Bible in 90 Days
8 1 Bildad showeth that Job is a sinner, because that God punisheth the wicked, and preserveth the good.
1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
2 How long wilt thou talk of these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth [a]be as a mighty wind?
3 Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty subvert justice?
4 If thy sons have sinned against him, and he hath sent them into the place of their [b]iniquity,
5 Yet if thou [c]wilt early seek unto God, and pray to the Almighty,
6 If thou be pure and upright, then surely he will awake up unto thee, and he will make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
7 And though thy beginning [d]be small, yet thy latter end shall greatly increase.
8 [e]Inquire therefore, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to search of their fathers.
9 (For we are but [f]of yesterday, and are ignorant: for our days upon earth are but a shadow)
10 Shall not they teach thee and tell thee, and utter the words of their heart?
11 Can a rush [g]grow without mire? or can the grass grow without water?
12 Though it were in green and not cut down, yet shall it wither before any other herb.
13 So are the paths of all that forget God, and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish.
14 His confidence also shall be cut off, and his trust shall be as the house of a [h]spider.
15 He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold him fast by it, yet shall it not endure.
16 The [i]tree is green before the Sun, and the branches spread over the garden thereof.
17 The roots thereof are wrapped about the fountain, and are folded about the house of stones.
18 If any pluck it from his place, and it [j]deny, saying, I have not seen thee,
19 Behold, it will rejoice [k]by this means, that it may grow in another mold.
20 Behold, God will not cast away an upright man, neither will he take the wicked by the hand,
21 Till he have filled thy mouth with [l]laughter, and thy lips with joy.
22 They that hate thee, shall be clothed with shame, and the dwelling of the wicked shall not remain.
9 2 Job declareth the mighty power of God, and that man’s righteousness is nothing.
1 Then Job answered, and said,
2 I know verily that it is so: for how should man compared unto God, be [m]justified?
3 If he would dispute with him, he could not answer him one thing of [n]thousand.
4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath been fierce against him, and hath prospered?
5 He removeth the mountains, and they feel not when he overthroweth them in his wrath.
6 He [o]removeth the earth out of her place, that the pillars thereof do shake.
7 He commandeth the Sun, and it riseth not: he closeth up the stars, as under a signet.
8 He himself alone spreadeth out the heavens, and walketh upon the height of the Sea.
9 He maketh the stars [p]Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the climates of the South.
10 He doeth great things, and unsearchable: yea, marvelous things without number.
11 Lo, when he goeth [q]by me, I see him not: and when he passeth by, I perceive him not:
12 Behold, when he taketh a prey, [r]who can make him to restore it? who shall say unto him, What doest thou?
13 God [s]will not withdraw his anger, and the most mighty helpers [t]do stoop under him.
14 How much less shall I answer him? or how should I find out [u]my words with him?
15 For though I were just, yet could I [v]not answer, but I would make supplication to my Judge.
16 If I [w]cry, and he answer me, yet would I not believe, that he heard my voice.
17 For he destroyeth me with a tempest, and woundeth me [x]without cause.
18 He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.
19 If we speak of strength, behold, he is [y]strong: if we speak of judgment, who shall bring me in to plead?
20 If I should justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: [z]if I would be perfect, he shall judge me wicked.
21 Though I were perfect, yet I know not my soul: therefore abhor I my life.
22 This is one point: therefore I said, He destroyeth the [aa]perfect and the wicked.
23 If the scourge should suddenly [ab]slay, should God [ac]laugh at the punishment of the innocent?
24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: [ad]he covereth the faces of the judges thereof: if not, where [ae]is he? or who is he?
25 My days have been more swift than a post: they have fled, and have seen no good thing.
26 They are passed as with the most swift ships, and as the Eagle that flieth to the prey.
27 If [af]I say, I will forget my complaint, I will cease from my wrath, and comfort me,
28 Then I am afraid of all my sorrows, knowing that thou wilt not judge me innocent.
29 If I be wicked, why [ag]labor I thus in vain?
30 If I wash [ah]myself with snow water, and purge mine hands most clean,
31 Yet shalt thou plunge me in the pit, and mine own [ai]clothes shall make me filthy.
32 For he is not a man as I am, that I should answer him, if we come together to judgment.
33 Neither is there any umpire [aj]that might lay his hand upon us both.
34 Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear astonish me:
35 Then will I speak, and fear him not: [ak]but because I am not so, I hold me still.
10 1 Job is weary of his life, and setteth out his fragility before God. 20 He desireth him to stay his hand. 22 A description of death.
1 My soul is cut off [al]though I live: I will leave my [am]complaint upon myself, and will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
2 I will say unto God, [an]Condemn me not: show me, wherefore thou contendest with me.
3 Thinkest thou it [ao]good to oppress me, and to cast off the [ap]labor of thine hands, and to favor the [aq]counsel of the wicked?
4 Hast thou [ar]carnal eyes? or dost thou see as man seeth?
5 Are thy days as man’s [as]days? or thy years as the time of man,
6 That thou inquirest of mine iniquity, and searchest out my sin?
7 Thou knowest that I cannot do [at]wickedly: for none can deliver me out of thine hand.
8 Thine [au]hands have made me, and fashioned me wholly round about, and wilt thou destroy me?
9 Remember, I pray thee, that thou hast made me as [av]the clay, and wilt thou bring me into dust again?
10 Hast thou not poured me out as milk? and turned me to curds like cheese?
11 Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and joined me together with bones and sinews.
12 Thou hast given me life, and [aw]grace: and the [ax]visitation hath preserved my spirit.
13 Though thou hast hid these things in thine heart, yet I know [ay]that it is so with thee.
14 If I have sinned, then thou wilt straightly look unto me, and wilt not hold me guiltless of mine iniquity.
15 If I have done wickedly, woe unto me: if I have done righteously, I will not [az]lift up mine head, being full of confusion, because I see mine affliction.
16 But let it increase: hunt thou me as a lion: return and show thyself [ba]marvelous upon me.
17 Thou renewest thy plagues against me, and thou increasest thy wrath against me: [bb]changes and armies of sorrows are against me.
18 Wherefore then hast thou brought me out of the womb? Oh that I had perished, and that none eye had seen me!
19 And that I were as I had not been, but brought from the womb to the grave!
20 Are not my days few? let him [bc]cease, and leave off from me, that I may take a little comfort,
21 Before I go and shall not [bd]return, even to the land of darkness and shadow of death:
22 Into a land, I say, dark as darkness itself, and into the shadow of death, where is none [be]order, but the light is there as darkness.
11 1 Job is unjustly reprehended of Zophar. 7 God is incomprehensible. 14 He is merciful to the repentant. 18 Their assurance that live godly.
1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
2 Should not the multitude of words be answered? or should a great [bf]talker be justified?
3 Should men hold their peace at thy lies? and when thou mockest others, shall none make thee ashamed?
4 For thou hast said, [bg]My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.
5 But, oh that God would speak and open his lips against thee!
6 That he might show thee the [bh]secrets of wisdom how thou hast deserved double, according to right: know therefore that God hath forgotten thee for thine iniquity.
7 Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty to his perfection?
8 The heavens are high, what canst thou do? [bi]it is deeper than the hell, how canst thou know it?
9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and it is broader than the Sea.
10 If he cut off and [bj]shut up, or gather together, who can turn him back?
11 For he knoweth vain men, and seeth iniquity, and him that understandeth nothing.
12 Yet vain man would be wise, though man newborn is like a wild [bk]ass colt.
13 If thou [bl]prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him:
14 If iniquity be in thine [bm]hand, put it far away, and let no wickedness dwell in thy Tabernacle.
15 Then truly shalt thou lift up thy [bn]face without spot, and shalt be stable, and shalt not fear.
16 But thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that are past.
17 Thine age also shall appear more clear than the noon day: thou shalt shine and be as the morning.
18 And thou shalt be bold, because there is hope: and thou shalt dig pits, and shalt lie down safely.
19 (A)For when thou takest thy rest, none shall make thee afraid: yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
20 But the eyes [bo]of the wicked shall fail, and their refuge shall perish, and their hope shall be sorrow of mind.
12 2 Job accuseth his friends of ignorance. 7 He declareth the might, and power of God. 17 And how he changeth the course of things.
1 Then Job answered, and said,
2 Indeed because that ye are the people only, [bp]wisdom must die with you.
3 But I have understanding as well as you, and am not inferior unto you: yea, who knoweth not such things?
4 (B)I am [bq]as one mocked of his neighbor, who calleth upon God, and he [br]heareth him: the just and the upright is laughed to scorn.
5 [bs]He that is ready to fall, is as a lamp despised in the opinion of the rich.
6 The tabernacles of robbers do prosper, and they are in safety, that provoke God, [bt]whom God hath enriched with his hand.
7 Ask now the beasts, [bu]and they shall teach thee, and the fowls of the heaven, and they shall tell thee:
8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall show thee: or the fishes of the sea, and they shall declare unto thee.
9 Who is ignorant of all these, but that the hand of the Lord hath made these?
10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all [bv]mankind.
11 Doth not the ears [bw]discern the words, and the mouth taste meat for itself?
12 Among the [bx]ancient is wisdom, and in the length of days is understanding.
13 With him is wisdom and strength: he hath counsel and understanding.
14 Behold, he will break down, and it cannot be built: he shutteth a man up, and he cannot be loosed.
15 Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: but when he sendeth them out, they destroy the earth.
16 With him is strength and wisdom: he that is deceived, and that [by]deceiveth, are his.
17 He causeth the counselors to go as spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.
18 [bz]He looseth [ca]the collar of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.
19 He leadeth away the princes as a prey, and overthroweth the mighty.
20 He taketh away the speech from the [cb]faithful counselors, and taketh away the judgment of the ancient.
21 He poureth contempt upon princes, and maketh the strength of the mighty weak.
22 He discovereth the deep places from their darkness, and bringeth forth the shadow of death to light.
23 He [cc]increaseth the people, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and bringeth them in again.
24 He taketh away the hearts of them that are the chief over the people of the earth, and maketh them to wander in the wilderness out of the way.
25 They grope in the dark without light: and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.
13 3 Job compareth his knowledge with the experience of his friends. 16 The penitent shall be saved, and the hypocrite condemned, 20 He prayeth unto God, that he would not handle him rigorously.
1 Lo, mine eye hath seen all this: mine ear hath heard, and understood it.
2 I know also as much as you know: I am not inferior unto you.
3 But I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire [cd]to dispute with God.
4 For indeed ye forge lies, and all you are [ce]physicians of no value.
5 Oh, that you would hold your tongue, that it might be imputed to you for wisdom!
6 Now hear my disputation, and give ear to the arguments of my lips.
7 Will ye speak [cf]wickedly for God’s defense, and talk deceitfully for his cause?
8 Will ye accept his person? or will ye contend for God?
9 Is it well that he should seek of you? will you make a lie for him, as one lieth for a man?
10 He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept any person.
11 Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his fear fall upon you?
12 Your [cg]memories may be compared unto ashes, and your bodies unto bodies of clay.
13 Hold your tongues in my presence, that I may speak, and let come upon what will.
14 Wherefore do I [ch]take my flesh in my teeth, and put my soul in my hand?
15 Lo, though he slay me, yet will I trust in him, and I will reprove my ways in his sight.
16 He shall be my salvation also: for the [ci]hypocrite shall not come before him.
17 Hear diligently my words, and mark my talk.
18 Behold now: if I prepare me to judgment, I know that I shall be [cj]justified.
19 Who is he that will plead [ck]with me? for if I now hold my tongue, I [cl]die.
20 But do not these two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee.
21 [cm]Withdraw thine hand from me, and let not thy fear make me afraid.
22 Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me.
23 How many are [cn]mine iniquities and sins, show me my rebellion and my sin.
24 Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and takest me for thine enemy?
25 Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?
26 For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the [co]iniquities of my youth.
27 Thou puttest my feet also in the [cp]stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths, and makest the print thereof in the [cq]heels of my feet.
28 Such a one consumeth like a rotten thing, and as a garment that is moth-eaten.
14 1 Job describeth the shortness and misery of the life of man. 14 Hope sustaineth the godly. 21 The condition of man’s life.
1 Man [cr]that is born of woman, is of short continuance and full of trouble.
2 He shooteth forth as a flower, and is cut down: he vanisheth also as a (C)shadow, and continueth not.
3 And yet thou openest thine eyes upon such [cs]one, and causest me to enter into judgment with thee.
4 (D)Who can bring a clean thing out of filthiness? there is not one.
5 Are not his days determined? the number of his months are with thee: thou hast appointed his bound, which he cannot pass.
6 Turn from him that he may cease until his desired day, [ct]as an hireling.
7 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will yet sprout, and the branches thereof will not cease.
8 Though the root of it wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof be dead in the ground,
9 Yet by the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.
10 [cu]But man is sick, and dieth, and man perisheth, and where is he?
11 As the waters pass from the sea, and as the flood decayeth and drieth up,
12 So man sleepeth and riseth not: for he shall not wake again, nor be raised from his sleep till the heaven be no more.
13 Oh that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, and keep me secret, until thy [cv]wrath were past, and wouldest give me term, and [cw]remember me!
14 If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of mine appointed time will I wait, till [cx]my changing shall come.
15 Thou shalt call me, and I will [cy]answer thee: thou lovest the work of thine own hands.
16 But now thou (E)numberest my steps, and doest not delay my sins.
17 Mine iniquity is sealed up, as in a [cz]bag, and thou addest unto my wickedness.
18 And surely as the mountain that falleth, cometh to nought, and the [da]rock that is removed from his place:
19 As the water breaketh the stones, when thou overflowest the things which grow in the dust of the earth: so thou destroyest the hope of man.
20 Thou prevailest always against him, so that he passeth away: he changeth his face when thou castest him away.
21 And he knoweth not if his sons shall be honorable, neither shall he understand concerning them, whether they shall be of low degree,
22 But while his [db]flesh is upon him, he shall be sorrowful, and while his soul is in him, it shall mourn.
15 1 Eliphaz reprehendeth Job, because he ascribeth wisdom and pureness to himself. 16 He describeth the curse that falleth on the wicked, reckoning Job to be one of the number.
1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,
2 Shall a wise man speak words of the [dc]wind? and fill his belly [dd]with the East wind?
3 Shall he dispute with words not comely? or with talk that is not profitable?
4 Surely thou hast cast off [de]fear, and restrainest prayer before God:
5 For thy mouth declareth thine iniquity, seeing thou hast chosen the [df]tongue of the crafty.
6 Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I, and thy lips testify against thee.
7 Art thou the [dg]first man that was born? and wast thou made before the hills?
8 Hast thou heard the secret counsel of God, and dost thou restrain wisdom [dh]to thee?
9 What knowest thou that we know not? and understandest that is not in us?
10 With us are both ancient and very aged men, far older than thy father.
11 Seem the consolations of God [di]small unto thee? is this thing strange unto thee?
12 Why doth thine heart [dj]take thee away, and what do thine eyes mean,
13 That thou answerest to God [dk]at thy pleasure, and bringest such words out of thy mouth?
14 What is man, that he should be clean? and he that is born of woman, that he should [dl]be just?
15 Behold, he found no steadfastness in his Saints: yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight.
16 How much more is man abominable, and filthy, which [dm]drinketh iniquity like water?
17 I will tell thee: hear me, and I will declare that which I have seen:
18 Which wise men have told, as they have heard of their fathers, and have not kept it secret:
19 To whom alone the land was [dn]given, and no stranger passed through them.
20 The wicked man is continually as one that travaileth of child, and the number [do]of years is hid from the tyrant.
21 A sound of fear is in his ears, and in his prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.
22 He believeth not to return out of [dp]darkness: for he seeth the sword before him.
23 He wandereth [dq]to and fro for bread where he may: he knoweth that the day of darkness is prepared at hand.
24 Affliction and [dr]anguish shall make him afraid: they shall prevail against him as a king ready to the battle.
25 For he hath stretched out his hand against God, and made himself strong against the Almighty.
26 Therefore God shall run upon him, even upon his neck, and against the most thick part of his shield.
27 Because he hath covered his face with [ds]his fatness, and hath collops in his flank.
28 Though he dwell [dt]in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabiteth, but are become heaps,
29 He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he prolong the [du]perfection thereof in the earth.
30 He shall never depart out of darkness: the flame shall dry up his branches, and he shall go away with the breath of his mouth.
31 He [dv]believeth not that he erreth in vanity: therefore vanity shall be his change.
32 His branch shall not be green, but shall be cut off before his day.
33 God shall destroy him as the vine her sour [dw]grape, and shall cast him off, as the olive doth her flower.
34 For the congregation of the hypocrite shall be desolate, and fire shall devour the houses of [dx]bribes.
35 For they [dy]conceive mischief and bring forth vanity, and their belly hath prepared deceit.
16 1 Job moved by the importunacy of his friends, 7 Counteth in what extremity he is. 19 And taketh God to witness of his innocence.
1 But Job answered and said,
2 I have oftentimes heard such things: miserable comforters are ye all.
3 Shall there be none end of words of [dz]wind? or what maketh thee bold so to [ea]answer?
4 I could also speak as ye do: (but would God your [eb]soul were in my soul’s stead) I could keep you company in speaking, and could [ec]shake mine head at you,
5 But I would strengthen you [ed]with my mouth, and the comfort of my lips should assuage your sorrow.
6 Though I speak, my sorrow [ee]cannot be assuaged: though I cease, what release have I?
7 But now [ef]he maketh me weary: O God, thou hast made all my [eg]congregation desolate,
8 And hast made me full of [eh]wrinkles which is a witness thereof, and my leanness riseth up in me, testifying the same in my face.
9 [ei]His wrath hath torn me, and he hateth me, and gnasheth upon me with his teeth: mine enemy hath sharpened his eyes against me.
10 They have opened their mouths upon me, and smitten me on the [ej]cheek in reproach: they gathered themselves together against me.
11 God hath delivered me to the unjust, and hath made me to turn out of the way by the [ek]hands of the wicked.
12 I was in wealth, but he hath brought me to nought: he hath taken me by the neck and beaten me, and set me as a mark for himself.
13 His [el]archers compass me round about: he cutteth my reins, and doth not spare, and poureth my gall [em]upon the ground.
14 He hath broken me with one breaking upon another, and runneth upon me like a giant.
15 I have sowed a sackcloth upon my skin, and have abased mine [en]horn unto the dust.
16 My face is withered with weeping, and the shadow of death is upon mine eyes,
17 Though there be no wickedness in [eo]mine hands, and my prayer [ep]be pure.
18 O earth, cover not thou my [eq]blood, and let my crying find no place.
19 For lo, now my [er]witness is in the heaven, and my record is on high.
20 My friends [es]speak eloquently against me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.
21 Oh that a man might [et]plead with God, as man with his neighbor!
22 For the years accounted come, and I shall go the way, whence I shall not return.
17 1 Job sayeth that he consumeth away, and yet doth patiently abide it. 10 He exhorteth his friends to repentance, 13 showing that he looketh out for death.
1 My breath is corrupt: my days are cut off, and the grave is ready for me.
2 There are none but [eu]mockers with me, and mine eye continueth in [ev]their bitterness.
3 [ew]Lay down now, and put me in surety for thee: who is he, that [ex]will touch mine hand?
4 For thou hast hid their heart from [ey]understanding: therefore shalt thou not set them up on high.
5 [ez]For the eyes of his children shall fail, that speaketh flattery to his friends.
6 He hath also made me a [fa]byword of the people, and I am as a tabret [fb]before them.
7 Mine eye therefore is dim for grief, and all my strength is like a shadow.
8 The righteous shall be astonied at [fc]this, and the innocent shall be moved against the hypocrite.
9 But the righteous will hold his [fd]way, and he whose hands are pure, shall increase his strength.
10 All [fe]you therefore turn you, and come now, and I shall not find one wise among you.
11 My days are past, mine enterprises are broken, and the thoughts of mine heart
12 Have changed the [ff]night for the day, and the light that approached, for darkness.
13 Though I hope, [fg]yet the grave shall be mine house, and I shall make my bed in the dark.
14 I shall say to corruption, Thou art my [fh]father, and to the worm, Thou art my mother and my sister.
15 Where is then now mine hope? or who shall consider the thing that I hoped for?
16 [fi]They shall go down into the bottom of the pit: surely it shall lie together in the dust.
18 1 Bildad rehearseth the pains of the unfaithful and wicked.
1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
2 When will [fj]ye make an end of your words? [fk]cause us to understand, and then we will speak.
3 Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and are vile in your sight?
4 Thou art [fl]as one that teareth his soul in his anger. Shall the [fm]earth be forsaken for thy sake? or the rock removed out of his place?
5 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be [fn]quenched, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.
6 The light shall be dark in his dwelling, and his candle shall be put out with him.
7 The steps of his strength shall be restrained, and his own counsel shall cast him down.
8 For he is taken in the net by his feet, and he [fo]walketh upon the snares.
9 The grenne shall take him by the heel, and the chief shall come upon him.
10 A snare is laid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way.
11 Fearfulness shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.
12 His strength shall be [fp]famine: and destruction shall be ready at his side.
13 It shall devour the inner parts of his skin, and the [fq]firstborn of death shall devour his strength.
14 His hope shall be rooted out of his dwelling, and shall cause him to go to the [fr]king of fear.
15 Fear shall dwell in his house (because it is not [fs]his) [ft]and brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.
16 His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut down.
17 His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street.
18 They shall drive him out of the [fu]light unto darkness, and chase him out of the world.
19 He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any posterity in his dwellings.
20 The posterity shall be astonied at his [fv]day, and fear shall come upon the ancient.
21 Surely such are the habitations of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God.
19 2 Job reproveth his friends, 8 and reciteth his miseries and grievous pains. 25 He assureth himself of the general resurrection.
1 But Job answered, and said,
2 How long will ye vex my soul, and torment me with words?
3 Ye have now [fw]ten times reproached me, and are not ashamed: ye are impudent toward me.
4 And though I had indeed erred, mine error [fx]remaineth with me.
5 But indeed if ye will advance yourselves against me, and rebuke me for my reproach,
6 Know now, that God hath [fy]overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net.
7 Behold, I cry out of violence, but I have none answer: I cry, but there is no judgment.
8 He hath hedged up my way that I cannot [fz]pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.
9 He hath spoiled me of mine honor, and taken the [ga]crown away from mine head.
10 He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and he hath removed mine hope like [gb]a tree.
11 And he hath kindled his wrath against me, and counteth me as one of his enemies.
12 His [gc]armies came together, and made their way upon me, and camped about my tabernacle.
13 He hath removed my brethren far from me, and also mine acquaintance were strangers unto me.
14 My neighbors have forsaken me, and my familiars have forgotten me.
15 [gd]They that dwell in mine house, and my maids took me for a stranger: for I was a stranger in their sight.
16 I called my servant, but he would not answer, though I prayed him with my mouth.
17 My breath was strange unto my wife, though I prayed her for the children’s sake of mine [ge]own body.
18 The wicked also despised me, and when I rose, they spake against me.
19 All my secret friends abhorred me, and they whom I loved, are turned against me.
20 My bone [gf]cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I have escaped with the [gg]skin of my teeth.
21 Have pity upon me: have [gh]pity upon me, (O ye my friends) for the hand of God hath touched me.
22 Why do ye persecute me, as [gi]God? and are not satisfied with my [gj]flesh?
23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were written even in a book,
24 And graven with [gk]an iron pen in lead, or in stone forever!
25 For I am sure that my [gl]Redeemer liveth, and he shall stand the last on the earth.
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet shall I see God [gm]in my flesh.
27 Whom I myself shall see, and mine eyes shall behold, and none other for me, though my reins are consumed within me.
28 But ye said, Why is he persecuted? And there was a [gn]deep matter in me.
29 Be ye afraid of the sword: for the sword will be [go]avenged of wickedness, that ye may know that there is a judgment.
20 1 Zophar showeth, that the wicked and the covetous shall have a short end, 22 though for a time they flourish.
1 Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,
2 Doubtless my thoughts cause me to answer, and therefore I make haste.
3 I have heard [gp]the correction of my reproach: therefore the spirit of mine understanding causeth me to answer.
4 Knowest thou not this of old? and since God placed man upon the earth,
5 That the rejoicing of the wicked is short, and that the joy of the hypocrites is but a moment?
6 Though [gq]his excellency mount up to the heaven, and his head reach unto the clouds,
7 Yet shall he perish forever like his dung, and they which have seen him, shall say, Where is he?
8 He shall flee away as a dream, and they shall not find him, and shall pass away as a vision of the night.
9 So that the eye which had seen him, shall do so no more, and his place shall see him no more.
10 His children shall [gr]flatter the poor, and his hands shall [gs]restore his substance.
11 His bones are full of the sin of his youth, and [gt]it shall lie down with him in the dust.
12 When wickedness was [gu]sweet in his mouth, and he hid it under his tongue,
13 And favored it, and would not forsake it, but kept it close in his mouth,
14 Then his meat in his bowels was turned: the gall of Asps was in the midst of him.
15 He hath devoured substance, and he shall vomit it: for God shall draw it out of his belly.
16 He shall suck the [gv]gall of Asps, and the viper’s tongue shall slay him.
17 He shall not see the [gw]rivers, nor the floods and streams of honey and butter.
18 He shall restore the labor, and shall devour no more: even according to the substance shall be his exchange, [gx]and he shall enjoy it no more.
19 For he hath undone many: he hath forsaken the poor, and hath spoiled houses which he built not.
20 Surely he shall feel no quietness in his body, neither shall he reserve of that which he desired.
21 There shall none of his [gy]meat be left: therefore none shall hope for his goods.
22 When he shall be filled with his abundance, he shall be in pain, and the hand [gz]of all the wicked shall assail him.
23 He shall be about to fill his belly, but God shall send upon him his fierce wrath, [ha]and shall cause to rain upon him, even upon his meat.
24 He shall flee from the iron weapons, and the bow of steel shall strike him through.
25 The arrow is drawn out, and cometh forth of the [hb]body, and shineth of his gall, so fear cometh upon him.
26 [hc]All darkness shall be hid in his secret places: the fire that is not [hd]blown shall devour him, and that which remaineth in his tabernacle shall be destroyed.
27 The heaven shall declare his wickedness, and the earth shall rise up against him.
28 The [he]increase of his house shall go away: it shall flow away in the day of his wrath.
29 This is the portion of the wicked man from [hf]God, and the heritage that he shall have of God, for his [hg]words.
21 7 Job declareth how the prosperity of the wicked maketh them proud. 15 Insomuch that they blaspheme God. 16 Their destruction is at hand. 23 None ought to be judged wicked for affliction, neither good for prosperity.
1 But Job answered, and said,
2 Hear diligently my words, and this [hh]shall be instead of your consolations.
3 Suffer me that I may speak, and when I have spoken, mock on.
4 Do I direct my talk to man? If it [hi]were so, how should not my spirit be troubled?
5 Mark me, and be abashed, and lay your hand upon your [hj]mouth.
6 Even when I remember, I am afraid, and fear taketh hold on my flesh.
7 Wherefore do the wicked [hk]live, and wax old, and grow in wealth?
8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their generation before their eyes.
9 Their houses are peaceable without fear, and the rod of God is not upon them.
10 Their bullock gendereth, and faileth not: their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11 They send forth their children [hl]like sheep, and their sons dance.
12 They take the tambourine and harp, and rejoice in the sound of the organs.
13 They spend their days in wealth, and suddenly [hm]they go down to the grave.
14 They say also unto God, Depart from us: for we desire not the [hn]knowledge of thy ways.
15 Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we should pray unto him?
16 Lo, their wealth is not in their [ho]hand: therefore let the counsel of the wicked [hp]be far from me.
17 How oft shall the candle of the wicked be put out and their destruction come upon them? he will divide their lives in his wrath.
18 They shall be as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
19 God will lay up the sorrow of the father for his children: when he rewardeth him, he shall know it.
20 [hq]His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21 For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off?
22 Shall any teach [hr]God knowledge, who judgeth the highest things?
23 One [hs]dieth in his full strength, being in all ease and prosperity.
24 His breasts are full of milk, and his bones run full of marrow.
25 And another [ht]dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
26 They shall sleep both in [hu]the dust, and the worms shall cover them.
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the enterprises wherewith ye do me wrong.
28 For ye say, Where is the prince’s [hv]house? and where is the tabernacle of the wicked’s dwelling?
29 May ye [hw]not ask them that go by the way? and ye cannot deny their signs.
30 But the wicked is kept unto the day of [hx]destruction, and they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
31 Who shall declare his way [hy]to his face? and who shall reward him for that he hath done?
32 Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and remain in the heap.
33 The [hz]slimy valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as before him there were innumerable.
34 How then comfort [ia]ye me in vain, seeing in your answer there remain but lies?
22 2 Eliphaz affirmeth that Job is punished for his sins. 6 He accuseth him of unmercifulness. 13 And that he denied God’s providence. 21 He exhorteth to repentance.
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered, and said,
2 May a man be [ib]profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable to himself?
3 (F)Is it anything unto the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it profitable to him, that thou makest thy ways upright?
4 Is it for fear [ic]of thee that he will accuse thee? or go with thee into judgment?
5 Is not thy wickedness great, and thine iniquities innumerable?
6 For thou hast taken the [id]pledge from thy brother for nought, and spoiled the clothes of the naked.
7 To such as were weary, thou hast not given water to drink, and hast withdrawn bread from the hungry.
8 But the mighty man [ie]had the earth, and he that was in authority, dwelt in it.
9 Thou hast cast out widows empty, and the arms of the [if]fatherless were broken.
10 Therefore snares are round about thee, and fear shall suddenly trouble thee.
11 Or darkness that thou shouldest not see, and [ig]abundance of waters shall cover thee.
12 Is not God on [ih]high in the heaven? and behold the height of the [ii]stars how high they are.
13 But thou sayest, How should God [ij]know? can he judge through the dark cloud?
14 The clouds hide him that he cannot see, and he walketh in the circle of heaven.
15 Hast thou marked the way of the world, [ik]wherein wicked men have walked?
16 Which were [il]cut down before the time, whose foundation was as a river that overflowed:
17 Which said unto God, Depart from us, and asked what the Almighty could do for them.
18 Yet he [im]filled their houses with good things: but let the counsel of the wicked be far from me.
19 The righteous shall see them, and shall rejoice, [in]and the innocent shall laugh them to scorn.
20 Surely [io]our substance is hid: but the fire hath devoured the remnant of [ip]them.
21 Therefore acquaint thyself, I pray thee, [iq]with him, and make peace: thereby thou shalt have prosperity.
22 Receive, I pray thee, the law of his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.
23 If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt [ir]be built up, and thou shalt put iniquity far from thy tabernacle.
24 Thou shalt lay up gold for [is]dust, and the gold of Ophir, as the flints of the rivers.
25 Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defense, and thou shalt have plenty of silver.
26 And thou shalt then delight in the Almighty, and lift up thy face unto God.
27 Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt render thy vows.
28 Thou shalt also decree a thing, and he shall establish it unto thee, and the [it]light shall shine upon thy ways.
29 [iu]When others are cast down, then shalt thou say, I am lifted up: and God shall save the humble person.
30 The innocent shall deliver the [iv]island, and it shall be preserved by the pureness of thine hands.
23 Job affirmeth that he both knoweth and feareth the power and sentence of the Judge, 10 And that he is not punished only for his sins.
1 But Job answered, and said,
2 Though my talk be this day in [iw]bitterness, and my plague greater than my groaning,
3 Would God yet I knew how to find him, I would enter unto his place.
4 I would plead the cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know the words, that he would answer me, and would understand what he would say unto me.
6 Would he [ix]plead against me with his great power? No, but he would [iy]put strength in me.
7 [iz]There the righteous might reason with him, so I should be delivered forever from my Judge.
8 [ja]Behold, if I go to the East, he is not there: if to the West, yet I cannot perceive him:
9 If to the North where he worketh, yet I cannot see him: he will hide himself in the South, and I cannot behold him.
10 But he knoweth my [jb]way, and trieth me, and I shall come forth like gold.
11 My foot hath followed his steps: his way have I kept, and have not declined:
12 Neither have I departed from the commandment of his lips, and I have [jc]esteemed the words of his mouth more than mine appointed food.
13 Yet he is in one mind, and who can [jd]turn him? yea, he doeth what his mind desireth.
14 For he will perform that which is decreed of me, and [je]many such things are with him.
15 Therefore I am troubled at his presence, and in considering it, I am afraid of him.
16 For [jf]God hath softened mine heart, and the Almighty hath troubled me.
17 For I am not cut off in [jg]darkness, but he hath hid the darkness from my face.
24 2 Job describeth the wickedness of men, and showeth what curse belongeth to the wicked. 12 How all things are governed by God’s providence. 17 And the destruction of the wicked.
1 How should not the times [jh]be hid from the Almighty, seeing that they which know him, see not his [ji]days?
2 Some remove the landmarks, that rob the flocks and feed thereof.
3 They lead away the ass of the fatherless, and take the widow’s ox to pledge.
4 They make the poor to turn out of the way, so that the poor of the earth hide themselves [jj]together.
5 Behold, others as wild asses in the wilderness, go forth to their business, and [jk]rise early for a prey: the wilderness [jl]giveth him and his children food.
6 They reap [jm]his provision in the field, but they gather the late [jn]vintage of the wicked.
7 They cause the naked to lodge without garment, and without covering in the cold.
8 They are wet with the showers of the mountains, [jo]and they embrace the rock for want of a covering.
9 They pluck the fatherless [jp]from the breast, and take the pledge of [jq]the poor.
10 They cause him to go naked without clothing, and take the gleaning from the hungry.
11 They that make oil [jr]between their walls, and tread their winepresses, suffer thirst.
12 Men [js]cry out of the city, and the souls of the slain [jt]cry out: yet God [ju]doth not charge them with folly.
13 These are they that abhor the [jv]light: they know not the ways thereof, nor continue in the paths thereof.
14 The murderer riseth early, and killeth the poor and the needy: and in the night he is as a thief.
15 The eye also of the [jw]adulterer waiteth for the twilight, and saith, None eye shall see me, and disguiseth his face.
16 They dig through houses in the dark, which they marked for themselves in the day: they know not the light.
17 But the morning is even to them as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death.
18 He is swift upon the [jx]waters: their [jy]portion shall be cursed in the earth: he will not behold the way of the vineyards.
19 As the dry ground and heat consume the snow waters, so shall the grave [jz]the sinners.
20 [ka]The pitiful man shall forget him: the worm shall feel his sweetness: he shall be no more remembered, and the wicked shall be broken like a tree.
21 He [kb]doth evil entreat the barren that doth not bear, neither doeth he good to the widow.
22 He draweth also the [kc]mighty by his power, and when he riseth up, none is sure of life.
23 Though men give him assurance to be in safety, yet his eyes are upon their ways.
24 They are exalted for a little, but they are gone, and are brought low as all others: they are destroyed, and cut off as the top of an ear of corn.
25 But if it be not [kd]so, where is he? or who will prove me a liar, and make my words of no value?
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.