 20 My skin and~my~flesh cling to~my~bones;
\q I have escaped with only the~skin of~my~teeth.
\b
\q1
\v 21 Have mercy on~me, my~friends,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:21 \ft \+xt Jb 6:14; Ps 38:11; Pr 17:17\+xt*\f* have~mercy,
\q for God’s hand~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:21 \ft \+xt Ru 1:13; Jb 12:9; Is 41:20\+xt*\f* has~struck~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:21 \ft \+xt Jb 1:11; 2:5; 6:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 22 Why do you persecute~me as~God~does?
\q Will you never get~enough of~my~flesh?
\b
\q1
\v 23 I wish that my~words were~written~down,
\q that they were~recorded on~a~scroll
\q1
\v 24 or were inscribed in~stone~forever
\q by an iron~stylus and~lead!
\q1
\v 25 But I know that my~Redeemer lives,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 19:25 \ft Or \fqa know my living Redeemer\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:25 \ft \+xt Jb 16:19; Pr 23:11; Jr 50:34\+xt*\f*
\q and at the end he~will~stand on~the~dust.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:25 \ft \+xt Is 44:6; 48:12; Rv 1:17–18\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 26 Even after my~skin has~been~destroyed,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 19:26 \ft Lit \fqa skin which they destroyed\ft , or \fqa skin they destroyed in this way\f*
\q yet I will~see~God in~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 19:26 \ft Or \fqa apart from\f*~my~flesh.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:26 \ft \+xt Ps 17:15; Is 6:1; 1Co 13:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 27 I will see him myself;
\q my eyes will~look at~him, and~not as~a~stranger.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 19:27 \ft Or \fqa not a stranger\f*
\q My heart longs~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 19:27 \ft Lit \fqa My kidneys grow faint\f* within~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:27 \ft \+xt Ps 73:26; 84:2; 119:81\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 28 If you say, “How~will we~pursue~him,
\q since the root of~the~problem lies with~him?~”~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 19:28 \ft Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg; other Hb mss read \fqa me\f*
\q1
\v 29 then be afraid of~the~sword,
\q because wrath brings~punishment by~the~sword,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 19:29 \ft \+xt Jb 15:22; Is 66:16; Ezk 32:10\+xt*\f*
\q so that you may~know there~is a~judgment.
\c 20
\s1 Zophar Speaks
\m
\v 1 Then Zophar the Naamathite~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:1 \ft \+xt Jb 2:11; 11:1; 42:9\+xt*\f* replied:
\q1
\v 2 This is why my~unsettling~thoughts compel~me to~answer,
\q because I~am~upset!~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 20:2 \ft Lit \fqa because of my feeling within me\f*
\q1
\v 3 I have heard a~rebuke that~insults~me,
\q and my understanding~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 20:3 \ft Lit \fqa and a spirit from my understanding\f* makes~me~reply.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:3 \ft \+xt Jb 19:3; 32:18; Ac 2:20\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 4 Don’t you know that ever~since~antiquity,
\q from the time a human was~placed on~earth,
\q1
\v 5 the joy of~the~wicked has~been~brief
\q and the happiness of~the~godless has~lasted only a~moment?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:5 \ft \+xt Jb 8:12–13; Ps 37:35–36; 92:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 6 Though his arrogance reaches~heaven,
\q and his head touches the~clouds,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:6 \ft \+xt Gn 11:4; Is 14:13–14; Ob 3–4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 7 he will vanish forever like~his~own~dung.
\q Those who know~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 20:7 \ft Lit \fqa have seen\f* him will~ask, “Where~is~he?~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:7 \ft \+xt Jb 4:20; Ps 90:5–6; Jms 4:14\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 He will fly away like~a~dream and~never be~found;
\q he will be chased away like~a~vision in~the~night.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:8 \ft \+xt Ps 73:20; 90:5; Is 29:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 9 The eye that saw him will~see~him no~more,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:9 \ft \+xt Jb 7:8,21; Ps 37:36\+xt*\f*
\q and his household will~no~longer see~him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:9 \ft \+xt Jb 7:10; 8:18; Ps 103:16\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 10 His children will~beg from~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 20:10 \ft Or \fqa children must compensate\f*~the~poor,
\q for his own hands must~give~back his~wealth.
\q1
\v 11 His frame may~be full~of youthful~vigor,
\q but it will lie down with~him in~dust.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:11 \ft \+xt Jb 7:21; 17:16; Ps 7:5\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 12 Though evil tastes sweet in~his~mouth
\q and he conceals it under~his~tongue,
\q1
\v 13 though he cherishes it and~will~not let~it~go
\q but keeps it in~his~mouth,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:12–13 \ft \+xt Ps 10:7; Pr 9:17; 20:17\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 14 yet the food in~his~stomach turns
\q into cobras’ venom inside~him.
\q1
\v 15 He swallows wealth but~must vomit~it~up;
\q God will force it from~his~stomach.
\q1
\v 16 He will suck the~poison of~cobras;
\q a viper’s fangs~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 20:16 \ft Lit \fqa tongue\f* will~kill~him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:16 \ft \+xt Dt 32:33; Pr 23:32; Is 59:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 17 He will not enjoy the~streams,
\q the rivers flowing with~honey and~curds.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:17 \ft \+xt Dt 32:13; Jb 29:6; Ps 36:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 18 He must return the~fruit of~his~labor without~consuming~it;
\q he doesn’t enjoy the~profits from~his~trading.
\q1
\v 19 For he oppressed and~abandoned the~poor;
\q he seized a~house he~did~not~build.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:19 \ft \+xt Dt 28:30; Is 5:8; Mc 2:2\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 20 Because his appetite is~never~satisfied,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 20:20 \ft Lit \fqa Because he does not know ease in his stomach\f*
\q he does not let~anything he~desires~escape.
\q1
\v 21 Nothing is left for~him to~consume;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:20–21 \ft \+xt Jb 15:29; Pr 17:1; Ec 5:13\+xt*\f*
\q therefore, his~prosperity will~not~last.
\q1
\v 22 At the height of~his~success~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 20:22 \ft Lit \fqa In the fullness of his excess\f* distress~will~come to~him;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:22 \ft \+xt Jdg 2:15; Jb 21:17; Zph 1:17\+xt*\f*
\q the full weight of~misery~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 20:22 \ft Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg; other Hb mss read \fqa the hand of everyone in misery\f* will~crush~him.
\q1
\v 23 When he fills his~stomach,
\q God will send his~burning~anger against~him,
\q raining~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:23 \ft \+xt Gn 19:24; Ps 11:6; Ezk 38:22\+xt*\f* it down on~him while~he~is~eating.~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 20:23 \ft Text emended; MT reads \fqa him, against his flesh\f*
\q1
\v 24 If he flees from~an~iron~weapon,
\q an arrow from a~bronze~bow will~pierce~him.
\q1
\v 25 He pulls it out~of his~back,
\q the flashing tip out~of his~liver.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 20:25 \ft Or \fqa gallbladder\f*
\q Terrors come over~him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:25 \ft \+xt Jb 18:11; 27:20; Jr 6:25\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 26 Total darkness is~reserved for~his~treasures.
\q A fire unfanned by~human~hands will~consume~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:26 \ft \+xt Jb 15:34; Ps 21:9; 50:3\+xt*\f*~him;
\q it will feed on what~is~left in~his~tent.
\q1
\v 27 The heavens will~expose his~iniquity,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:27 \ft \+xt Jb 13:23,26; 15:5; 22:5\+xt*\f*
\q and the earth will~rise~up against~him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:27 \ft \+xt Dt 4:26; Jb 16:18–19; Ps 50:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 28 The possessions in~his~house will~be~removed,
\q flowing away on~the~day of~God’s~anger.
\q1
\v 29 This is the~wicked~person’s~lot~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 20:29 \ft \+xt Jb 27:13; 31:2; Ps 17:14\+xt*\f* from~God,
\q the inheritance God~ordained for~him.
\c 21
\s1 Job’s Reply to Zophar
\m
\v 1 Then Job answered:
\q1
\v 2 Pay close attention to~my~words;
\q let this be the~consolation you~offer.
\q1
\v 3 Bear with me while~I~speak;
\q then after I have spoken, you~may continue~mocking.
\b
\q1
\v 4 As for me, is my~complaint~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:4 \ft \+xt Jb 7:11; 10:1; 27:13\+xt*\f* against~a~human being?
\q Then why shouldn’t~I be~impatient?
\q1
\v 5 Look at me and~shudder;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:5 \ft \+xt Jb 17:8; 18:20; Dn 4:19\+xt*\f*
\q put your hand over~your~mouth.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:5 \ft \+xt Jdg 18:19; Jb 29:9; 40:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 6 When I think about~it, I~am~terrified
\q and my body trembles~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:6 \ft \+xt Jb 4:14; Ps 55:5; 119:120\+xt*\f* in~horror.
\q1
\v 7 Why do the wicked continue to~live,
\q growing old and becoming powerful?
\q1
\v 8 Their children are established while~they~are still~alive,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 21:8 \ft Lit \fqa established before them with them\f*
\q and their descendants, before~their~eyes.
\q1
\v 9 Their homes are secure and~free~of~fear;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:9 \ft \+xt Jb 5:24; 8:6; 12:6\+xt*\f*
\q no rod from God strikes them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:9 \ft \+xt Jb 9:34; Ps 73:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 10 Their bulls breed without~fail;
\q their cows calve and~do~not~miscarry.
\q1
\v 11 They let their~little~ones run around~like~lambs;
\q their children skip about,
\q1
\v 12 singing to~the~tambourine and~lyre
\q and rejoicing at~the~sound of~the~flute.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:12 \ft \+xt Jb 30:31; Ps 81:2; 150:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 They spend~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 21:13 \ft Alt Hb tradition reads \fqa fully enjoy\f* their~days in~prosperity~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:13 \ft \+xt Jb 36:11; Ps 37:7; 73:12\+xt*\f*
\q and go down to~Sheol in~peace.
\q1
\v 14 Yet they say to~God, “Leave~us~alone!
\q We don’t want to~know your~ways.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:14 \ft \+xt Jb 22:17; Ps 95:10; Pr 1:29\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 15 Who is the Almighty, that~we should~serve~him,
\q and what will we gain by~pleading with~him?~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:15 \ft \+xt Ex 5:2; Jb 34:9; Mal 3:14\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 16 But their prosperity is not of~their~own~doing.
\q The counsel of~the~wicked is far~from~me!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:16 \ft \+xt Jb 22:18; Ps 1:1; Pr 1:10\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 17 How often is the~lamp~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:17 \ft \+xt Jb 18:5; Pr 13:9; 24:20\+xt*\f* of~the~wicked put~out?
\q Does disaster~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 21:17 \ft Lit \fqa their disaster\f* come on~them?
\q Does he apportion destruction in~his~anger?
\q1
\v 18 Are they like~straw before~the~wind,
\q like chaff~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:18 \ft \+xt Ps 1:4; 35:5; Is 17:13\+xt*\f* a~storm sweeps~away?
\q1
\v 19 God reserves a~person’s~punishment for~his~children.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:19 \ft \+xt Ex 20:5; Jr 31:29; Lm 5:7\+xt*\f*
\q Let God repay the~person~himself, so~that he~may~know~it.
\q1
\v 20 Let his own eyes see his~demise;
\q let him drink from the~Almighty’s~wrath!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:20 \ft \+xt Ps 75:8; Is 51:17; Jr 25:15\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 21 For what does he care about~his~family once he~is~dead,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:21 \ft \+xt Jb 14:21; Ec 9:5; Is 63:16\+xt*\f*
\q when the number of~his~months has~run~out?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:21 \ft \+xt Jb 14:5; Ps 39:4; 90:12\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 22 Can anyone teach God knowledge,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:22 \ft \+xt Is 40:13–14; Rm 11:34; 1Co 2:16\+xt*\f*
\q since he judges the~exalted~ones?~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 21:22 \ft Probably angels\f*
\q1
\v 23 One person dies in~excellent~health,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 21:23 \ft Lit \fqa in bone of his perfection\f*
\q completely secure~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 21:23 \ft Text emended; MT reads \fqa health, all at ease\f* and~at~ease.
\q1
\v 24 His body is~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 21:24 \ft Or \fqa His sides are\ft ; Hb obscure\f*~well fed,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 21:24 \ft Lit \fqa is full of milk\f*
\q and his bones are~full of~marrow.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 21:24 \ft Lit \fqa and the marrow of his bones is watered\f*
\q1
\v 25 Yet another person dies with~a~bitter~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:25 \ft \+xt 1Sm 1:10; Jb 7:11; 10:1\+xt*\f*~soul,
\q having never tasted~prosperity.
\q1
\v 26 But they both lie in~the~dust,
\q and worms cover them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:26 \ft \+xt Jb 20:11; Ec 9:2–3; Is 14:11\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 27 I know your~thoughts very~well,
\q the schemes by which you~would wrong~me.
\q1
\v 28 For you say, “Where~now is the~nobleman’s~house?~”
\q and “Where are the~tents~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:28 \ft \+xt Jb 8:22; 18:21; Ps 55:15\+xt*\f* the~wicked lived~in?~”
\q1
\v 29 Have you never consulted those~who~travel the~roads?
\q Don’t you accept their~reports?~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 21:29 \ft Lit \fqa signs\f*
\q1
\v 30 Indeed, the evil person is~spared from~the~day of~disaster,
\q rescued from~the~day of~wrath.
\q1
\v 31 Who would denounce his~behavior to~his~face?
\q Who would repay~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 21:31 \ft \+xt Dt 7:10; Jb 34:11; Ps 62:12\+xt*\f* him for~what he~has~done?
\q1
\v 32 He is carried to~the~grave,
\q and someone keeps~watch~over his~tomb.
\q1
\v 33 The dirt on~his~grave is~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 21:33 \ft Lit \fqa The clods of the wadi are\f*~sweet to~him.
\q Everyone follows behind~him,
\q and those who~go before~him are without~number.
\b
\q1
\v 34 So how can you~offer~me such~futile~comfort?
\q Your answers are~deceptive.
\c 22
\ms Third Series of Speeches
\s1 Eliphaz Speaks
\m
\v 1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:
\q1
\v 2 Can a man be of~any~use to~God?
\q Can even a~wise~man be of~use to~him?
\q1
\v 3 Does it delight the~Almighty if~you are~righteous?
\q Does he profit if~you perfect your~behavior?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:2–3 \ft \+xt Jb 35:7; Ps 16:2; Lk 17:10\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 4 Does he correct you and~take~you to~court
\q because of your~piety?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:4 \ft \+xt Jb 14:3; Ps 143:2\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 5 Isn’t your~wickedness abundant
\q and aren’t your~iniquities endless?
\q1
\v 6 For you took collateral~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:6 \ft \+xt Ex 22:26; Dt 24:6,17; Ezk 18:12\+xt*\f* from~your~brothers without~cause,
\q stripping off their~clothes and~leaving~them naked.
\q1
\v 7 You gave no~water to~the~thirsty
\q and withheld food from~the~famished,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:7 \ft \+xt Jb 31:17; Is 58:7; Mt 25:42\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 while the land belonged to~a~powerful~man
\q and an~influential~man lived on~it.
\q1
\v 9 You sent widows away empty-handed,
\q and the strength of~the~fatherless~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:9 \ft \+xt Jb 24:3; Is 10:2; Ezk 22:7\+xt*\f* was~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 22:9 \ft LXX, Syr, Vg, Tg read \fqa you have\f*~crushed.
\q1
\v 10 Therefore snares surround~you,
\q and sudden dread terrifies~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:10 \ft \+xt Jb 3:25; 23:15; 31:23\+xt*\f*~you,
\q1
\v 11 or darkness, so~you~cannot~see,
\q and a flood of~water covers~you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:11 \ft \+xt Jb 38:34; Ps 69:1–2; Lm 3:54\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 12 Isn’t God as~high as~the~heavens?
\q And look at~the~highest~stars~#—~#how~lofty they~are!
\q1
\v 13 Yet you say, “What~does God~know?
\q Can he judge through~total~darkness?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:13 \ft \+xt Ps 73:11; Is 29:15; Ezk 8:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 14 Clouds~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:14 \ft \+xt 2Sm 22:12; Jb 26:8; 37:11\+xt*\f* veil him so~that he~cannot~see,
\q as he walks on~the~circle of~the~sky.”
\q1
\v 15 Will you continue on~the~ancient~path
\q that wicked men have walked?
\q1
\v 16 They were snatched away before~their~time,
\q and their foundations~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:16 \ft \+xt Jb 4:19; Lm 4:11; Ezk 30:4\+xt*\f* were~washed~away by~a~river.
\q1
\v 17 They were the~ones who~said to~God, “Leave~us~alone!~”
\q and “What~can the~Almighty do to~us?~”~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 22:17 \ft LXX, Syr; MT reads \fqa them\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:17 \ft \+xt Jb 21:14; Ps 95:10; 107:42\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 18 But it was he who~filled their~houses with~good~things.
\q The counsel of~the~wicked is far~from~me!
\q1
\v 19 The righteous see~this and~rejoice;
\q the innocent mock~them, saying,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:19 \ft \+xt Ps 52:6; 58:10; Pr 1:26–27\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 20 “Surely our~opponents are~destroyed,
\q and fire has~consumed what~they~left~behind.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:20 \ft \+xt Jb 1:16; 4:9; 15:30\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 21 Come to terms with~God and~be at~peace;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:21 \ft \+xt Ps 119:165; Pr 3:2; Is 27:5\+xt*\f*
\q in this way~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 22:21 \ft Lit \fqa peace; by them\f* good will~come to~you.
\q1
\v 22 Receive instruction from~his~mouth,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:22 \ft \+xt Dt 8:3; Pr 2:6; Mal 2:7\+xt*\f*
\q and place his~sayings~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:22 \ft \+xt Jb 6:10; 23:12; Ps 119:102\+xt*\f* in~your~heart.
\q1
\v 23 If you return~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:23 \ft \+xt Is 31:6; 55:7; Mal 3:7\+xt*\f* to~the~Almighty, you~will be~renewed.
\q If you banish injustice from~your~tent
\q1
\v 24 and consign your~gold to~the~dust,
\q the gold of Ophir~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:24 \ft \+xt 1Kg 9:28; Jb 28:16; Is 13:12\+xt*\f* to~the~stones in~the~wadis,
\q1
\v 25 the Almighty will~be your~gold
\q and your finest silver.
\q1
\v 26 Then you will delight~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:26 \ft \+xt Jb 27:10; Ps 37:4; Is 55:2\+xt*\f*~in the~Almighty
\q and lift up your~face to~God.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:26 \ft \+xt Jb 11:15; 27:10; Is 58:14\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 27 You will pray to~him, and~he~will hear~you,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:27 \ft \+xt Jb 33:26; Ps 50:14; Is 58:9\+xt*\f*
\q and you will~fulfill your~vows.
\q1
\v 28 When you make a~decision, it~will~be carried~out,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 22:28 \ft Lit \fqa out for you\f*
\q and light will~shine on~your~ways.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:28 \ft \+xt Pr 4:18; Is 60:3; Dn 12:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 29 When others are~humiliated and~you~say, “Lift~them~up,”
\q God will save the~humble.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 22:29 \ft Lit \fqa bowed of eyes\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:29 \ft \+xt Ps 18:27; Mt 23:12; 1Pt 5:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 30 He will even rescue the~guilty~one,
\q who will be rescued by~the~purity of~your~hands.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 22:30 \ft \+xt 2Sm 22:21; Jb 17:9; Ps 24:4\+xt*\f*
\c 23
\s1 Job’s Reply to Eliphaz
\m
\v 1 Then Job answered:
\q1
\v 2 Today also my~complaint is~bitter.~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 23:2 \ft Syr, Tg, Vg; MT reads \fqa rebellion\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:2 \ft \+xt Jb 7:11; 10:1; 21:4\+xt*\f*
\q His~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 23:2 \ft LXX, Syr; MT reads \fqa My\f* hand is~heavy despite~my~groaning.
\q1
\v 3 If only I knew how~to find~him,
\q so that I could go to~his~throne.
\q1
\v 4 I would plead my~case before~him~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:4 \ft \+xt Jb 5:8; 13:18; 35:14\+xt*\f*
\q and fill my~mouth with~arguments.
\q1
\v 5 I would learn~how~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 23:5 \ft Lit \fqa the words\f* he~would answer~me;
\q and understand what he~would~say to~me.
\q1
\v 6 Would he prosecute~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:6 \ft \+xt Jb 13:19; 33:13; Is 45:9\+xt*\f* me~forcefully?
\q No, he would certainly pay~attention to~me.
\q1
\v 7 Then an upright man could~reason~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:7 \ft \+xt Jb 13:3,15; 15:3\+xt*\f* with~him,
\q and I would escape from~my~Judge~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 23:7 \ft Or \fqa judgment\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:7 \ft \+xt Gn 18:25; Is 33:22; Jr 11:20\+xt*\f*~forever.
\b
\q1
\v 8 If I go east, he~is not~there,
\q and if I go west, I~cannot perceive~him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:8 \ft \+xt Jb 9:11; 35:14\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 9 When he is at~work to~the~north, I~cannot see~him;
\q when he turns~south, I~cannot find~him.
\q1
\v 10 Yet he knows the~way I~have~taken;~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 23:10 \ft Lit \fqa way with me\f*
\q when he has tested me,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:10 \ft \+xt Ps 17:3; 66:10; 1Pt 1:7\+xt*\f* I~will~emerge as~pure~gold.
\q1
\v 11 My feet have followed in~his~tracks;
\q I have kept to~his~way~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:11 \ft \+xt Jb 17:9; Ps 17:5; 44:18\+xt*\f* and~not turned~aside.
\q1
\v 12 I have not departed from~the~commands from~his~lips;
\q I have treasured~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 23:12 \ft LXX, Vg read \fqa treasured in my bosom\f* the~words~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:12 \ft \+xt Jb 6:10; 22:22; Ps 119:102–103,111\+xt*\f* from~his~mouth
\q more than my~daily~food.
\b
\q1
\v 13 But he is unchangeable; who~can oppose~him?
\q He does what~he~desires.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:13 \ft \+xt Ps 115:3; Is 14:27; Dn 4:35\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 14 He will certainly accomplish what~he~has~decreed for~me,
\q and he has many~more~things like~these in~mind.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 23:14 \ft Lit \fqa these with him\f*
\q1
\v 15 Therefore I~am~terrified~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:15 \ft \+xt Jb 4:14; 22:10; 23:15\+xt*\f* in~his~presence;
\q when I consider this, I~am~afraid of~him.
\q1
\v 16 God has made my~heart~faint;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:16 \ft \+xt Dt 20:3; Is 7:4; Jr 51:46\+xt*\f*
\q the Almighty has~terrified~me.
\q1
\v 17 Yet I am not~destroyed~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 23:17 \ft Or \fqa silenced\f* by~the~darkness,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 23:17 \ft \+xt Jb 19:8; 29:3; 30:26\+xt*\f*
\q by the thick darkness that~covers my~face.
\b
\c 24
\q1
\v 1 Why does the Almighty not~reserve times for~judgment?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:1 \ft \+xt Ec 9:12; Is 2:12; Ac 1:7\+xt*\f*
\q Why do those who~know~him never~see his~days?
\q1
\v 2 The wicked displace boundary~markers.
\q They steal a flock and~provide pasture for~it.
\q1
\v 3 They drive away the~donkeys owned by~the~fatherless~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:3 \ft \+xt Dt 27:19; Jb 22:9; 31:21\+xt*\f*
\q and take the~widow’s~ox as~collateral.
\q1
\v 4 They push the needy off the~road;
\q the poor of~the~land are~forced into~hiding.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:4 \ft \+xt Jdg 5:6; Pr 28:28; Am 2:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 5 Like wild donkeys in~the~wilderness,
\q the poor go out to~their~task of~foraging for~food;
\q the desert provides nourishment for~their~children.
\q1
\v 6 They gather their~fodder in~the~field
\q and glean the~vineyards of~the~wicked.
\q1
\v 7 Without clothing, they~spend the~night~naked,
\q having no~covering against~the~cold.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:7 \ft \+xt Ex 22:26–27; Dt 24:12–13; Jb 22:6\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 Drenched by~mountain~rains,
\q they huddle against~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 24:8 \ft Lit \fqa they embrace\f*~the~rocks, shelterless.
\q1
\v 9 The fatherless infant is~snatched from~the~breast;
\q the nursing child of~the~poor is~seized as~collateral.~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 24:9 \ft Text emended; MT reads \fqa breast; they seize collateral against the poor\f*
\q1
\v 10 Without clothing, they~wander~about~naked.
\q They carry sheaves but~go~hungry.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:10 \ft \+xt Dt 24:19; 2Tm 2:6; Jms 5:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 11 They crush olives in~their~presses;~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 24:11 \ft Lit \fqa olives between their rows\f*
\q they tread the~winepresses, but~go~thirsty.
\q1
\v 12 From the city, men~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 24:12 \ft One Hb ms, Syr read \fqa the dying\f*~groan;
\q the mortally wounded cry for~help,
\q yet God pays no~attention to~this~crime.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:12 \ft \+xt Jb 1:22; Ps 69:26\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 13 The wicked are those who~rebel against~the~light.
\q They do not recognize its~ways
\q or stay on~its~paths.
\q1
\v 14 The murderer rises at~dawn
\q to kill the~poor and~needy,
\q and by night he~becomes a~thief.
\q1
\v 15 The adulterer’s eye watches for~twilight,
\q thinking, “No~eye will~see~me,”
\q and he covers his~face.
\q1
\v 16 In the dark they~break~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 24:16 \ft Lit \fqa dig\f* into~houses;
\q by day they lock themselves~in,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 24:16 \ft Lit \fqa they seal for themselves\f*
\q never experiencing the~light.
\q1
\v 17 For the morning is like~darkness to~them.
\q Surely they are~familiar with~the~terrors of~darkness!
\b
\q1
\v 18 They float~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 24:18 \ft Lit \fqa are insignificant\f* on~the~surface of~the~water.
\q Their section of~the~land is~cursed,
\q so that they never~go to~their~vineyards.
\q1
\v 19 As dry ground and~heat snatch~away the~melted~snow,
\q so Sheol~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:19 \ft \+xt Jb 7:9; Ps 9:17; Pr 27:20\+xt*\f* steals those who~have~sinned.
\q1
\v 20 The womb forgets them;
\q worms feed on~them;
\q they are remembered~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:20 \ft \+xt Jb 18:17; Pr 10:7; Jr 11:19\+xt*\f* no~more.
\q So injustice is~broken like~a~tree.
\q1
\v 21 They prey on~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 24:21 \ft LXX, Tg read \fqa They harm\f* the~childless~woman who~is~unable to~conceive,
\q and do not deal~kindly with~the~widow.
\q1
\v 22 Yet God drags away~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 24:22 \ft Or \fqa God prolongs the life of\f* the~mighty by~his~power;
\q when he rises up, they~have no~assurance of~life.
\q1
\v 23 He gives them a~sense of~security, so~they can~rely on~it,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:23 \ft \+xt Jb 11:18; Ps 4:8; Pr 3:24\+xt*\f*
\q but his eyes~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:23 \ft \+xt Ps 11:4; Pr 15:3; Jr 16:17\+xt*\f* watch over~their~ways.
\q1
\v 24 They are exalted for~a~moment, then~gone;
\q they are brought low and~shrivel~up like~everything~else.~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 24:24 \ft LXX reads \fqa like a mallow plant in the heat\f*
\q They wither like~heads of~grain.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:24 \ft \+xt Jb 14:21; Ps 37:10; 106:43\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 25 If this is not true, then~who can~prove~me a~liar~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 24:25 \ft \+xt Jb 6:28; 27:4; 34:6\+xt*\f*
\q and show that my~speech is~worthless?
\c 25
\s1 Bildad Speaks
\m
\v 1 Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:
\q1
\v 2 Dominion and dread~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:2 \ft \+xt 2Ch 20:29; Jb 13:11; Ps 36:1\+xt*\f* belong to~him,
\q the one who establishes harmony in~his~heights.
\q1
\v 3 Can his troops be~numbered?
\q Does his light not~shine on~everyone?
\q1
\v 4 How can a human be~justified before~God?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:4 \ft \+xt Jb 9:2; Ps 143:2; Rm 3:20\+xt*\f*
\q How can one born of~woman be~pure?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:4 \ft \+xt Jb 4:17; 15:14; Pr 20:9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 5 If even the moon does~not~shine
\q and the stars are~not~pure in~his~sight,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:5 \ft \+xt Jb 4:18; 15:15; 21:22\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 6 how much less a human, who~is a~maggot,
\q a son~of~man,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 25:6 \ft Or \fqa a mere mortal\f* who~is a~worm!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 25:6 \ft \+xt Ps 8:4; 22:6; Is 41:14\+xt*\f*
\c 26
\s1 Job’s Reply to Bildad
\m
\v 1 Then Job answered:
\q1
\v 2 How you have~helped~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:2 \ft \+xt Jb 4:3; Is 35:3; Heb 12:12\+xt*\f* the~powerless
\q and delivered the~arm that~is~weak!
\q1
\v 3 How you have~counseled the~unwise~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:3 \ft \+xt Jb 11:6; Ps 73:24; Jms 1:5\+xt*\f*
\q and abundantly provided~insight!
\q1
\v 4 With whom did you speak these~words?
\q Whose breath came out~of your~mouth?
\b
\q1
\v 5 The departed spirits tremble
\q beneath the waters and~all that inhabit~them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:5 \ft \+xt Ps 88:10; Is 26:14,19; Rv 20:13\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 6 Sheol~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:6 \ft \+xt Ps 30:3,9; Pr 1:12; Is 5:14\+xt*\f* is naked before~God,
\q and Abaddon~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:6 \ft \+xt Jb 28:22; Pr 27:20; Rv 9:11\+xt*\f* has no~covering.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:6 \ft \+xt Ps 139:8; Pr 15:11; Heb 4:13\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 7 He stretches the~northern~skies over~empty~space;
\q he hangs the~earth on~nothing.
\q1
\v 8 He wraps up the~water in~his~clouds,
\q yet the clouds do~not~burst beneath~its~weight.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:8 \ft \+xt Jb 37:11; 38:9; Pr 30:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 9 He obscures the~view of~his~throne,
\q spreading his~cloud over~it.
\q1
\v 10 He laid out the~horizon on~the~surface of~the~waters~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:10 \ft \+xt Ps 104:9; Pr 8:27,29; Jr 5:22\+xt*\f*
\q at the boundary between~light and~darkness.
\q1
\v 11 The pillars that~hold~up the~sky~tremble,
\q astounded at~his~rebuke.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:11 \ft \+xt 2Sm 22:16; Ps 18:15; 104:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 12 By his power he~stirred~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:12 \ft \+xt Is 51:15; Jr 31:35\+xt*\f* the~sea,
\q and by his understanding he~crushed~Rahab.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:12 \ft \+xt Jb 9:13; Ps 89:10; Is 51:9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 By his breath the~heavens~gained their~beauty;
\q his hand pierced the~fleeing~serpent.~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 26:13 \ft = Leviathan\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 26:13 \ft \+xt Jb 41; Ps 33:6; Is 27:1\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 14 These are but~the~fringes of~his~ways;
\q how faint is the~word we~hear of~him!
\q Who can understand his~mighty~thunder?
\b
\c 27
\m
\v 1 Job continued his discourse, saying:
\q1
\v 2 As God lives, who~has deprived~me of~justice,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:2 \ft \+xt Jb 19:6; 34:5\+xt*\f*
\q and the Almighty who~has made~me~bitter,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:2 \ft \+xt Ex 1:14; Ru 1:20; Jb 3:20\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 3 as long as my~breath is~still in~me
\q and the breath from~God remains in~my~nostrils,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:3 \ft \+xt Gn 2:7; Jb 12:10; 33:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 my lips will~not speak~unjustly,
\q and my tongue will~not utter~deceit.
\q1
\v 5 I will never affirm that~you are~right.
\q I will maintain my~integrity~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 27:5 \ft Lit \fqa will not remove my integrity from me\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:5 \ft \+xt Jb 2:3,9; 31:6; Pr 11:3\+xt*\f* until~I~die.
\q1
\v 6 I will cling to my~righteousness and~never let~it~go.
\q My conscience~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:6 \ft \+xt Ac 24:16; 1Co 4:4; Rv 9:11\+xt*\f* will~not accuse~me as~long~as I~live!
\b
\q1
\v 7 May my enemy be like~the~wicked
\q and my opponent like~the~unjust.
\q1
\v 8 For what hope does the~godless~person~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:8 \ft \+xt Jb 17:8; 20:5; 36:13\+xt*\f*~have when he is cut~off,
\q when God takes~away his~life?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:8 \ft \+xt Jb 8:13; Mt 16:26; Lk 12:20\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 9 Will God hear his~cry
\q when distress comes on~him?
\q1
\v 10 Will he delight~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:10 \ft \+xt Jb 22:26; Ps 37:4; Is 55:2\+xt*\f* in~the~Almighty?
\q Will he call on~God at~all~times?
\q1
\v 11 I will teach you about~God’s~power.
\q I will not conceal what~the~Almighty has~planned.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 27:11 \ft Lit \fqa what is with the Almighty\f*
\q1
\v 12 All of you have seen~this for~yourselves,
\q why do you keep~up this~empty~talk?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:12 \ft \+xt Jb 2:10; 15:2\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 13 This is a~wicked~man’s~lot~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:13 \ft \+xt Jb 20:29; 31:2; Ps 17:14\+xt*\f* from~God,
\q the inheritance the~ruthless receive from~the~Almighty.
\q1
\v 14 Even if his children increase, they~are~destined for~the~sword;
\q his descendants will~never have~enough~food.
\q1
\v 15 Those who survive him will~be~buried by~the~plague,
\q yet their widows will~not~weep for~them.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:15 \ft \+xt Jb 18:19; Ps 78:64; Jr 22:10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 16 Though he piles~up~silver like~dust
\q and heaps up fine~clothing like~clay~—
\q1
\v 17 he may heap it up, but~the~righteous will~wear~it,
\q and the innocent will~divide~up his~silver.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:17 \ft \+xt Pr 13:22; 28:8; Ec 2:26\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 18 The house he~built is like~a~moth’s~cocoon
\q or a shelter set~up by~a~watchman.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:18 \ft \+xt Jb 4:19; Is 1:8; Jnh 4:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 19 He lies down wealthy, but~will do~so no~more;
\q when he opens his~eyes, it~is~gone.
\q1
\v 20 Terrors overtake him like~a~flood;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:20 \ft \+xt Jb 18:11; 20:25; Jr 6:25\+xt*\f*
\q a storm~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:20 \ft \+xt Jb 21:18; Ps 83:15; Is 29:6\+xt*\f* wind sweeps~him away at~night.
\q1
\v 21 An east wind picks~him~up, and~he~is~gone;
\q it carries him away from~his~place.
\q1
\v 22 It blasts at him without~mercy,
\q while he flees desperately from~its~force.
\q1
\v 23 It claps~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 27:23 \ft \+xt Nm 24:10; Jb 34:37; Lm 2:15\+xt*\f* its~hands at~him
\q and scoffs at him from~its~place.
\c 28
\s1 A Hymn to Wisdom
\q1
\v 1 Surely there is a~mine for~silver
\q and a place where~gold is~refined.
\q1
\v 2 Iron is taken from~the~ground,
\q and copper is~smelted from~ore.
\q1
\v 3 A miner puts an~end to~the~darkness;
\q he probes~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 28:3 \ft Lit \fqa probes all\f* the~deepest~recesses
\q for ore in~the~gloomy~darkness.
\q1
\v 4 He cuts a shaft far from~human~habitation,
\q in places unknown to~those who~walk above~ground.
\q Suspended far~away from~people,
\q the miners swing~back and~forth.
\q1
\v 5 Food may come from~the~earth,
\q but below the surface the~earth is~transformed as~by~fire.
\q1
\v 6 Its rocks are a~source of~lapis~lazuli,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:6 \ft \+xt Ex 24:10; Ezk 1:26; Rv 21:19\+xt*\f*
\q containing flecks of~gold.
\q1
\v 7 No bird of prey knows that~path;
\q no falcon’s eye has~seen~it.
\q1
\v 8 Proud beasts have~never~walked on~it;
\q no lion has ever~prowled over~it.
\q1
\v 9 The miner uses a~flint~tool
\q and turns up~ore from~the~root of~the~mountains.
\q1
\v 10 He cuts out channels in~the~rocks,
\q and his eyes spot every~treasure.
\q1
\v 11 He dams up the~streams from~flowing~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 28:11 \ft LXX, Vg read \fqa He explores the sources of the streams\f*
\q so that he may~bring to~light what~is~hidden.
\b
\q1
\v 12 But where can~wisdom~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:12 \ft \+xt Jb 28:20; Pr 16:16; Ec 7:23,25\+xt*\f* be~found,
\q and where is~understanding located?
\q1
\v 13 No one can know its~value,~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 28:13 \ft LXX reads \fqa way\f*
\q since it cannot be~found in~the~land of~the~living.
\q1
\v 14 The ocean depths say, “It’s~not in~me,”
\q while the sea declares, “I~don’t have~it.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:14 \ft \+xt Dt 30:11–13; Ps 92:5; Rm 11:33\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 15 Gold cannot be~exchanged for~it,
\q and silver cannot~be~weighed~out for~its~price.
\q1
\v 16 Wisdom cannot~be~valued in~the~gold of~Ophir,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:16 \ft \+xt 1Kg 9:28; 10:11; Jb 22:24\+xt*\f*
\q in precious onyx or~lapis lazuli.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:16 \ft \+xt Pr 3:14–16; 8:10–11; 16:16\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 17 Gold and glass do~not~compare with~it,
\q and articles of~fine~gold cannot~be~exchanged for~it.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:17 \ft \+xt Ps 119:72; Pr 8:19; 20:15\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 18 Coral and~quartz are~not worth~mentioning.
\q The price of~wisdom is~beyond~pearls.
\q1
\v 19 Topaz from~Cush cannot~compare with~it,
\q and it cannot be~valued in~pure~gold.
\b
\q1
\v 20 Where then does wisdom come~from,
\q and where is understanding located?
\q1
\v 21 It is hidden from~the~eyes of~every~living~thing
\q and concealed from~the~birds of~the~sky.
\q1
\v 22 Abaddon and~Death~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:22 \ft \+xt Jb 25:6; Ps 49:14; Pr 27:20\+xt*\f* say,
\q “We have heard news of~it with~our~ears.”
\q1
\v 23 But God understands the~way to~wisdom,
\q and he knows its~location.
\q1
\v 24 For he looks to~the~ends of~the~earth
\q and sees everything under~the~heavens.
\q1
\v 25 When God fixed the~weight of~the~wind
\q and distributed the~water by~measure,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:25 \ft \+xt Ps 135:7; Pr 30:4; Is 40:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 26 when he established a~limit~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 28:26 \ft Or \fqa decree\f* for~the~rain~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:26 \ft \+xt Jb 5:10; 37:6; 38:25\+xt*\f*
\q and a path for~the~lightning,
\q1
\v 27 he considered wisdom and~evaluated~it;
\q he established it and~examined~it.
\q1
\v 28 He said to~mankind,
\q “The fear of~the~Lord~#—~#that~is~wisdom.
\q And to turn from~evil is~understanding.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 28:28 \ft \+xt Dt 4:6; Pr 1:7; 9:10\+xt*\f*
\c 29
\s1 Job’s Final Claim of Innocence
\m
\v 1 Job continued his discourse, saying:
\q1
\v 2 If only I could be as~in~months gone~by,
\q in the days when God watched~over~me,
\q1
\v 3 when his lamp shone above~my~head,
\q and I walked through~darkness by~his~light!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:3 \ft \+xt Jb 11:17; Ps 18:28; 119:105\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 I would be as~I~was in~the~days of~my~youth
\q when God’s friendship~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:4 \ft \+xt Ps 25:14; 55:14; Pr 3:32\+xt*\f* rested on~my~tent,
\q1
\v 5 when the Almighty was~still with~me
\q and my children were around~me,
\q1
\v 6 when my feet were~bathed in~curds
\q and the rock~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:6 \ft \+xt Dt 32:13; Jb 20:17; Ps 81:16\+xt*\f* poured~out streams of~oil for~me!
\b
\q1
\v 7 When I went~out to~the~city~gate~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:7 \ft \+xt Dt 25:7; 2Sm 15:2; 2Ch 32:6; Ps 69:12; Am 5:10\+xt*\f*
\q and took my~seat in~the~town~square,
\q1
\v 8 the young men saw~me and~withdrew,
\q while older men stood to~their~feet.
\q1
\v 9 City officials stopped~talking
\q and covered their~mouths with~their~hands.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:9 \ft \+xt Jdg 18:19; Jb 21:5; 40:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 10 The noblemen’s voices were~hushed,
\q and their tongues stuck to~the~roof of~their~mouths.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:10 \ft \+xt Ps 22:15; Ezk 3:26\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 11 When they heard me, they~blessed~me,
\q and when they saw me, they~spoke~well of~me.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 29:11 \ft Lit \fqa When an ear heard, it called me blessed, and when an eye saw, it testified for me\f*
\q1
\v 12 For I rescued the~poor~who~cried~out for~help,
\q and the fatherless child who~had no~one to~support~him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:12 \ft \+xt Ex 22:22; Dt 24:17; 27:19; Jb 6:27; 31:21; Ps 10:14; 72:12; Pr 21:13\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 The dying blessed me,
\q and I made the~widow’s~heart rejoice.
\q1
\v 14 I clothed myself in~righteousness,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:14 \ft \+xt Ps 132:9; Is 59:17; Eph 6:14\+xt*\f*
\q and~it enveloped~me;
\q my just decisions were like~a~robe and~a~turban.
\q1
\v 15 I was eyes to~the~blind
\q and feet to~the~lame.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:15 \ft \+xt Is 35:6; 42:7,16; Mt 11:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 16 I was a father to~the~needy,
\q and I examined the~case of~the~stranger.
\q1
\v 17 I shattered the~fangs of~the~unjust~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:17 \ft \+xt Jb 4:10; Ps 3:7; 58:6\+xt*\f*
\q and snatched the~prey from~his~teeth.
\b
\q1
\v 18 So I thought, “I~will~die in~my~own~nest
\q and multiply my~days as~the~sand.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 29:18 \ft Or \fqa as the phoenix\f*
\q1
\v 19 My roots will~have~access to~water,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:19 \ft \+xt Jb 14:9; Ps 1:3; Ezk 31:7\+xt*\f*
\q and the dew will~rest on~my~branches all~night.
\q1
\v 20 My whole being will~be~refreshed within~me,
\q and my bow will be renewed in~my~hand.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:20 \ft \+xt Gn 49:24; Is 40:31; 41:1\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 21 Men listened to~me with~expectation,
\q waiting silently for~my~advice.
\q1
\v 22 After a word from~me they~did~not speak~again;
\q my speech settled on~them like~dew.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 29:22 \ft \+xt Dt 32:2\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 23 They waited for~me as~for the~rain
\q and opened their~mouths as~for spring~showers.
\q1
\v 24 If I smiled at~them, they~couldn’t believe~it;
\q they were thrilled at~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 29:24 \ft Lit \fqa they did not cast down\f*~the~light of~my~countenance.
\q1
\v 25 I directed their~course and~presided as~chief.
\q I lived as~a~king among~his~troops,
\q like one who~comforts those~who~mourn.
\b
\c 30
\q1
\v 1 But now they~mock~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:1 \ft \+xt Jb 12:4; Jr 20:7; Lm 3:14\+xt*\f*~me,
\q men younger than~I~am,
\q whose fathers I~would~have refused to~put
\q with~my~sheep~dogs.
\q1
\v 2 What use to me was the~strength of~their~hands?
\q Their vigor had left them.
\q1
\v 3 Emaciated from~poverty and~hunger,
\q they gnawed the~dry~land,
\q the desolate wasteland by~night.
\q1
\v 4 They plucked mallow~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 30:4 \ft Or \fqa saltwort\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:4 \ft \+xt Jb 12:4; Jr 20:7; Lm 3:14\+xt*\f* among~the~shrubs,
\q and the roots of~the~broom~tree were their~food.
\q1
\v 5 They were banished from~human~society;
\q people shouted at~them as~if~they~were~thieves.
\q1
\v 6 They are living on~the~slopes of~the~wadis,
\q among the rocks and~in~holes in~the~ground.
\q1
\v 7 They bray among~the~shrubs;
\q they huddle beneath~the~thistles.
\q1
\v 8 Foolish~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:8 \ft \+xt Pr 26:7,12; Ec 7:5; Is 32:5–6\+xt*\f* men, without~even~a~name.
\q They were forced to~leave the~land.
\b
\q1
\v 9 Now I am mocked by~their~songs;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:9 \ft \+xt Jb 12:4; 30:1; Lm 3:14\+xt*\f*
\q I have become an~object of~scorn to~them.
\q1
\v 10 They despise me and~keep their~distance from~me;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:10 \ft \+xt Jb 19:19; Ps 89:38; Am 5:10\+xt*\f*
\q they do not hesitate to~spit~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:10 \ft \+xt Nm 12:14; Is 50:6; Mt 26:67\+xt*\f* in~my~face.
\q1
\v 11 Because God has~loosened my~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 30:11 \ft Alt Hb tradition, LXX, Vg read \fqa his\f*~bowstring and~oppressed~me,
\q they have cast~off~restraint in~my~presence.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:11 \ft \+xt Jb 12:18; 29:20; Ps 32:9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 12 The rabble~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 30:12 \ft Hb obscure\f* rise~up at~my~right;
\q they trap~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 30:12 \ft Lit \fqa stretch out\f* my~feet
\q and construct their~siege~ramp~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 30:12 \ft Lit \fqa and raise up their destructive paths\f* against~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:12 \ft \+xt Jb 16:10; 19:12; Ps 140:4–5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 They tear up my~path;
\q they contribute to~my~destruction,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:13 \ft \+xt Jb 6:2; Ps 57:1; Pr 19:13\+xt*\f*
\q without anyone to~help~them.
\q1
\v 14 They advance as~through a~gaping~breach;
\q they keep rolling in~through the~ruins.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:14 \ft \+xt Jb 16:14; Jl 2:7\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 15 Terrors~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:15 \ft \+xt Jb 18:11; 27:20; Ps 73:19\+xt*\f* are turned~loose against~me;
\q they chase my~dignity~away like~the~wind,
\q and my prosperity has~passed~by like~a~cloud.
\b
\q1
\v 16 Now my life is~poured~out before~me,
\q and days of~suffering~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:16 \ft \+xt Jb 10:15; 30:27; 36:21\+xt*\f* have~seized~me.
\q1
\v 17 Night pierces my~bones,
\q but my gnawing pains never~rest.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:17 \ft \+xt Jb 33:19; Ps 6:2; 38:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 18 My clothing is~distorted with~great~force;
\q he chokes me by~the~neck of~my~garment.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 30:18 \ft Hb obscure\f*
\q1
\v 19 He throws me into~the~mud,
\q and I have become like~dust and~ashes.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:19 \ft \+xt Jb 16:15; Ps 7:5; 75:10\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 20 I cry out to you for~help, but~you do~not answer~me;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:20 \ft \+xt Jb 19:7; Ps 18:41; 88:13–14\+xt*\f*
\q when I stand up, you~merely~look at~me.
\q1
\v 21 You have turned against~me with~cruelty;
\q you harass~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:21 \ft \+xt Gn 49:23; Jb 16:9; Ps 55:3\+xt*\f* me with~your~strong~hand.
\q1
\v 22 You lift me up on~the~wind and~make~me ride~it;
\q you scatter me in~the~storm.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:22 \ft \+xt Jb 9:17; Ps 83:15; Jnh 1:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 23 Yes, I know that you~will~lead~me to~death~—
\q the place~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:23 \ft \+xt Jb 3:15; 17:13; Ec 12:5\+xt*\f* appointed for~all who~live.
\b
\q1
\v 24 Yet no one would stretch~out his~hand
\q against a~ruined~person~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 30:24 \ft Lit \fqa a heap of ruins\f*
\q when he cries out to~him for~help
\q because of his~distress.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:24 \ft \+xt Jb 12:5; 31:29; Pr 24:22\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 25 Have I not wept for~those who~have~fallen on~hard~times?
\q Has my soul not~grieved for~the~needy?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:25 \ft \+xt Jb 5:15; 24:4,14; 31:19\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 26 But when I hoped for~good, evil~came;
\q when I looked for~light, darkness~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:26 \ft \+xt Jb 19:8; Is 59:9; Lm 3:2\+xt*\f*~came.
\q1
\v 27 I am churning within~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 30:27 \ft Lit \fqa My bowels boil\f* and~cannot~rest;
\q days of suffering confront~me.
\q1
\v 28 I walk about blackened, but~not by~the~sun.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 30:28 \ft Or \fqa walk in sunless gloom\f*
\q I stood in~the~assembly and~cried~out for~help.
\q1
\v 29 I have become a~brother to~jackals
\q and a companion of~ostriches.
\q1
\v 30 My skin blackens and~flakes~off,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 30:30 \ft Lit \fqa blackens away from me\f*
\q and my bones burn with~fever.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:30 \ft \+xt Ps 102:3; Lm 4:8; 5:10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 31 My lyre is~used for~mourning
\q and my flute for~the~sound of~weeping.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 30:31 \ft \+xt Is 24:8; Ezk 26:13; Mt 11:17\+xt*\f*
\b
\c 31
\q1
\v 1 I have made a~covenant with~my~eyes.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:1 \ft \+xt Pr 4:25; Is 33:15; 2Pt 2:14\+xt*\f*
\q How then could~I~look at~a~young~woman?~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 31:1 \ft Or \fqa a virgin\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:1 \ft \+xt Ex 22:6; Pr 17:24; Mt 5:28\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 2 For what portion~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:2 \ft \+xt Jb 20:29; 27:13; Ps 17:14\+xt*\f* would~I~have from~God~above,
\q or what inheritance from~the~Almighty on~high?
\q1
\v 3 Doesn’t disaster come to~the~unjust
\q and misfortune to~evildoers?
\q1
\v 4 Does he not see my~ways
\q and number all my~steps?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:4 \ft \+xt Jb 14:16; 34:21; Pr 5:21\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 5 If I have walked in~falsehood
\q or my foot has rushed to~deceit,
\q1
\v 6 let God weigh me on accurate~scales,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:6 \ft \+xt Jb 6:2; Dn 5:27; Mc 6:11\+xt*\f*
\q and he will recognize my~integrity.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:6 \ft \+xt Jb 2:3,9; 27:5; Pr 11:3\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 7 If my step has~turned from~the~way,
\q my heart has~followed my~eyes,
\q or impurity has~stained my~hands,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:7 \ft \+xt Nm 15:39; Jb 23:11; Ps 7:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 let someone else eat what~I~have~sown,
\q and let my crops be~uprooted.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:8 \ft \+xt Lv 26:16; Dt 28:30; Jb 20:18\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 9 If my heart has~gone astray~over~a woman
\q or I have lurked at~my neighbor’s~door,
\q1
\v 10 let my own wife grind~grain for~another~man,
\q and let other men sleep~with~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 31:10 \ft Lit \fqa men kneel down over\f*~her.
\q1
\v 11 For that would be a~disgrace;
\q it would be an~iniquity deserving~punishment.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:11 \ft \+xt Gn 38:24; Lv 20:10; Dt 22:22,24\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 12 For it is a fire that~consumes down to~Abaddon;
\q it would destroy my~entire~harvest.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:12 \ft \+xt Jb 26:6; 28:22; Pr 6:27–29\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 13 If I have dismissed the~case of~my~male or~female~servants
\q when they made a~complaint against~me,
\q1
\v 14 what could I do when~God stands~up to~judge?
\q How should I answer him when~he~calls~me to~account?
\q1
\v 15 Did not the one who~made~me in~the~womb also make~them?
\q Did not the same God form~us~both in~the~womb?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:15 \ft \+xt Ps 119:73; 139:13; Jr 1:5\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 16 If I have refused the~wishes of~the~poor
\q or let the~widow’s~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:16 \ft \+xt Jb 22:9; 24:3,21; 29:13\+xt*\f*~eyes go~blind,
\q1
\v 17 if I have eaten my~few~crumbs~alone
\q without letting the~fatherless eat~any~of~it~—
\q1
\v 18 for from my youth, I~raised~him as~his~father,
\q and since the day I~was~born~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 31:18 \ft Lit \fqa and from my mother’s womb\f* I~guided the~widow~—
\q1
\v 19 if I have seen anyone~dying for~lack of~clothing
\q or a needy person without~a~cloak,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:19 \ft \+xt Ex 22:26; Jb 22:6\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 20 if he~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 31:20 \ft Lit \fqa his loins\f* did not bless~me
\q while warming himself with~the~fleece from~my~sheep,
\q1
\v 21 if I ever cast my~vote~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 31:21 \ft Lit \fqa I raise my hand\f* against~a~fatherless~child
\q when I saw that I~had~support in~the~city~gate,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:21 \ft \+xt Jb 5:4; Pr 22:22; Is 29:21\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 22 then let my shoulder~blade fall from~my~back,
\q and my arm be~pulled from~its~socket.
\q1
\v 23 For disaster from~God terrifies~me,
\q and because of~his~majesty I~could~not~do these~things.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:23 \ft \+xt Jb 13:11; 22:10; 23:15\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 24 If I placed my~confidence in~gold
\q or called fine~gold my~trust,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:24 \ft \+xt Ps 52:7; Mt 6:19; Mk 10:24\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 25 if I have rejoiced because my~wealth is~great
\q or because my~own~hand has~acquired so~much,
\q1
\v 26 if I have gazed at~the~sun when~it~was~shining
\q or at the moon moving in~splendor,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:26 \ft \+xt Dt 4:19; 17:3; Ezk 8:16\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 27 so that my heart was~secretly~enticed
\q and I threw them a~kiss,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 31:27 \ft Lit \fqa and my hand kissed my mouth\f*
\q1
\v 28 this would also be an~iniquity deserving~punishment,
\q for I would have denied God above.
\b
\q1
\v 29 Have I rejoiced over my~enemy’s~distress,
\q or become excited when~trouble came his~way?
\q1
\v 30 I have not allowed my~mouth to~sin
\q by asking for~his~life with~a~curse.
\q1
\v 31 Haven’t the members of~my~household~said,
\q “Who is there who~has~not had~enough to~eat at~Job’s~table?~”
\q1
\v 32 No stranger had to~spend the~night on~the~street,
\q for I opened my~door to~the~traveler.
\q1
\v 33 Have I covered my~transgressions~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:33 \ft \+xt Jb 7:21; 22:5; 33:9\+xt*\f* as~others~do~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 31:33 \ft Or \fqa as Adam\f*
\q by hiding my~iniquity in~my~heart~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:33 \ft \+xt Ps 32:3–5; Pr 28:13; 1Jn 1:8–10\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 34 because I~greatly~feared the~crowds
\q and because the contempt of~the~clans terrified~me,
\q so I grew silent and~would~not go~outside?
\b
\q1
\v 35 If only I had~someone to~hear my~case!~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:35 \ft \+xt Jb 16:21; Ec 6:10; Is 45:9\+xt*\f*
\q Here is my signature; let~the~Almighty answer~me.
\q Let my Opponent compose his~indictment.
\q1
\v 36 I would surely carry~it on~my~shoulder
\q and wear it like~a~crown.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:36 \ft \+xt Pr 4:9; 12:4; 17:6\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 37 I would give him an~account of~all my~steps;
\q I would approach~him like~a~prince.
\b
\q1
\v 38 If my land cries~out against~me
\q and its furrows join in~weeping,
\q1
\v 39 if I have consumed its~produce without~payment
\q or shown contempt for~its~tenants,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 31:39 \ft Lit \fqa or caused the breath of its tenants to breathe out\f*
\q1
\v 40 then let thorns~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:40 \ft \+xt Gn 3:18; Is 34:13; Hs 9:6\+xt*\f* grow instead~of~wheat
\q and stinkweed~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 31:40 \ft \+xt Pr 24:31; Is 5:2; Hs 10:4\+xt*\f* instead~of~barley.
\b
\p The words of Job are concluded.
\c 32
\s1 Elihu’s Angry Response
\m
\v 1 So these three men quit answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:1 \ft \+xt Jb 10:7; 33:9; 34:5–6\+xt*\f*
\v 2 Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:2 \ft \+xt Gn 22:21; Jr 25:23\+xt*\f* from the family of Ram became angry. He was angry at Job because he had justified~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:2 \ft \+xt Jb 33:32; Jr 3:11; Ezk 16:51–52\+xt*\f* himself rather than God.
\v 3 He was also angry at Job’s three friends because they had failed to refute him and yet had condemned him.~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 32:3 \ft Alt Hb tradition reads \fqa condemned God\f*
\p
\v 4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job because they were all older than he.
\v 5 But when he saw that the three men could not answer Job, he became angry.
\p
\v 6 So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite replied:
\q I am young in~years,
\q while you are~old;
\q therefore I~was~timid and~afraid
\q to tell~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:6 \ft \+xt Jb 15:17; 36:2\+xt*\f* you what~I~know.
\q1
\v 7 I thought that~age should~speak
\q and maturity should~teach wisdom.
\q1
\v 8 But it is the~spirit in~a~person—
\q the breath~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:8 \ft \+xt Gn 2:7; Jb 33:4; Is 42:5\+xt*\f* from~the~Almighty—
\q that gives anyone understanding.
\q1
\v 9 It is not only the~old who~are~wise
\q or the elderly who~understand how~to~judge.
\q1
\v 10 Therefore I~say, “Listen~to~me.
\q I too will declare what~I~know.”
\q1
\v 11 Look, I waited for~your~conclusions;
\q I listened to~your~insights
\q as you sought for~words.
\q1
\v 12 I paid close attention to~you.
\q Yet no one proved Job wrong;
\q not one of you refuted his~arguments.
\q1
\v 13 So do not claim, “We~have~found~wisdom;
\q let God deal with~him, not~man.”
\q1
\v 14 But Job has not directed his~argument to~me,
\q and I will not respond to~him with~your~arguments.
\b
\q1
\v 15 Job’s friends are~dismayed and~can no~longer~answer;
\q words have left them.
\q1
\v 16 Should I continue to~wait now~that they~are~silent,
\q now that they stand~there and~no~longer~answer?
\q1
\v 17 I too will answer;~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 32:17 \ft Lit \fqa answer my part\f*
\q yes, I will tell what~I~know.
\q1
\v 18 For I am full of~words,
\q and my spirit~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 32:18 \ft Lit \fqa and the spirit of my belly\f* compels me to~speak.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:18 \ft \+xt Jb 19:3; 32:18; Ac 4:20\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 19 My heart~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 32:19 \ft Lit \fqa belly\f* is like~unvented~wine;
\q it is about to burst like~new~wineskins.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:19 \ft \+xt Jb 15:35; 37:1; Pr 20:27,30\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 20 I must speak so~that I~can~find~relief;
\q I must open my~lips and~respond.
\q1
\v 21 I will be partial to~no~one,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 32:21 \ft \+xt Dt 10:17; Jb 13:8; 34:19\+xt*\f*
\q and I will not give~anyone an~undeserved~title.
\q1
\v 22 For I do not know how to~give such~titles;
\q otherwise, my Maker would~remove~me in~an~instant.
\c 33
\s1 Elihu Confronts Job
\q1
\v 1 But now, Job, pay~attention to~my~speech,
\q and listen to all~my~words.
\q1
\v 2 I am going to~open my~mouth;
\q my tongue will~form~words on~my~palate.
\q1
\v 3 My words come from my~upright~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:3 \ft \+xt 1Kg 9:4; Ps 25:21; 119:7\+xt*\f*~heart,
\q and my lips speak with~sincerity what~they~know.
\q1
\v 4 The Spirit of~God has~made~me,
\q and the breath of~the~Almighty~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:4 \ft \+xt Jb 27:2; 32:8; 35:13\+xt*\f* gives~me~life.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:4 \ft \+xt Gn 2:7; Jb 27:3; Is 30:33\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 5 Refute me if~you~can.
\q Prepare~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:5 \ft \+xt Jb 23:4; 32:14; 37:19\+xt*\f* your case against~me; take~your~stand.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:5 \ft \+xt 1Sm 17:16; Ps 2:2; Jr 46:4,14\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 6 I am just like~you before~God;
\q I was also pinched~off from~a~piece~of~clay.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:6 \ft \+xt Jb 4:19; 10:9; 13:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 7 Fear~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:7 \ft \+xt Jb 20:25; Ps 55:4; 88:15\+xt*\f* of me should~not terrify~you;
\q no pressure from me should~weigh you down.
\b
\q1
\v 8 Surely you have spoken in~my~hearing,
\q and I have heard these~very~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 33:8 \ft Lit \fqa heard a sound of\f*~words:
\q1
\v 9 “I am pure, without~transgression;
\q I am clean and~have no~iniquity.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:9 \ft \+xt Jb 9:21; 11:4; 34:6\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 10 But he finds reasons to~oppose~me;
\q he regards me as his~enemy.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:10 \ft \+xt Jb 13:24; 19:11; Lm 2:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 11 He puts my~feet in~the~stocks;
\q he stands watch~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:11 \ft \+xt Jb 10:14; 14:16; Ps 130:3\+xt*\f* over all~my~paths.”
\b
\q1
\v 12 But I tell you that you are~wrong in~this~matter,
\q since God is greater than~man.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:12 \ft \+xt Jb 4:17; 9:2; 15:14\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 Why do you take~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:13 \ft \+xt Jb 9:3; 13:19; 40:2\+xt*\f*~him to~court
\q for not answering anything a~person~asks?~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 33:13 \ft Lit \fqa court, for he does not answer all his words\f*
\q1
\v 14 For God speaks time and~again,
\q but a person may~not notice~it.
\q1
\v 15 In a dream, a~vision~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:15 \ft \+xt Jb 4:13; 7:14; 20:8\+xt*\f* in~the~night,
\q when deep sleep comes over~people~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:15 \ft \+xt Gn 2:21; 15:12; Jb 4:13\+xt*\f*
\q as they slumber on~their~beds,
\q1
\v 16 he uncovers their~ears~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:16 \ft \+xt Jb 4:12; 13:1; 36:10,15\+xt*\f*
\q and terrifies them~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 33:16 \ft LXX; MT reads \fqa and seals\f* with~warnings,
\q1
\v 17 in order to turn a~person from~his~actions
\q and suppress the pride of~a~person.
\q1
\v 18 God spares his~soul from~the~Pit,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:18 \ft \+xt Jb 33:28,30; 36:16; Ps 30:9\+xt*\f*
\q his life from~crossing the~river of~death.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 33:18 \ft Or \fqa from perishing by the sword\f*
\q1
\v 19 A person may be disciplined on~his~bed~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:19 \ft \+xt Jb 7:13; Ps 41:3; Hs 7:14\+xt*\f* with~pain
\q and constant distress in~his~bones,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:19 \ft \+xt Jb 30:17; Ps 6:2; 38:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 20 so that he~detests~bread,
\q and his soul despises his favorite~food.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:20 \ft \+xt Jb 3:24; 6:7; Ps 102:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 21 His flesh wastes~away to~nothing,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 33:21 \ft Lit \fqa away from sight\f*
\q and his unseen bones stick~out.
\q1
\v 22 He draws near~to the~Pit,
\q and his life to~the~executioners.
\q1
\v 23 If there is an~angel~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:23 \ft \+xt Ex 23:20,23; Ps 34:7; Is 63:9\+xt*\f* on~his~side,
\q one mediator out~of a~thousand,
\q to tell a person what~is~right for~him~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 33:23 \ft Or \fqa to vouch for a person’s uprightness\f*
\q1
\v 24 and to be gracious to~him and~say,
\q “Spare him from~going~down to~the~Pit;
\q I have found a~ransom,”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:24 \ft \+xt Ex 30:12; Ps 49:7; Pr 21:18\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 25 then his flesh will~be~healthier~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 33:25 \ft Hb obscure\f* than in~his~youth,
\q and he will return to~the~days of~his~youthful~vigor.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:25 \ft \+xt Dt 34:7; 2Kg 5:14; Jb 20:11\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 26 He will pray to~God, and~God will~delight in~him.
\q That person will~see his~face~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:26 \ft \+xt Gn 33:10; Ps 11:7; 17:15\+xt*\f* with~a~shout of~joy,
\q and God will restore his~righteousness to~him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:26 \ft \+xt Ps 23:3; 51:12; 1Jn 1:9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 27 He will look at~men and~say,
\q “I have sinned and~perverted what~was~right;
\q yet I did not get what~I~deserved.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 33:27 \ft Lit \fqa and the same was not to me\f*
\q1
\v 28 He redeemed my~soul from~going~down to~the~Pit,
\q and I will continue to~see the~light.”
\q1
\v 29 God certainly does~all these~things
\q two or three times to~a~person
\q1
\v 30 in order to turn him back from~the~Pit,
\q so he may shine with~the~light of~life.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 33:30 \ft \+xt Ps 56:13; Jn 1:4,9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 31 Pay attention, Job, and~listen to~me.
\q Be quiet, and~I will~speak.
\q1
\v 32 But if you have something to~say,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 33:32 \ft Lit \fqa If there are words\f* answer~me;
\q speak, for I would like to~justify~you.
\q1
\v 33 If not, then~listen to~me;
\q be quiet, and~I~will~teach you~wisdom.
\b
\c 34
\m
\v 1 Then Elihu continued,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 34:1 \ft Lit \fqa answered\f* saying:
\q1
\v 2 Hear my words, you~wise~ones,
\q and listen to me, you~knowledgeable~ones.
\q1
\v 3 Doesn’t the ear test~words
\q as the palate tastes~food?
\q1
\v 4 Let us judge for~ourselves what~is~right;
\q let us decide together what~is~good.
\q1
\v 5 For Job has~declared, “I~am~righteous,
\q yet God has deprived me of~justice.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:5 \ft \+xt Jb 10:7; 27:2; 33:9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 6 Would I lie about~my~case?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:6 \ft \+xt Jb 6:28; 24:25; 27:4\+xt*\f*
\q My wound~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 34:6 \ft Lit \fqa arrow\f* is~incurable,
\q though I am without~transgression.”
\q1
\v 7 What man is like~Job?
\q He drinks derision~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:7 \ft \+xt Jb 15:16; Pr 19:28\+xt*\f* like~water.
\q1
\v 8 He keeps company with~evildoers
\q and walks with~wicked~men.
\q1
\v 9 For he has said, “A~man~gains~nothing
\q when he becomes God’s~friend.”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:9 \ft \+xt Ex 5:2; Jb 21:15; Mal 3:14\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 10 Therefore listen to~me, you~men of~understanding.
\q It is impossible for~God to~do~wrong,
\q and for the~Almighty to~act~unjustly.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:10 \ft \+xt Dt 32:4; Ps 92:15; Rm 9:14\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 11 For he repays~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:11 \ft \+xt Dt 7:10; Jb 21:31; Is 59:18\+xt*\f* a~person according~to his~deeds,
\q and he gives him what his conduct deserves.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 34:11 \ft Lit \fqa and like a path of a man, he causes him to find\f*
\q1
\v 12 Indeed, it is true that~God does~not act~wickedly
\q and the Almighty does~not pervert~justice.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:12 \ft \+xt 2Ch 19:6; Jb 8:3; Ps 9:16\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 Who gave him authority over~the~earth?
\q Who put him in~charge~of the~entire~world?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:13 \ft \+xt Jb 38:4; Ps 50:12; Is 40:12–14\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 14 If he put his~mind to~it
\q and withdrew the~spirit~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:14 \ft \+xt Ps 104:29; Ec 3:19; 12:7\+xt*\f* and~breath he~gave,
\q1
\v 15 every living thing would~perish~together
\q and mankind would~return to~the~dust.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:15 \ft \+xt Gn 2:7; Jb 4:19; 10:9\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 16 If you have understanding, hear~this;
\q listen to what~I~have to~say.
\q1
\v 17 Could one who~hates justice govern~the~world?
\q Will you condemn the~mighty Righteous~One,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:17 \ft \+xt Gn 18:25; 2Sm 23:3; Rm 3:5\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 18 who says to~a~king, “Worthless~man!~”
\q and to~nobles, “Wicked~men!~”?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:18 \ft \+xt Ex 22:28; Jb 12:21; Ps 107:40\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 19 God is not partial~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:19 \ft \+xt Dt 10:17; Jb 13:8; 32:21\+xt*\f* to~princes
\q and does not favor the~rich over~the~poor,
\q for they are all the~work of~his~hands.
\q1
\v 20 They die suddenly in~the~middle of~the~night;
\q people shudder, then~pass~away.
\q Even the mighty are~removed without~effort.
\b
\q1
\v 21 For his eyes watch~over a~man’s~ways,
\q and he observes all~his~steps.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:21 \ft \+xt Jb 14:16; 31:4; Pr 5:21\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 22 There is no~darkness, no~deep~darkness,
\q where evildoers can~hide.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:22 \ft \+xt Ps 139:12; Am 9:2–3; Heb 4:13\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 23 God does not need~to~examine a~person~further,
\q that one should~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 34:23 \ft Some emend to \fqa God has not appointed a time for man to\f* approach~him in~court.
\q1
\v 24 He shatters the~mighty without~an~investigation
\q and sets others in~their~place.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:24 \ft \+xt Jb 12:19; Ps 2:9; Dn 2:21\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 25 Therefore, he recognizes their~deeds~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:25 \ft \+xt Jb 11:11; Ps 10:14\+xt*\f*
\q and overthrows them by~night, and~they are~crushed.
\q1
\v 26 In full view of~the~public,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 34:26 \ft Lit \fqa In a place of spectators\f*
\q he strikes them for~their~wickedness,
\q1
\v 27 because they turned aside from~following~him
\q and did not understand any of~his~ways
\q1
\v 28 but caused the~poor to~cry~out to~him,
\q and he heard the~outcry of~the~needy.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:28 \ft \+xt Ex 3:7; 22:23; Jms 5:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 29 But when God is~silent, who~can~declare him~guilty?
\q When he hides his~face, who~can see~him?
\q Yet he watches over both individuals and~nations,
\q1
\v 30 so that godless men should~not~rule
\q or ensnare the~people.
\b
\q1
\v 31 Suppose someone says to~God,
\q “I have endured my~punishment;
\q I will no longer act~wickedly.
\q1
\v 32 Teach me what I~cannot~see;
\q if I have done wrong, I~won’t do~it~again.”
\q1
\v 33 Should God repay you on~your~terms
\q when you have rejected~his?
\q You must choose, not~I!
\q So declare what~you~know.
\q1
\v 34 Reasonable men will~say to~me,
\q along with the~wise~men who~hear~me,
\q1
\v 35 “Job speaks without~knowledge;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:35 \ft \+xt Jb 35:16; 38:2; 42:3\+xt*\f*
\q his words are without~insight.”
\q1
\v 36 If only Job were~tested to~the~limit,
\q because his answers are like~those of~wicked~men.
\q1
\v 37 For he adds rebellion to~his~sin;
\q he scornfully claps~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:37 \ft \+xt Nm 24:10; Jb 27:23; Lm 2:15\+xt*\f* in~our~presence,
\q while multiplying~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 34:37 \ft \+xt Jb 16:4; 35:16; Ezk 35:13\+xt*\f* his~words against~God.
\b
\c 35
\m
\v 1 Then Elihu continued, saying:
\q1
\v 2 Do you think it~is~just when~you~say,
\q “I am righteous before~God”?
\q1
\v 3 For you ask, “What~does it~profit~you,~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 35:3 \ft Some emend to \fqa me\f*
\q and what benefit comes to~me, if~I~do~not~sin?~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:3 \ft \+xt Jb 9:29; 21:15; 34:9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 I will answer you
\q and your friends with~you.
\q1
\v 5 Look at~the~heavens and~see;
\q gaze at the clouds high above~you.
\q1
\v 6 If you sin, how~does~it affect~God?
\q If you multiply your~transgressions, what~does it do to~him?
\q1
\v 7 If you are righteous, what~do~you give~him,
\q or what does he receive from~your~hand?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:7 \ft \+xt Jb 22:3; 41:11; Rm 11:35\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 Your wickedness affects a~person like~yourself,
\q and your righteousness, a son~of~man.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 35:8 \ft Or \fqa a mere mortal\f*
\q1
\v 9 People cry out because~of severe~oppression;
\q they shout for help because~of the~power of~the~mighty.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:9 \ft \+xt Ex 2:23; Jb 24:12; 34:28\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 10 But no one asks, “Where~is~God my~Maker,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:10 \ft \+xt Dt 32:6; Is 51:13; Jr 2:8\+xt*\f*
\q who provides us with~songs in~the~night,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:10 \ft \+xt Ps 42:8; 77:6; Ac 16:25\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 11 who gives us more~understanding than~the~animals of~the~earth
\q and makes us wiser than~the~birds of~the~sky?~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:11 \ft \+xt Jb 12:7; Mt 6:26\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 12 There they cry out, but~he~does~not~answer,
\q because of the~pride of~evil~people.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:12 \ft \+xt Pr 1:28; Is 1:15; Zch 7:13\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 13 Indeed, God does not listen to~empty~cries,
\q and the Almighty does~not take~note of~it~—
\q1
\v 14 how much less when~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 35:14 \ft Or \fqa how then can\f*~you~complain~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 35:14 \ft Lit \fqa say\f*
\q that you do not see~him,
\q that your case~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:14 \ft \+xt Jb 13:18; 23:4; 31:13\+xt*\f* is before~him
\q and you are waiting~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:14 \ft \+xt Jb 6:8; 13:13; 14:14\+xt*\f* for~him.
\q1
\v 15 But now, because God’s~anger does~not~punish
\q and he does not pay~attention to~transgression,~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 35:15 \ft LXX, Vg; MT reads \fqa folly\ft , or \fqa arrogance\ft ; Hb obscure\f*
\q1
\v 16 Job opens his~mouth in~vain
\q and multiplies words without~knowledge.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 35:16 \ft \+xt Jb 15:2; 21:22; 34:35\+xt*\f*
\b
\c 36
\m
\v 1 Then Elihu continued, saying:
\q1
\v 2 Be patient with me a~little~longer, and~I~will inform~you,
\q for there is still more to~be~said on~God’s~behalf.
\q1
\v 3 I will get my~knowledge from a distant~place
\q and ascribe justice to~my~Maker.
\q1
\v 4 Indeed, my words are not~false;
\q one who has complete knowledge is with~you.
\b
\q1
\v 5 Yes, God is mighty, but~he~despises no~one;
\q he understands all~things.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 36:5 \ft Lit \fqa he is mighty in strength of heart\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:5 \ft \+xt Jb 9:4; 12:13; 38:36\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 6 He does not keep the~wicked~alive,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:6 \ft \+xt Gn 18:25; Jb 8:20; 2Pt 2:9\+xt*\f*
\q but he gives justice to~the~oppressed.
\q1
\v 7 He does not withdraw his~gaze from~the~righteous,
\q but he seats them forever with~enthroned~kings,
\q and they are~exalted.
\b
\q1
\v 8 If people are~bound with~chains
\q and trapped by~the~cords of~affliction,
\q1
\v 9 God tells them what~they have~done
\q and how arrogantly they~have~transgressed.
\q1
\v 10 He opens their~ears~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:10 \ft \+xt Jb 4:12; 13:1; 33:16\+xt*\f* to~correction
\q and tells them~to~repent from~iniquity.
\q1
\v 11 If they listen and serve him,
\q they will end their~days in~prosperity
\q and their years in~happiness.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:11 \ft \+xt Jb 21:13; 22:2; Is 1:19\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 12 But if they do not listen,
\q they will cross the~river of~death~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 36:12 \ft Or \fqa will perish by the sword\f*
\q and die without~knowledge.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:12 \ft \+xt Jb 4:21; 33:18; Hs 4:6\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 13 Those who have a~godless~heart harbor~anger;
\q even when God binds them, they~do~not~cry for~help.
\q1
\v 14 They die in~their~youth;
\q their life ends among male~cult~prostitutes.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:14 \ft \+xt Dt 23:17; 1Kg 14:24; 22:46\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 15 God rescues the~afflicted by their~affliction;
\q he instructs them by~their~torment.
\b
\q1
\v 16 Indeed, he lured you from~the~jaws~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 36:16 \ft Lit \fqa from a mouth of narrowness\f* of~distress
\q to a spacious and~unconfined~place.
\q Your table was~spread with~choice~food.
\q1
\v 17 Yet now you are~obsessed with~the~judgment due the~wicked;
\q judgment and~justice have~seized~you.
\q1
\v 18 Be careful that no~one~lures~you with~riches;~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 36:18 \ft Or \fqa you into mockery\f*
\q do not let a~large~ransom~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 36:18 \ft Or \fqa bribe\f* lead~you~astray.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:18 \ft \+xt 1Sm 12:3; Ps 26:10; Am 5:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 19 Can your wealth~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 36:19 \ft Or \fqa cry for help\f* or~all your~physical~exertion
\q keep you from~distress?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:19 \ft \+xt 1Sm 22:2; Jb 15:24; Ps 107:6,13,19,28\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 20 Do not long for~the~night
\q when nations will~disappear from~their~places.
\q1
\v 21 Be careful that you~do~not~turn to~iniquity,
\q for that is why you have~been~tested by~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 36:21 \ft Or \fqa for you have preferred this to\f*~affliction.
\b
\q1
\v 22 Look, God shows himself exalted by~his~power.
\q Who is a teacher like~him?
\q1
\v 23 Who has appointed his~way for~him,
\q and who has declared, “You~have done~wrong”?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:23 \ft \+xt Jb 34:10,13; Is 40:13–14; Rm 11:34\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 24 Remember that you should~praise his~work,
\q which people have~sung~about.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:24 \ft \+xt Ps 92:5; 104:33; Rv 15:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 25 All mankind has seen it;
\q people have looked at~it from~a~distance.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:25 \ft \+xt Ps 19:3; Rm 1:19–20; Heb 11:13\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 26 Yes, God is exalted beyond~our~knowledge;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:26 \ft \+xt Jb 9:10; 37:5,23; Ec 8:17\+xt*\f*
\q the number of~his~years cannot~be~counted.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:26 \ft \+xt Ps 90:2; 102:24,27; Heb 1:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 27 For he makes waterdrops evaporate;~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 36:27 \ft Lit \fqa he draws in waterdrops\f*
\q they distill the~rain into~its~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 36:27 \ft Or \fqa his\f*~mist,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:27 \ft \+xt Gn 2:6; Jb 38:28; Ps 147:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 28 which the~clouds pour~out
\q and shower abundantly on~mankind.
\q1
\v 29 Can anyone understand how~the~clouds spread~out
\q or how the thunder roars from~God’s~pavilion?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:29 \ft \+xt Jb 26:14; 37:16; Ps 105:39\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 30 See how he spreads his~lightning~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:30 \ft \+xt 2Sm 22:15; Jb 38:28; Ps 18:14\+xt*\f* around~him
\q and covers the~depths of~the~sea.
\q1
\v 31 For he judges the~nations with~these;
\q he gives food in~abundance.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 36:31 \ft \+xt Jb 37:13; Ps 136:25; Ac 14:17\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 32 He covers his~hands with~lightning
\q and commands it to~hit its~mark.
\q1
\v 33 The~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 36:33 \ft Lit \fqa His\ft , or \fqa Its\f* thunder declares his~presence;~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 36:33 \ft Lit \fqa thunder announces concerning him \ft or \fqa it\f*
\q the cattle also, the~approaching~storm.
\b
\c 37
\q1
\v 1 My heart~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:1 \ft \+xt Jb 15:35; 32:19; Pr 20:27,30\+xt*\f* pounds at~this
\q and leaps from~my~chest.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 37:1 \ft Lit \fqa from its place\f*
\q1
\v 2 Just listen to his~thunderous~voice
\q and the rumbling that~comes from~his~mouth.
\q1
\v 3 He lets it loose beneath the~entire~sky;
\q his lightning to~the~ends~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:3 \ft \+xt Jb 38:13; Is 11:12; Ezk 7:2\+xt*\f* of~the~earth.
\b
\q1
\v 4 Then there comes a~roaring~sound;
\q God thunders~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:4 \ft \+xt Jb 40:9; Ps 18:3; 29:3\+xt*\f* with~his~majestic~voice.
\q He does not restrain the~lightning
\q when his rumbling voice is~heard.
\q1
\v 5 God thunders wondrously with~his~voice;
\q he does great things that we~cannot~comprehend.
\q1
\v 6 For he says to~the~snow,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:6 \ft \+xt Jb 6:16; 24:19; 38:22\+xt*\f* “Fall~to~the~earth,”
\q and the torrential rains, his~mighty~torrential~rains,
\q1
\v 7 serve as his sign to~all~mankind,
\q so that all men may~know his~work.
\q1
\v 8 The wild animals enter their~lairs
\q and stay in~their~dens.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:8 \ft \+xt Jb 38:40; Ps 104:22; Am 3:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 9 The windstorm comes from~its~chamber,
\q and the cold from~the~driving~north~winds.
\q1
\v 10 Ice is formed by~the~breath of~God,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:10 \ft \+xt 2Sm 22:21; Jb 4:9; Is 30:33\+xt*\f*
\q and watery expanses are~frozen.
\q1
\v 11 He saturates clouds with~moisture;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:11 \ft \+xt Jb 26:8; 36:29; 38:9\+xt*\f*
\q he scatters his~lightning through~them.
\q1
\v 12 They swirl about,
\q turning round and~round at~his~direction,
\q accomplishing everything he~commands~them
\q over the surface of~the~inhabited~world.
\q1
\v 13 He causes this to~happen for~punishment,
\q for his land, or~for~his~faithful~love.
\b
\q1
\v 14 Listen to this, Job.
\q Stop and consider God’s~wonders.
\q1
\v 15 Do you know how~God~directs his~clouds
\q or makes their lightning flash?
\q1
\v 16 Do you understand how~the~clouds~float,
\q those wonderful works of~him who~has perfect~knowledge?
\q1
\v 17 You whose clothes get~hot
\q when the south wind brings~calm to~the~land,
\q1
\v 18 can you help God spread~out the~skies
\q as hard as a~cast~metal~mirror?
\q1
\v 19 Teach us what we~should~say to~him;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:19 \ft \+xt Jb 9:3,14; 40:2; Jms 1:5\+xt*\f*
\q we cannot prepare our~case because~of our~darkness.
\q1
\v 20 Should he be told that I~want to~speak?
\q Can a man speak when~he~is~confused?
\q1
\v 21 Now no one can even~look at~the~sun
\q after a~wind has swept~through and~cleared the~sky.
\q1
\v 22 Out of the north he~comes, shrouded in~a~golden~glow;
\q awesome~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:22 \ft \+xt Ex 15:11; Dt 7:21; Hab 3:2\+xt*\f* majesty surrounds~him.
\q1
\v 23 The Almighty~#—~#we~cannot reach~him~—
\q he is exalted in~power!
\q He will not~violate justice and abundant~righteousness,
\q1
\v 24 therefore, men fear him.
\q He does not look favorably on~any who~are~wise~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 37:24 \ft \+xt Pr 3:7; 26:5,12,16; 28:11\+xt*\f* in~heart.
\c 38
\s1 The \nd Lord\nd* Speaks
\m
\v 1 Then the \nd Lord\nd* answered Job from the whirlwind.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:1 \ft \+xt 2Kg 2:11; Jb 40:6; Ezk 13:11,13\+xt*\f* He said:
\q1
\v 2 Who is this who~obscures my~counsel
\q with~ignorant~words?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:2 \ft \+xt Jb 34:35; 35:16; 42:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 3 Get ready to~answer~me like~a~man;
\q when I question~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:3 \ft \+xt 2Sm 11:7; Jb 40:7; 42:4\+xt*\f* you, you~will~inform~me.
\q1
\v 4 Where were you when~I~established~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:4 \ft \+xt Ps 89:11; 102:25; 104:5\+xt*\f* the~earth?
\q Tell me, if~you~have~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:4 \ft Lit \fqa know\f* understanding.
\q1
\v 5 Who fixed its~dimensions? Certainly~you~know!
\q Who stretched a~measuring~line across~it?
\q1
\v 6 What supports its~foundations?
\q Or who~laid its~cornerstone
\q1
\v 7 while the~morning~stars sang~together
\q and all the~sons of~God~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:7 \ft \+xt Gn 6:2,4; Jb 1:6; 2:1\+xt*\f* shouted for~joy?
\b
\q1
\v 8 Who enclosed the~sea behind~doors
\q when it burst from~the~womb,
\q1
\v 9 when I made the~clouds its~garment
\q and total darkness its~blanket,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:9 \ft Lit \fqa swaddling clothes\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:9 \ft \+xt 2Sm 22:10; Jb 22:13; 37:11\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 10 when I determined its~boundaries~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:10 \ft Lit \fqa I broke my statute on it\f*
\q and put its bars and~doors in~place,
\q1
\v 11 when I declared, “You~may~come this~far, but~no~farther;
\q your proud waves stop~here”?
\b
\q1
\v 12 Have you ever in~your~life commanded the~morning
\q or assigned the~dawn its~place,
\q1
\v 13 so it~may~seize the~edges of~the~earth
\q and shake the~wicked out~of~it?
\q1
\v 14 The earth is~changed as~clay is by~a~seal;
\q its hills stand~out like~the~folds~of a~garment.
\q1
\v 15 Light~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:15 \ft Lit \fqa Their light\f* is~withheld from~the~wicked,
\q and the arm raised in~violence is~broken.
\b
\q1
\v 16 Have you traveled to~the~sources of~the~sea
\q or walked in~the~depths of~the~oceans?
\q1
\v 17 Have the gates~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:17 \ft \+xt Ps 9:13; 107:18; Is 38:10\+xt*\f* of~death been~revealed to~you?
\q Have you seen the~gates of~deep~darkness?
\q1
\v 18 Have you comprehended the~extent of~the~earth?
\q Tell me, if~you~know all~this.
\b
\q1
\v 19 Where is the~road to~the~home of~light?
\q Do you know where~darkness~lives,
\q1
\v 20 so you can lead it back to~its~border?
\q Are you familiar with~the~paths to~its~home?
\q1
\v 21 Don’t you know? You~were already~born;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:21 \ft \+xt Jb 15:7; Ps 90:2; Pr 8:25\+xt*\f*
\q you have lived so~long!~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:21 \ft Lit \fqa born; the number of your days is great\f*
\q1
\v 22 Have you entered the~place where~the~snow is~stored?
\q Or have you seen the~storehouses of~hail,~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:22 \ft \+xt Ex 9:18; Ps 105:32; Is 28:17\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 23 which I hold in~reserve for~times of~trouble,
\q for the day of~warfare and~battle?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:23 \ft \+xt Jos 10:11; Is 30:30; Rv 16:21\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 24 What road leads to~the~place where~light is~dispersed?~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:24 \ft Or \fqa where lightning is distributed\f*
\q Where is the source of the~east~wind that~spreads across~the~earth?
\b
\q1
\v 25 Who cuts a~channel for~the~flooding~rain
\q or clears the~way for~lightning,
\q1
\v 26 to bring rain on~an~uninhabited~land,
\q on a desert with~no~human~life,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:26 \ft Lit \fqa no man in it\f*
\q1
\v 27 to satisfy the~parched~wasteland
\q and cause the~grass to~sprout?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:27 \ft \+xt Gn 1:11; 2Sm 23:4; Ps 107:35\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 28 Does the rain have a~father?
\q Who fathered the~drops of~dew?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:28 \ft \+xt Jb 5:10; Ps 147:8; Jr 14:22\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 29 Whose womb did the~ice come~from?
\q Who gave birth to~the~frost of~heaven
\q1
\v 30 when water becomes as~hard as~stone,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:30 \ft Lit \fqa water hides itself as the stone\f*
\q and the surface of~the~watery~depths is~frozen?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:29–30 \ft \+xt Jb 37:10; Ps 147:16–17\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 31 Can you fasten the~chains of~the~Pleiades
\q or loosen the~belt of~Orion?
\q1
\v 32 Can you bring out the~constellations~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:32 \ft Or \fqa Mazzaroth\ft ; Hb obscure\f* in~their~season
\q and lead the~Bear~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:32 \ft Or \fqa lead Aldebaran\f* and~her~cubs?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:31–32 \ft \+xt Jb 9:9; Is 40:26; Am 5:8\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 33 Do you know the~laws~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:33 \ft \+xt Jr 31:35; 33:25\+xt*\f* of~heaven?
\q Can you impose its~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:33 \ft Or \fqa God’s\f*~authority on~earth?
\q1
\v 34 Can you command~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:34 \ft Lit \fqa lift up your voice to\f* the~clouds
\q so that a flood of~water covers~you?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:34 \ft \+xt Jb 22:11; Ps 69:1–2; Lm 3:54\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 35 Can you send out lightning~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:35 \ft \+xt Ex 19:16; Ps 18:14; 97:4\+xt*\f*~bolts, and~they~go?
\q Do they report to~you, “Here~we~are”?
\b
\q1
\v 36 Who put wisdom~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:36 \ft \+xt Jb 28:12,18,20; Ps 51:6; Ec 2:26\+xt*\f* in~the~heart~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 38:36 \ft Or \fqa the inner self\ft ; Ps 51:6\f*
\q or gave the~mind~understanding?
\q1
\v 37 Who has the wisdom to~number the~clouds?
\q Or who can tilt the~water~jars of~heaven
\q1
\v 38 when the dust hardens like~cast~metal
\q and the clods of~dirt stick~together?
\b
\q1
\v 39 Can you hunt prey for~a~lioness
\q or satisfy the~appetite of~young~lions~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:39 \ft \+xt Ps 104:21; 145:15–16\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 40 when they~crouch in~their~dens
\q and lie in wait within~their~lairs?
\q1
\v 41 Who provides the~raven’s~food~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 38:41 \ft \+xt 1Kg 17:4,6; Ps 147:9; Lk 12:24\+xt*\f*
\q when its young cry~out to~God
\q and wander about for~lack of~food?
\b
\c 39
\q1
\v 1 Do you know when mountain~goats give~birth?
\q Have you watched the~deer in~labor?
\q1
\v 2 Can you count the~months they~are~pregnant~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 39:2 \ft Lit \fqa months they fulfill\f*
\q so you can know the~time they~give~birth?
\q1
\v 3 They crouch down to~give~birth to~their~young;
\q they deliver their~newborn.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 39:3 \ft Or \fqa they send away their labor pains\f*
\q1
\v 4 Their offspring are~healthy and~grow~up in~the~open~field.
\q They leave and~do~not~return.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 39:4 \ft Lit \fqa return to them\f*
\b
\q1
\v 5 Who set the~wild~donkey free?
\q Who released the~swift~donkey from~its~harness?
\q1
\v 6 I made the~desert~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:6 \ft \+xt Jb 24:5; 38:26; Jr 2:24\+xt*\f* its~home,
\q and the salty~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:6 \ft \+xt Dt 29:23; Ps 107:34; Jr 17:6\+xt*\f* wasteland its~dwelling.
\q1
\v 7 It scoffs at~the~noise of~the~village
\q and never hears the~shouts of~a~driver.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:7 \ft \+xt Ex 3:7; 5:10,13–14; Jb 3:18\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 8 It roams the~mountains for~its~pastureland,
\q searching for~anything~green.
\q1
\v 9 Would the~wild~ox be~willing to~serve~you?
\q Would it spend the~night by~your~feeding~trough?
\q1
\v 10 Can you hold the~wild~ox~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:10 \ft \+xt Nm 23:22; 24:8; Dt 33:17\+xt*\f* to~a~furrow by~its~harness?
\q Will it plow the~valleys behind~you?
\q1
\v 11 Can you depend on~it because its~strength is~great?
\q Would you leave it to~do your~hard~work?
\q1
\v 12 Can you trust the~wild~ox to~harvest your~grain
\q and bring it to~your~threshing~floor?
\b
\q1
\v 13 The wings of~the~ostrich flap~joyfully,
\q but are her~feathers and~plumage like~the~stork’s?~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 39:13 \ft Hb obscure\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:13 \ft \+xt Ps 104:17; Jr 8:7; Zch 5:9\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 14 She abandons her~eggs on~the~ground
\q and lets them be~warmed in~the~sand.
\q1
\v 15 She forgets that~a~foot may~crush~them
\q or that some~wild~animal may~trample~them.
\q1
\v 16 She treats her~young~harshly, as~if they~were~not her~own,
\q with no fear that her~labor may~have~been in~vain.
\q1
\v 17 For God has deprived her of~wisdom;
\q he has not endowed her with~understanding.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:17 \ft \+xt Jb 35:11; 38:36\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 18 When she proudly~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 39:18 \ft Hb obscure\f* spreads her~wings,
\q she laughs at~the~horse and~its~rider.
\b
\q1
\v 19 Do you give strength to~the~horse?
\q Do you adorn his~neck with~a~mane?~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 39:19 \ft Hb obscure\f*
\q1
\v 20 Do you make him leap like~a~locust?
\q His proud snorting fills~one~with~terror.
\q1
\v 21 He paws~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 39:21 \ft LXX, Syr; MT reads \fqa They dig\f* in~the~valley and~rejoices in~his~strength;
\q he charges into~battle.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 39:21 \ft Lit \fqa he goes out to meet the weaponry\f*
\q1
\v 22 He laughs at fear, since~he~is~afraid of~nothing;
\q he does not run from~the~sword.
\q1
\v 23 A quiver rattles at~his~side,
\q along with a~flashing~spear and~a~javelin.
\q1
\v 24 He charges ahead~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 39:24 \ft Lit \fqa He swallows the ground\f* with~trembling~rage;
\q he cannot stand~still at~the~sound of the ram’s~horn.
\q1
\v 25 When the ram’s~horn blasts, he~snorts~defiantly.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 39:25 \ft Lit \fqa he says, “Aha!~”\f*
\q He smells the~battle from~a~distance;
\q he hears the~officers’~shouts and~the~battle~cry.
\b
\q1
\v 26 Does the hawk take~flight by~your~understanding
\q and spread its~wings to~the~south?
\q1
\v 27 Does the~eagle~soar at~your~command
\q and make its~nest~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:27 \ft \+xt Jr 49:16; Ob 4; Hab 2:9\+xt*\f* on~high?
\q1
\v 28 It lives on~a~cliff where~it~spends the~night;
\q its stronghold is on~a~rocky~crag.
\q1
\v 29 From there it~searches for~prey;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:29 \ft \+xt Jb 9:26; Hab 1:8\+xt*\f*
\q its eyes penetrate the~distance.
\q1
\v 30 Its brood gulps~down~blood,
\q and where the slain are, it~is~there.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 39:30 \ft \+xt Ezk 39:17; Mt 24:28; Lk 17:37\+xt*\f*
\b
\c 40
\m
\v 1 The \nd Lord\nd* answered Job:
\q1
\v 2 Will the one who~contends with~the~Almighty correct~him?
\q Let him who argues with~God give~an~answer.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 40:2 \ft Lit \fqa God respond to it\f*
\b
\p
\v 3 Then Job answered the \nd Lord\nd*:
\q1
\v 4 I am so insignificant. How~can~I answer~you?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:4 \ft \+xt Ezr 9:6; Jb 29:9; 42:6\+xt*\f*
\q I place my~hand over~my~mouth.
\q1
\v 5 I have spoken once, and~I~will~not~reply;
\q twice, but~now I~can~add~nothing.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:5 \ft \+xt Jb 9:3,15; 33:14; Ps 62:11\+xt*\f*
\b
\p
\v 6 Then the \nd Lord\nd* answered Job from the whirlwind:~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:6 \ft \+xt Jb 38:1; Jr 30:23; Ezk 13:11,13\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 7 Get ready to~answer~me like~a~man;
\q when I question~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:7 \ft \+xt 2Sm 11:7; Jb 38:3; 42:4\+xt*\f* you, you~will inform~me.
\q1
\v 8 Would you really challenge my~justice?
\q Would you declare me guilty~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:8 \ft \+xt Jb 9:20,28; Ps 37:33; Is 50:9\+xt*\f* to~justify~yourself?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:8 \ft \+xt Jb 32:2; Ps 51:4; Rm 3:4\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 9 Do you have an~arm like~God’s?
\q Can you thunder with~a~voice like~his?
\b
\q1
\v 10 Adorn yourself with~majesty~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:10 \ft \+xt Ps 93:1; 96:6; 104:1\+xt*\f* and~splendor,
\q and clothe yourself with~honor and~glory.
\q1
\v 11 Pour out your raging anger;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:11 \ft \+xt Jb 14:13; 19:11; 21:17\+xt*\f*
\q look on every~proud~person and~humiliate~him.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:11 \ft \+xt Is 2:11; Ezk 21:26; Dn 4:37\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 12 Look on every~proud~person and~humble~him;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:12 \ft \+xt Ps 18:27; Is 13:11; 63:3\+xt*\f*
\q trample the~wicked where~they~stand.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 40:12 \ft Lit \fqa wicked in their place\f*
\q1
\v 13 Hide them together in~the~dust;
\q imprison them in~the~grave.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 40:13 \ft Lit \fqa together; bind their faces in the hidden place\f*
\q1
\v 14 Then I will confess to~you
\q that your own right hand~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:14 \ft \+xt Ps 17:7; 20:6; 108:6\+xt*\f* can~deliver~you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:14 \ft \+xt Ps 3:8; 49:7; 62:2\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 15 Look at~Behemoth,
\q which I made along~with~you.
\q He eats grass like~cattle.
\q1
\v 16 Look at~the~strength of~his~back~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 40:16 \ft Or \fqa waist\f*
\q and the power in~the~muscles of~his~belly.
\q1
\v 17 He stiffens his~tail like~a~cedar~tree;
\q the tendons of~his~thighs are~woven firmly~together.
\q1
\v 18 His bones are bronze~tubes;
\q his limbs are like~iron~rods.
\q1
\v 19 He is the~foremost of~God’s~works;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 40:19 \ft \+xt Jb 26:14; Pr 8:22\+xt*\f*
\q only his Maker can~draw the~sword against~him.
\q1
\v 20 The hills yield food for~him,
\q while all sorts of wild~animals play~there.
\q1
\v 21 He lies under~the~lotus~plants,
\q hiding in the protection~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 40:21 \ft Lit \fqa plants, in the hiding place\f* of~marshy~reeds.
\q1
\v 22 Lotus plants cover him with~their~shade;
\q the willows by~the~brook surround~him.
\q1
\v 23 Though the river rages, Behemoth~is~unafraid;
\q he remains confident, even~if the~Jordan~surges~up to~his~mouth.
\q1
\v 24 Can anyone capture him while~he~looks~on,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 40:24 \ft Lit \fqa capture it in its eyes\f*
\q or pierce his~nose with~snares?
\b
\c 41
\q1
\v 1 Can you pull in Leviathan~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:1 \ft \+xt Jb 3:8; Ps 104:26; Is 27:1\+xt*\f* with~a~hook~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:1 \ft \+xt Is 19:8; Hab 1:15\+xt*\f*
\q or tie his tongue down with~a~rope?
\q1
\v 2 Can you put a~cord~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 41:2 \ft Lit \fqa reed\f* through~his~nose
\q or pierce his~jaw with~a~hook?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:2 \ft \+xt 2Kg 19:28; Jb 40:24; Is 37:29\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 3 Will he beg you for~mercy
\q or speak softly to~you?
\q1
\v 4 Will he make a~covenant with~you
\q so that you can take him as~a~slave~forever?~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:4 \ft \+xt Ex 21:6; Dt 15:17; 1Sm 27:12\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 5 Can you play with~him like~a~bird
\q or put him on~a~leash~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 41:5 \ft Lit \fqa or bind him\f* for~your~girls?
\q1
\v 6 Will traders bargain for~him
\q or divide him among~the~merchants?
\q1
\v 7 Can you fill his~hide with~harpoons
\q or his head with~fishing~spears?
\q1
\v 8 Lay a~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 41:8 \ft Lit \fqa your\f* hand on~him.
\q You will remember the~battle
\q and never repeat it!
\q1
\v 9 Any hope of capturing him proves~false.
\q Does a person not collapse at~the~very~sight of~him?
\q1
\v 10 No one is ferocious enough to~rouse~Leviathan;~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:10 \ft \+xt Jb 3:8; Jr 50:44\+xt*\f*
\q who then can stand against~me?
\q1
\v 11 Who confronted me, that~I should~repay~him?
\q Everything under heaven belongs to~me.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:11 \ft \+xt Ps 24:1; Rm 11:35; 1Co 10:26\+xt*\f*
\b
\q1
\v 12 I cannot be silent about~his~limbs,
\q his power, and~his~graceful~proportions.
\q1
\v 13 Who can strip off his~outer~covering?
\q Who can penetrate his~double~layer of~armor?~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 41:13 \ft LXX; MT reads \fqa double bridle\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:13 \ft \+xt Jr 46:4; 51:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 14 Who can open his~jaws,~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 41:14 \ft Lit \fqa open the doors of his face\f*
\q surrounded by those~terrifying~teeth?
\q1
\v 15 His pride is in~his~rows of~scales,
\q closely sealed together.
\q1
\v 16 One scale is so~close to~another~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 41:16 \ft Lit \fqa One by one they approach\f*
\q that no air can pass between~them.
\q1
\v 17 They are joined to~one~another,
\q so closely connected~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 41:17 \ft Lit \fqa another; they cling together and\f* they~cannot be~separated.
\q1
\v 18 His snorting~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 41:18 \ft Or \fqa sneezing\f* flashes with~light,
\q while his eyes are like~the~rays~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 41:18 \ft Lit \fqa eyelids\f* of~dawn.
\q1
\v 19 Flaming torches shoot from~his~mouth;
\q fiery sparks fly out!
\q1
\v 20 Smoke billows from~his~nostrils~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:20 \ft \+xt 2Sm 22:9; Jb 39:20; Ps 18:8\+xt*\f*
\q as from a boiling pot or~burning~reeds.
\q1
\v 21 His breath sets coals~ablaze,
\q and flames pour~out of~his~mouth.
\q1
\v 22 Strength resides in~his~neck,
\q and dismay dances before~him.
\q1
\v 23 The folds of his flesh are~joined~together,
\q solid as metal~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 41:23 \ft Lit \fqa together, hard on him\f* and~immovable.
\q1
\v 24 His heart is as~hard as~a~rock,
\q as hard as a~lower~millstone!
\q1
\v 25 When Leviathan rises, the~mighty~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 41:25 \ft Or \fqa the divine beings\f* are~terrified;
\q they withdraw because~of his~thrashing.
\q1
\v 26 The sword that reaches him will~have no~effect,
\q nor will a spear, dart, or~arrow.
\q1
\v 27 He regards iron as~straw,
\q and bronze as~rotten~wood.
\q1
\v 28 No arrow can make him~flee;
\q slingstones become like~stubble to~him.
\q1
\v 29 A club is regarded as~stubble,
\q and he laughs~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:29 \ft \+xt 2Ch 30:10; Jb 39:7,18; Hab 1:10\+xt*\f* at~the~sound of~a~javelin.
\q1
\v 30 His undersides are jagged~potsherds,
\q spreading the~mud like~a~threshing~sledge.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 41:30 \ft \+xt Is 41:15; Am 1:3\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 31 He makes the~depths~seethe like~a~cauldron;
\q he makes the~sea like~an~ointment~jar.
\q1
\v 32 He leaves a shining wake behind~him;~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 41:32 \ft Lit \fqa a path\f*
\q one would think the~deep had gray~hair!
\q1
\v 33 He has no equal on~earth~—
\q a creature devoid of~fear!
\q1
\v 34 He surveys everything that~is~haughty;
\q he is king over all the~proud~beasts.~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 41:34 \ft Lit \fqa the children of pride\f*
\c 42
\s1 Job Replies to the \nd Lord\nd*
\m
\v 1 Then Job replied to the \nd Lord\nd*:
\q1
\v 2 I~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 42:2 \ft Alt Hb tradition reads \fqa You\f* know that you~can~do anything
\q and no plan of~yours can~be~thwarted.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:2 \ft \+xt Gn 18:14; Jr 23:20; Mt 19:26\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 3 You asked, “Who~is~this who~conceals my~counsel with~ignorance?~”~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:3 \ft \+xt Jb 34:35; 35:16; 38:2\+xt*\f*
\q Surely I spoke about~things I~did~not understand,
\q things too wondrous for~me to~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 42:3 \ft Lit \fqa me, and I did not\f*~know.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:3 \ft \+xt Ps 40:5; 131:1; 139:6\+xt*\f*
\q1
\v 4 You said, “Listen~now, and~I~will~speak.
\q When I question~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:4 \ft \+xt Jb 38:3; 40:7\+xt*\f* you, you~will inform~me.”
\q1
\v 5 I had heard reports about~you,
\q but now my~eyes~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:5 \ft \+xt Jb 19:27; Ps 123:1–2; 141:8\+xt*\f* have~seen~you.
\q1
\v 6 Therefore, I reject my~words and am sorry for~them;
\q I am~dust and~ashes.~\f + \cat (I)\cat* \fr 42:6 \ft LXX reads \fqa I despise myself and melt; I consider myself dust and ashes\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 42:6 \ft Lit \fqa I reject and I relent, concerning dust and ashes\f*
\b
\p
\v 7 After the \nd Lord\nd* had finished speaking~\f + \cat (II)\cat* \fr 42:7 \ft Lit \fqa speaking these words\f* to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, for you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.
\v 8 Now take seven bulls and seven rams, go to my servant Job, and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. Then my servant Job will pray for you.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:8 \ft \+xt Gn 20:17; Nm 23:1; 1Jn 5:16\+xt*\f* I will surely accept his prayer and not deal with you as your folly deserves. For you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.”
\v 9 Then Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the \nd Lord\nd* had told them, and the \nd Lord\nd* accepted Job’s prayer.
\s1 God Restores Job
\m
\v 10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the \nd Lord\nd* restored his fortunes and doubled his previous possessions.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:10 \ft \+xt Ps 14:7; Is 40:2; Mt 5:44\+xt*\f*
\v 11 All his brothers, sisters, and former acquaintances~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:11 \ft \+xt Jb 2:11; 19:13\+xt*\f* came to him and dined with him in his house. They sympathized with him and comforted him concerning all the adversity the \nd Lord\nd* had brought on him. Each one gave him a piece of silver~\f + \cat (III)\cat* \fr 42:11 \ft Lit \fqa a qesitah\ft ; the value of this currency is unknown\f*\sup ,\sup*\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:11 \ft \+xt Gn 33:19; Jos 24:32\+xt*\f* and a gold earring.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:11 \ft \+xt Gn 24:22; 35:4; Hs 2:13\+xt*\f*
\p
\v 12 So the \nd Lord\nd* blessed the last part of Job’s life more than the first. He owned fourteen thousand sheep and goats, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys.
\v 13 He also had seven sons and three daughters.
\v 14 He named his first daughter Jemimah, his second Keziah, and his third Keren-happuch.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:14 \ft \+xt Ps 45:8; Sg 2:14; Jr 4:30\+xt*\f*
\v 15 No women as beautiful as Job’s daughters could be found in all the land, and their father granted them an inheritance with their brothers.
\p
\v 16 Job lived 140 years after this and saw his children and their children to the fourth generation.
\v 17 Then Job died, old and full of days.~\f + \cat (IV)\cat* \fr 42:17 \ft \+xt Gn 25:8; 35:29; 1Ch 29:28\+xt*\f*
\p
