THE BOOK OF

JOB
CHAPTER 1 tan answered the LORD, "From
1 There was a man in the going to and fro on the earth,
land of Uz, whose name was and from walking up and down
Job; and that man was blame- on it."
less and upright, one who 8 And the LORD said to Sa-
feared God, and turned away tan, "Have you considered my
from evil. servant Job, that there is none
2 There were born to him like him on the earth, a
seven sons and three daugh- blameless and upright man,
ters. who fears God and turns away
3 He had seven thousand from evil?"
sheep, three thousand camels, 9 Then Satan answered the
five hundred yoke of oxen, LORD, "Does Job fear God for
and five hundred she-asses, nought?
and very many servants; so 10 Hast thou not put a hedge
that this man was the greatest about him and his house and
of all the people of the east. all that he has, on every side?
4 His sons used to go and Thou hast blessed the work of
hold a feast in the house of his hands, and his possessions
each on his day; and they have increased in the land.
would send and invite their 11 But put forth thy hand
three sisters to eat and drink now, and touch all that he
with them. has, and he will curse thee to
5 And when the days of the thy face."
feast had run their course, Job 12 And the LORD said to Sa-
would send and sanctify them, tan, "Behold, all that he has is
and he would rise early in the in your power; only upon him-
morning and offer burnt offer- self do not put forth your
ings according to the number hand." So Satan went forth
of them all; for Job said, "It from the presence of the
may be that my sons have LORD.
sinned, and cursed God in 13 Now there was a day when
their hearts." Thus Job did his sons and daughters were
continually. eating and drinking wine in
6 Now there was a day when their eldest brother's house;
the sons of God came to 14 and there came a messen-
present themselves before the ger to Job, and said, "The oxen
LORD, and Satan also came were plowing and the asses
among them. feeding beside them;
7 The LORD said to Satan, 15 and the Sabe'ans fell upon
"Whence have you come?" Sa- them and took them, and slew

1
 JOB

the servants with the edge of 1 Again there was a day when
the sword; and I alone have the sons of God came to
escaped to tell you." present themselves before the
16 While he was yet speak- LORD, and Satan also came
ing, there came another, and among them to present him-
said, "The fire of God fell from self before the LORD.
heaven and burned up the 2 And the LORD said to Sa-
sheep and the servants, and tan, "Whence have you
consumed them; and I alone come?" Satan answered the
have escaped to tell you." LORD, "From going to and fro
17 While he was yet speak- on the earth, and from walk-
ing, there came another, and ing up and down on it."
said, "The Chalde'ans formed 3 And the LORD said to Sa-
three companies, and made a tan, "Have you considered my
raid upon the camels and took servant Job, that there is none
them, and slew the servants like him on the earth, a
with the edge of the sword; blameless and upright man,
and I alone have escaped to who fears God and turns away
tell you." from evil? He still holds fast
18 While he was yet speak- his integrity, although you
ing, there came another, and moved me against him, to de-
said, "Your sons and daugh- stroy him without cause."
ters were eating and drinking 4 Then Satan answered the
wine in their eldest brother's LORD, "Skin for skin! All that a
house; man has he will give for his
19 and behold, a great wind life.
came across the wilderness, 5 But put forth thy hand now,
and struck the four corners of and touch his bone and his
the house, and it fell upon the flesh, and he will curse thee
young people, and they are to thy face."
dead; and I alone have es- 6 And the LORD said to Sa-
caped to tell you." tan, "Behold, he is in your
20 Then Job arose, and rent power; only spare his life."
his robe, and shaved his head, 7 So Satan went forth from
and fell upon the ground, and the presence of the LORD, and
worshiped. afflicted Job with loathsome
21 And he said, "Naked I sores from the sole of his foot
came from my mother's to the crown of his head.
womb, and naked shall I re- 8 And he took a potsherd
turn; the LORD gave, and the with which to scrape himself,
LORD has taken away; blessed and sat among the ashes.
be the name of the LORD." 9 Then his wife said to him,
22 In all this Job did not sin "Do you still hold fast your in-
or charge God with wrong. tegrity? Curse God, and die."
10 But he said to her, "You
CHAPTER 2 speak as one of the foolish

2
 JOB

women would speak. Shall we ness seize it! let it not rejoice
receive good at the hand of among the days of the year,
God, and shall we not receive let it not come into the num-
evil?" In all this Job did not sin ber of the months.
with his lips. 7 Yea, let that night be bar-
11 Now when Job's three ren; let no joyful cry be heard
friends heard of all this evil in it.
that had come upon him, they 8 Let those curse it who
came each from his own curse the day, who are skilled
place, Eli'phaz the Te'manite, to rouse up Levi'athan.
Bildad the Shuhite, and 9 Let the stars of its dawn be
Zophar the Na'amathite. They dark; let it hope for light, but
made an appointment togeth- have none, nor see the eyelids
er to come to condole with of the morning;
him and comfort him. 10 because it did not shut
12 And when they saw him the doors of my mother's
from afar, they did not recog- womb, nor hide trouble from
nize him; and they raised their my eyes.
voices and wept; and they 11 "Why did I not die at birth,
rent their robes and sprinkled come forth from the womb
dust upon their heads toward and expire?
heaven. 12 Why did the knees receive
13 And they sat with him on me? Or why the breasts, that I
the ground seven days and should suck?
seven nights, and no one 13 For then I should have lain
spoke a word to him, for they down and been quiet; I should
saw that his suffering was have slept; then I should have
very great. been at rest,
14 with kings and counselors
CHAPTER 3 of the earth who rebuilt ruins
1 After this Job opened his for themselves,
mouth and cursed the day of 15 or with princes who had
his birth. gold, who filled their houses
2 And Job said: with silver.
3 "Let the day perish wherein 16 Or why was I not as a hid-
I was born, and the night den untimely birth, as infants
which said, `A man-child is that never see the light?
conceived.' 17 There the wicked cease
4 Let that day be darkness! from troubling, and there the
May God above not seek it, weary are at rest.
nor light shine upon it. 18 There the prisoners are at
5 Let gloom and deep dark- ease together; they hear not
ness claim it. Let clouds dwell the voice of the taskmaster.
upon it; let the blackness of 19 The small and the great
the day terrify it. are there, and the slave is
6 That night — let thick dark- free from his master.

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 JOB

20 "Why is light given to him off?

that is in misery, and life to 8 As I have seen, those who
the bitter in soul, plow iniquity and sow trouble
21 who long for death, but it reap the same.
comes not, and dig for it more 9 By the breath of God they
than for hid treasures; perish, and by the blast of his
22 who rejoice exceedingly, anger they are consumed.
and are glad, when they find 10 The roar of the lion, the
the grave? voice of the fierce lion, the
23 Why is light given to a teeth of the young lions, are
man whose way is hid, whom broken.
God has hedged in? 11 The strong lion perishes
24 For my sighing comes as for lack of prey, and the
my bread, and my groanings whelps of the lioness are scat-
are poured out like water. tered.
25 For the thing that I fear 12 "Now a word was brought
comes upon me, and what I to me stealthily, my ear re-
dread befalls me. ceived the whisper of it.
26 I am not at ease, nor am I 13 Amid thoughts from vi-
quiet; I have no rest; but trou- sions of the night, when deep
ble comes." sleep falls on men,
14 dread came upon me, and
CHAPTER 4 trembling, which made all my
1 Then Eli'phaz the Te'manite bones shake.
answered: 15 A spirit glided past my
2 "If one ventures a word face; the hair of my flesh
with you, will you be offend- stood up.
ed? Yet who can keep from 16 It stood still, but I could
speaking? not discern its appearance. A
3 Behold, you have instructed form was before my eyes;
many, and you have strength- there was silence, then I
ened the weak hands. heard a voice:
4 Your words have upheld him 17 `Can mortal man be right-
who was stumbling, and you eous before God? Can a man
have made firm the feeble be pure before his Maker?
knees. 18 Even in his servants he
5 But now it has come to you, puts no trust, and his angels
and you are impatient; it he charges with error;
touches you, and you are dis- 19 how much more those who
mayed. dwell in houses of clay, whose
6 Is not your fear of God your foundation is in the dust, who
confidence, and the integrity are crushed before the moth.
of your ways your hope? 20 Between morning and
7 "Think now, who that was evening they are destroyed;
innocent ever perished? Or they perish for ever without
where were the upright cut any regarding it.

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 JOB

21 If their tent-cord is brought to a quick end.

plucked up within them, do 14 They meet with darkness
they not die, and that without in the daytime, and grope at
wisdom?' noonday as in the night.
15 But he saves the father-
CHAPTER 5 less from their mouth, the
1 "Call now; is there any one needy from the hand of the
who will answer you? To which mighty.
of the holy ones will you turn? 16 So the poor have hope,
2 Surely vexation kills the and injustice shuts her mouth.
fool, and jealousy slays the 17 "Behold, happy is the man
simple. whom God reproves; therefore
3 I have seen the fool taking despise not the chastening of
root, but suddenly I cursed his the Almighty.
dwelling. 18 For he wounds, but he
4 His sons are far from safe- binds up; he smites, but his
ty, they are crushed in the hands heal.
gate, and there is no one to 19 He will deliver you from
deliver them. six troubles; in seven there
5 His harvest the hungry eat, shall no evil touch you.
and he takes it even out of 20 In famine he will redeem
thorns; and the thirsty pant you from death, and in war
after his wealth. from the power of the sword.
6 For affliction does not come 21 You shall be hid from the
from the dust, nor does trou- scourge of the tongue, and
ble sprout from the ground; shall not fear destruction
7 but man is born to trouble when it comes.
as the sparks fly upward. 22 At destruction and famine
8 "As for me, I would seek you shall laugh, and shall not
God, and to God would I com- fear the beasts of the earth.
mit my cause; 23 For you shall be in league
9 who does great things and with the stones of the field,
unsearchable, marvelous and the beasts of the field
things without number: shall be at peace with you.
10 he gives rain upon the 24 You shall know that your
earth and sends waters upon tent is safe, and you shall in-
the fields; spect your fold and miss noth-
11 he sets on high those who ing.
are lowly, and those who 25 You shall know also that
mourn are lifted to safety. your descendants shall be
12 He frustrates the devices many, and your offspring as
of the crafty, so that their the grass of the earth.
hands achieve no success. 26 You shall come to your
13 He takes the wise in their grave in ripe old age, as a
own craftiness; and the shock of grain comes up to
schemes of the wily are the threshing floor in its sea-

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son. 13 In truth I have no help in

27 Lo, this we have searched me, and any resource is driv-
out; it is true. Hear, and know en from me.
it for your good." 14 "He who withholds kind-
ness from a friend forsakes
CHAPTER 6 the fear of the Almighty.
1 Then Job answered: 15 My brethren are treacher-
2 "O that my vexation were ous as a torrent-bed, as
weighed, and all my calamity freshets that pass away,
laid in the balances! 16 which are dark with ice,
3 For then it would be heav- and where the snow hides it-
ier than the sand of the sea; self.
therefore my words have been 17 In time of heat they disap-
rash. pear; when it is hot, they van-
4 For the arrows of the ish from their place.
Almighty are in me; my spirit 18 The caravans turn aside
drinks their poison; the terrors from their course; they go up
of God are arrayed against into the waste, and perish.
me. 19 The caravans of Tema
5 Does the wild ass bray look, the travelers of Sheba
when he has grass, or the ox hope.
low over his fodder? 20 They are disappointed be-
6 Can that which is tasteless cause they were confident;
be eaten without salt, or is they come thither and are
there any taste in the slime of confounded.
the purslane? 21 Such you have now be-
7 My appetite refuses to come to me; you see my
touch them; they are as food calamity, and are afraid.
that is loathsome to me. 22 Have I said, `Make me a
8 "O that I might have my re- gift'? Or, `From your wealth
quest, and that God would offer a bribe for me'?
grant my desire; 23 Or, `Deliver me from the
9 that it would please God to adversary's hand'? Or, `Ran-
crush me, that he would let som me from the hand of op-
loose his hand and cut me off! pressors'?
10 This would be my consola- 24 "Teach me, and I will be
tion; I would even exult in silent; make me understand
pain unsparing; for I have not how I have erred.
denied the words of the Holy 25 How forceful are honest
One. words! But what does reproof
11 What is my strength, that from you reprove?
I should wait? And what is my 26 Do you think that you can
end, that I should be patient? reprove words, when the
12 Is my strength the speech of a despairing man is
strength of stones, or is my wind?
flesh bronze? 27 You would even cast lots

6
 JOB

over the fatherless, and bar- 11 "Therefore I will not re-

gain over your friend. strain my mouth; I will speak
28 "But now, be pleased to in the anguish of my spirit; I
look at me; for I will not lie to will complain in the bitterness
your face. of my soul.
29 Turn, I pray, let no wrong 12 Am I the sea, or a sea
be done. Turn now, my vindi- monster, that thou settest a
cation is at stake. guard over me?
30 Is there any wrong on my 13 When I say, `My bed will
tongue? Cannot my taste dis- comfort me, my couch will
cern calamity? ease my complaint,'
14 then thou dost scare me
CHAPTER 7 with dreams and terrify me
1 "Has not man a hard ser- with visions,
vice upon earth, and are not 15 so that I would choose
his days like the days of a strangling and death rather
hireling? than my bones.
2 Like a slave who longs for 16 I loathe my life; I would
the shadow, and like a hireling not live for ever. Let me
who looks for his wages, alone, for my days are a
3 so I am allotted months of breath.
emptiness, and nights of mis- 17 What is man, that thou
ery are apportioned to me. dost make so much of him,
4 When I lie down I say, and that thou dost set thy
`When shall I arise?' But the mind upon him,
night is long, and I am full of 18 dost visit him every morn-
tossing till the dawn. ing, and test him every mo-
5 My flesh is clothed with ment?
worms and dirt; my skin hard- 19 How long wilt thou not
ens, then breaks out afresh. look away from me, nor let me
6 My days are swifter than a alone till I swallow my spittle?
weaver's shuttle, and come to 20 If I sin, what do I do to
their end without hope. thee, thou watcher of men?
7 "Remember that my life is a Why hast thou made me thy
breath; my eye will never mark? Why have I become a
again see good. burden to thee?
8 The eye of him who sees 21 Why dost thou not pardon
me will behold me no more; my transgression and take
while thy eyes are upon me, I away my iniquity? For now I
shall be gone. shall lie in the earth; thou wilt
9 As the cloud fades and van- seek me, but I shall not be."
ishes, so he who goes down to
Sheol does not come up; CHAPTER 8
10 he returns no more to his 1 Then Bildad the Shuhite an-
house, nor does his place swered:
know him any more. 2 "How long will you say

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 JOB

these things, and the words of and his shoots spread over his
your mouth be a great wind? garden.
3 Does God pervert justice? 17 His roots twine about the
Or does the Almighty pervert stoneheap; he lives among the
the right? rocks.
4 If your children have sinned 18 If he is destroyed from his
against him, he has delivered place, then it will deny him,
them into the power of their saying, `I have never seen
transgression. you.'
5 If you will seek God and 19 Behold, this is the joy of
make supplication to the his way; and out of the earth
Almighty, others will spring.
6 if you are pure and upright, 20 "Behold, God will not re-
surely then he will rouse him- ject a blameless man, nor take
self for you and reward you the hand of evildoers.
with a rightful habitation. 21 He will yet fill your mouth
7 And though your beginning with laughter, and your lips
was small, your latter days with shouting.
will be very great. 22 Those who hate you will
8 "For inquire, I pray you, of be clothed with shame, and
bygone ages, and consider the tent of the wicked will be
what the fathers have found; no more."
9 for we are but of yesterday,
and know nothing, for our CHAPTER 9
days on earth are a shadow. 1 Then Job answered:
10 Will they not teach you, 2 "Truly I know that it is so:
and tell you, and utter words But how can a man be just be-
out of their understanding? fore God?
11 "Can papyrus grow where 3 If one wished to contend
there is no marsh? Can reeds with him, one could not an-
flourish where there is no wa- swer him once in a thousand
ter? times.
12 While yet in flower and 4 He is wise in heart, and
not cut down, they wither be- mighty in strength — who has
fore any other plant. hardened himself against him,
13 Such are the paths of all and succeeded? —
who forget God; the hope of 5 he who removes mountains,
the godless man shall perish. and they know it not, when he
14 His confidence breaks in overturns them in his anger;
sunder, and his trust is a spi- 6 who shakes the earth out of
der's web. its place, and its pillars trem-
15 He leans against his ble;
house, but it does not stand; 7 who commands the sun,
he lays hold of it, but it does and it does not rise; who seals
not endure. up the stars;
16 He thrives before the sun, 8 who alone stretched out the

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heavens, and trampled the blameless and the wicked.

waves of the sea; 23 When disaster brings sud-
9 who made the Bear and Ori- den death, he mocks at the
on, the Plei'ades and the calamity of the innocent.
chambers of the south; 24 The earth is given into the
10 who does great things be- hand of the wicked; he covers
yond understanding, and mar- the faces of its judges — if it
velous things without number. is not he, who then is it?
11 Lo, he passes by me, and I 25 "My days are swifter than
see him not; he moves on, but a runner; they flee away, they
I do not perceive him. see no good.
12 Behold, he snatches away; 26 They go by like skiffs of
who can hinder him? Who will reed, like an eagle swooping
say to him, `What doest on the prey.
thou'? 27 If I say, `I will forget my
13 "God will not turn back his complaint, I will put off my
anger; beneath him bowed the sad countenance, and be of
helpers of Rahab. good cheer,'
14 How then can I answer 28 I become afraid of all my
him, choosing my words with suffering, for I know thou wilt
him? not hold me innocent.
15 Though I am innocent, I 29 I shall be condemned; why
cannot answer him; I must ap- then do I labor in vain?
peal for mercy to my accuser. 30 If I wash myself with
16 If I summoned him and he snow, and cleanse my hands
answered me, I would not be- with lye,
lieve that he was listening to 31 yet thou wilt plunge me
my voice. into a pit, and my own clothes
17 For he crushes me with a will abhor me.
tempest, and multiplies my 32 For he is not a man, as I
wounds without cause; am, that I might answer him,
18 he will not let me get my that we should come to trial
breath, but fills me with bit- together.
terness. 33 There is no umpire be-
19 If it is a contest of tween us, who might lay his
strength, behold him! If it is a hand upon us both.
matter of justice, who can 34 Let him take his rod away
summon him? from me, and let not dread of
20 Though I am innocent, my him terrify me.
own mouth would condemn 35 Then I would speak with-
me; though I am blameless, out fear of him, for I am not
he would prove me perverse. so in myself.
21 I am blameless; I regard
not myself; I loathe my life. CHAPTER 10
22 It is all one; therefore I 1 "I loathe my life; I will give
say, he destroys both the free utterance to my com-

9
 JOB

plaint; I will speak in the bit- my affliction.

terness of my soul. 16 And if I lift myself up,
2 I will say to God, Do not thou dost hunt me like a lion,
condemn me; let me know and again work wonders
why thou dost contend against against me;
me. 17 thou dost renew thy wit-
3 Does it seem good to thee nesses against me, and in-
to oppress, to despise the crease thy vexation toward
work of thy hands and favor me; thou dost bring fresh
the designs of the wicked? hosts against me.
4 Hast thou eyes of flesh? 18 "Why didst thou bring me
Dost thou see as man sees? forth from the womb? Would
5 Are thy days as the days of that I had died before any eye
man, or thy years as man's had seen me,
years, 19 and were as though I had
6 that thou dost seek out my not been, carried from the
iniquity and search for my sin, womb to the grave.
7 although thou knowest that 20 Are not the days of my life
I am not guilty, and there is few? Let me alone, that I may
none to deliver out of thy find a little comfort
hand? 21 before I go whence I shall
8 Thy hands fashioned and not return, to the land of
made me; and now thou dost gloom and deep darkness,
turn about and destroy me. 22 the land of gloom and
9 Remember that thou hast chaos, where light is as dark-
made me of clay; and wilt ness."
thou turn me to dust again?
10 Didst thou not pour me CHAPTER 11
out like milk and curdle me 1 Then Zophar the Na'amath-
like cheese? ite answered:
11 Thou didst clothe me with 2 "Should a multitude of
skin and flesh, and knit me to- words go unanswered, and a
gether with bones and sinews. man full of talk be vindicated?
12 Thou hast granted me life 3 Should your babble silence
and steadfast love; and thy men, and when you mock,
care has preserved my spirit. shall no one shame you?
13 Yet these things thou didst 4 For you say, `My doctrine is
hide in thy heart; I know that pure, and I am clean in God's
this was thy purpose. eyes.'
14 If I sin, thou dost mark 5 But oh, that God would
me, and dost not acquit me of speak, and open his lips to
my iniquity. you,
15 If I am wicked, woe to me! 6 and that he would tell you
If I am righteous, I cannot lift the secrets of wisdom! For he
up my head, for I am filled is manifold in understanding.
with disgrace and look upon Know then that God exacts of

10
 JOB

you less than your guilt de- will fail; all way of escape will
serves. be lost to them, and their
7 "Can you find out the deep hope is to breathe their last."
things of God? Can you find
out the limit of the Almighty? CHAPTER 12
8 It is higher than heaven — 1 Then Job answered:
what can you do? Deeper than 2 "No doubt you are the peo-
Sheol — what can you know? ple, and wisdom will die with
9 Its measure is longer than you.
the earth, and broader than 3 But I have understanding as
the sea. well as you; I am not inferior
10 If he passes through, and to you. Who does not know
imprisons, and calls to judg- such things as these?
ment, who can hinder him? 4 I am a laughingstock to my
11 For he knows worthless friends; I, who called upon
men; when he sees iniquity, God and he answered me, a
will he not consider it? just and blameless man, am a
12 But a stupid man will get laughingstock.
understanding, when a wild 5 In the thought of one who
ass's colt is born a man. is at ease there is contempt
13 "If you set your heart for misfortune; it is ready for
aright, you will stretch out those whose feet slip.
your hands toward him. 6 The tents of robbers are at
14 If iniquity is in your hand, peace, and those who provoke
put it far away, and let not God are secure, who bring
wickedness dwell in your their god in their hand.
tents. 7 "But ask the beasts, and
15 Surely then you will lift up they will teach you; the birds
your face without blemish; of the air, and they will tell
you will be secure, and will you;
not fear. 8 or the plants of the earth,
16 You will forget your mis- and they will teach you; and
ery; you will remember it as the fish of the sea will declare
waters that have passed away. to you.
17 And your life will be 9 Who among all these does
brighter than the noonday; its not know that the hand of the
darkness will be like the morn- LORD has done this?
ing. 10 In his hand is the life of
18 And you will have confi- every living thing and the
dence, because there is hope; breath of all mankind.
you will be protected and take 11 Does not the ear try words
your rest in safety. as the palate tastes food?
19 You will lie down, and 12 Wisdom is with the aged,
none will make you afraid; and understanding in length
many will entreat your favor. of days.
20 But the eyes of the wicked 13 "With God are wisdom and

11
 JOB

might; he has counsel and un- this, my ear has heard and un-
derstanding. derstood it.
14 If he tears down, none can 2 What you know, I also
rebuild; if he shuts a man in, know; I am not inferior to you.
none can open. 3 But I would speak to the
15 If he withholds the waters, Almighty, and I desire to ar-
they dry up; if he sends them gue my case with God.
out, they overwhelm the land. 4 As for you, you whitewash
16 With him are strength and with lies; worthless physicians
wisdom; the deceived and the are you all.
deceiver are his. 5 Oh that you would keep
17 He leads counselors away silent, and it would be your
stripped, and judges he makes wisdom!
fools. 6 Hear now my reasoning,
18 He looses the bonds of and listen to the pleadings of
kings, and binds a waistcloth my lips.
on their loins. 7 Will you speak falsely for
19 He leads priests away God, and speak deceitfully for
stripped, and overthrows the him?
mighty. 8 Will you show partiality to-
20 He deprives of speech ward him, will you plead the
those who are trusted, and case for God?
takes away the discernment of 9 Will it be well with you
the elders. when he searches you out? Or
21 He pours contempt on can you deceive him, as one
princes, and looses the belt of deceives a man?
the strong. 10 He will surely rebuke you
22 He uncovers the deeps out if in secret you show partiali-
of darkness, and brings deep ty.
darkness to light. 11 Will not his majesty terrify
23 He makes nations great, you, and the dread of him fall
and he destroys them: he en- upon you?
larges nations, and leads 12 Your maxims are proverbs
them away. of ashes, your defenses are
24 He takes away under- defenses of clay.
standing from the chiefs of 13 "Let me have silence, and
the people of the earth, and I will speak, and let come on
makes them wander in a path- me what may.
less waste. 14 I will take my flesh in my
25 They grope in the dark teeth, and put my life in my
without light; and he makes hand.
them stagger like a drunken 15 Behold, he will slay me; I
man. have no hope; yet I will de-
fend my ways to his face.
CHAPTER 13 16 This will be my salvation,
1 "Lo, my eye has seen all that a godless man shall not

12
 JOB

come before him. shadow, and continues not.

17 Listen carefully to my 3 And dost thou open thy
words, and let my declaration eyes upon such a one and
be in your ears. bring him into judgment with
18 Behold, I have prepared thee?
my case; I know that I shall be 4 Who can bring a clean thing
vindicated. out of an unclean? There is
19 Who is there that will con- not one.
tend with me? For then I 5 Since his days are deter-
would be silent and die. mined, and the number of his
20 Only grant two things to months is with thee, and thou
me, then I will not hide myself hast appointed his bounds
from thy face: that he cannot pass,
21 withdraw thy hand far 6 look away from him, and
from me, and let not dread of desist, that he may enjoy, like
thee terrify me. a hireling, his day.
22 Then call, and I will an- 7 "For there is hope for a
swer; or let me speak, and do tree, if it be cut down, that it
thou reply to me. will sprout again, and that its
23 How many are my iniqui- shoots will not cease.
ties and my sins? Make me 8 Though its root grow old in
know my transgression and the earth, and its stump die in
my sin. the ground,
24 Why dost thou hide thy 9 yet at the scent of water it
face, and count me as thy en- will bud and put forth branch-
emy? es like a young plant.
25 Wilt thou frighten a driven 10 But man dies, and is laid
leaf and pursue dry chaff? low; man breathes his last,
26 For thou writest bitter and where is he?
things against me, and makest 11 As waters fail from a lake,
me inherit the iniquities of my and a river wastes away and
youth. dries up,
27 Thou puttest my feet in 12 so man lies down and ris-
the stocks, and watchest all es not again; till the heavens
my paths; thou settest a are no more he will not awake,
bound to the soles of my feet. or be roused out of his sleep.
28 Man wastes away like a 13 Oh that thou wouldest
rotten thing, like a garment hide me in Sheol, that thou
that is moth-eaten. wouldest conceal me until thy
wrath be past, that thou
CHAPTER 14 wouldest appoint me a set
1 "Man that is born of a wom- time, and remember me!
an is of few days, and full of 14 If a man die, shall he live
trouble. again? All the days of my ser-
2 He comes forth like a flow- vice I would wait, till my re-
er, and withers; he flees like a lease should come.

13
 JOB

15 Thou wouldest call, and I your mouth, and you choose

would answer thee; thou the tongue of the crafty.
wouldest long for the work of 6 Your own mouth condemns
thy hands. you, and not I; your own lips
16 For then thou wouldest testify against you.
number my steps, thou 7 "Are you the first man that
wouldest not keep watch over was born? Or were you
my sin; brought forth before the hills?
17 my transgression would 8 Have you listened in the
be sealed up in a bag, and council of God? And do you
thou wouldest cover over my limit wisdom to yourself?
iniquity. 9 What do you know that we
18 "But the mountain falls do not know? What do you un-
and crumbles away, and the derstand that is not clear to
rock is removed from its us?
place; 10 Both the gray-haired and
19 the waters wear away the the aged are among us, older
stones; the torrents wash than your father.
away the soil of the earth; so 11 Are the consolations of
thou destroyest the hope of God too small for you, or the
man. word that deals gently with
20 Thou prevailest for ever you?
against him, and he passes; 12 Why does your heart carry
thou changest his counte- you away, and why do your
nance, and sendest him away. eyes flash,
21 His sons come to honor, 13 that you turn your spirit
and he does not know it; they against God, and let such
are brought low, and he per- words go out of your mouth?
ceives it not. 14 What is man, that he can
22 He feels only the pain of be clean? Or he that is born of
his own body, and he mourns a woman, that he can be
only for himself." righteous?
15 Behold, God puts no trust
CHAPTER 15 in his holy ones, and the
1 Then Eli'phaz the Te'manite heavens are not clean in his
answered: sight;
2 "Should a wise man answer 16 how much less one who is
with windy knowledge, and fill abominable and corrupt, a
himself with the east wind? man who drinks iniquity like
3 Should he argue in unprof- water!
itable talk, or in words with 17 "I will show you, hear me;
which he can do no good? and what I have seen I will de-
4 But you are doing away clare
with the fear of God, and hin- 18 (what wise men have told,
dering meditation before God. and their fathers have not hid-
5 For your iniquity teaches den,

14
 JOB

19 to whom alone the land ness, deceiving himself; for

was given, and no stranger emptiness will be his recom-
passed among them). pense.
20 The wicked man writhes in 32 It will be paid in full be-
pain all his days, through all fore his time, and his branch
the years that are laid up for will not be green.
the ruthless. 33 He will shake off his un-
21 Terrifying sounds are in ripe grape, like the vine, and
his ears; in prosperity the de- cast off his blossom, like the
stroyer will come upon him. olive tree.
22 He does not believe that 34 For the company of the
he will return out of darkness, godless is barren, and fire
and he is destined for the consumes the tents of bribery.
sword. 35 They conceive mischief
23 He wanders abroad for and bring forth evil and their
bread, saying, `Where is it?' heart prepares deceit."
He knows that a day of dark-
ness is ready at his hand; CHAPTER 16
24 distress and anguish terri- 1 Then Job answered:
fy him; they prevail against 2 "I have heard many such
him, like a king prepared for things; miserable comforters
battle. are you all.
25 Because he has stretched 3 Shall windy words have an
forth his hand against God, end? Or what provokes you
and bids defiance to the that you answer?
Almighty, 4 I also could speak as you
26 running stubbornly do, if you were in my place; I
against him with a thick- could join words together
bossed shield; against you, and shake my
27 because he has covered head at you.
his face with his fat, and gath- 5 I could strengthen you with
ered fat upon his loins, my mouth, and the solace of
28 and has lived in desolate my lips would assuage your
cities, in houses which no man pain.
should inhabit, which were 6 "If I speak, my pain is not
destined to become heaps of assuaged, and if I forbear,
ruins; how much of it leaves me?
29 he will not be rich, and his 7 Surely now God has worn
wealth will not endure, nor me out; he has made desolate
will he strike root in the earth; all my company.
30 he will not escape from 8 And he has shriveled me
darkness; the flame will dry up, which is a witness against
up his shoots, and his blossom me; and my leanness has
will be swept away by the risen up against me, it testi-
wind. fies to my face.
31 Let him not trust in empti- 9 He has torn me in his

15
 JOB

wrath, and hated me; he has come I shall go the way

gnashed his teeth at me; my whence I shall not return.
adversary sharpens his eyes
against me. CHAPTER 17
10 Men have gaped at me 1 My spirit is broken, my days
with their mouth, they have are extinct, the grave is ready
struck me insolently upon the for me.
cheek, they mass themselves 2 Surely there are mockers
together against me. about me, and my eye dwells
11 God gives me up to the on their provocation.
ungodly, and casts me into 3 "Lay down a pledge for me
the hands of the wicked. with thyself; who is there that
12 I was at ease, and he will give surety for me?
broke me asunder; he seized 4 Since thou hast closed their
me by the neck and dashed minds to understanding,
me to pieces; he set me up as therefore thou wilt not let
his target, them triumph.
13 his archers surround me. 5 He who informs against his
He slashes open my kidneys, friends to get a share of their
and does not spare; he pours property, the eyes of his chil-
out my gall on the ground. dren will fail.
14 He breaks me with breach 6 "He has made me a byword
upon breach; he runs upon me of the peoples, and I am one
like a warrior. before whom men spit.
15 I have sewed sackcloth 7 My eye has grown dim from
upon my skin, and have laid grief, and all my members are
my strength in the dust. like a shadow.
16 My face is red with weep- 8 Upright men are appalled at
ing, and on my eyelids is deep this, and the innocent stirs
darkness; himself up against the god-
17 although there is no vio- less.
lence in my hands, and my 9 Yet the righteous holds to
prayer is pure. his way, and he that has clean
18 "O earth, cover not my hands grows stronger and
blood, and let my cry find no stronger.
resting place. 10 But you, come on again,
19 Even now, behold, my wit- all of you, and I shall not find
ness is in heaven, and he that a wise man among you.
vouches for me is on high. 11 My days are past, my
20 My friends scorn me; my plans are broken off, the de-
eye pours out tears to God, sires of my heart.
21 that he would maintain 12 They make night into day;
the right of a man with God, `The light,' they say, `is near
like that of a man with his to the darkness.'
neighbor. 13 If I look for Sheol as my
22 For when a few years have house, if I spread my couch in

16
 JOB

darkness, 13 By disease his skin is con-

14 if I say to the pit, `You are sumed, the first-born of death
my father,' and to the worm, consumes his limbs.
`My mother,' or `My sister,' 14 He is torn from the tent in
15 where then is my hope? which he trusted, and is
Who will see my hope? brought to the king of terrors.
16 Will it go down to the bars 15 In his tent dwells that
of Sheol? Shall we descend to- which is none of his; brim-
gether into the dust?" stone is scattered upon his
habitation.
CHAPTER 18 16 His roots dry up beneath,
1 Then Bildad the Shuhite an- and his branches wither
swered: above.
2 "How long will you hunt for 17 His memory perishes from
words? Consider, and then we the earth, and he has no name
will speak. in the street.
3 Why are we counted as cat- 18 He is thrust from light into
tle? Why are we stupid in your darkness, and driven out of
sight? the world.
4 You who tear yourself in 19 He has no offspring or de-
your anger, shall the earth be scendant among his people,
forsaken for you, or the rock and no survivor where he used
be removed out of its place? to live.
5 "Yea, the light of the wicked 20 They of the west are ap-
is put out, and the flame of palled at his day, and horror
his fire does not shine. seizes them of the east.
6 The light is dark in his tent, 21 Surely such are the
and his lamp above him is put dwellings of the ungodly, such
out. is the place of him who knows
7 His strong steps are short- not God."
ened and his own schemes
throw him down. CHAPTER 19
8 For he is cast into a net by 1 Then Job answered:
his own feet, and he walks on 2 "How long will you torment
a pitfall. me, and break me in pieces
9 A trap seizes him by the with words?
heel, a snare lays hold of him. 3 These ten times you have
10 A rope is hid for him in cast reproach upon me; are
the ground, a trap for him in you not ashamed to wrong
the path. me?
11 Terrors frighten him on ev- 4 And even if it be true that I
ery side, and chase him at his have erred, my error remains
heels. with myself.
12 His strength is hunger-bit- 5 If indeed you magnify your-
ten, and calamity is ready for selves against me, and make
his stumbling. my humiliation an argument

17
 JOB

against me, 19 All my intimate friends ab-

6 know then that God has put hor me, and those whom I
me in the wrong, and closed loved have turned against me.
his net about me. 20 My bones cleave to my
7 Behold, I cry out, skin and to my flesh, and I
`Violence!' but I am not an- have escaped by the skin of
swered; I call aloud, but there my teeth.
is no justice. 21 Have pity on me, have
8 He has walled up my way, pity on me, O you my friends,
so that I cannot pass, and he for the hand of God has
has set darkness upon my touched me!
paths. 22 Why do you, like God, pur-
9 He has stripped from me sue me? Why are you not sat-
my glory, and taken the crown isfied with my flesh?
from my head. 23 "Oh that my words were
10 He breaks me down on ev- written! Oh that they were in-
ery side, and I am gone, and scribed in a book!
my hope has he pulled up like 24 Oh that with an iron pen
a tree. and lead they were graven in
11 He has kindled his wrath the rock for ever!
against me, and counts me as 25 For I know that my Re-
his adversary. deemer lives, and at last he
12 His troops come on to- will stand upon the earth;
gether; they have cast up 26 and after my skin has
siegeworks against me, and been thus destroyed, then
encamp round about my tent. from my flesh I shall see God,
13 "He has put my brethren 27 whom I shall see on my
far from me, and my acquain- side, and my eyes shall be-
tances are wholly estranged hold, and not another. My
from me. heart faints within me!
14 My kinsfolk and my close 28 If you say, `How we will
friends have failed me; pursue him!' and, `The root of
15 the guests in my house the matter is found in him';
have forgotten me; my maid- 29 be afraid of the sword, for
servants count me as a wrath brings the punishment
stranger; I have become an of the sword, that you may
alien in their eyes. know there is a judgment."
16 I call to my servant, but
he gives me no answer; I must CHAPTER 20
beseech him with my mouth. 1 Then Zophar the Na'amath-
17 I am repulsive to my wife, ite answered:
loathsome to the sons of my 2 "Therefore my thoughts an-
own mother. swer me, because of my haste
18 Even young children de- within me.
spise me; when I rise they talk 3 I hear censure which insults
against me. me, and out of my under-

18
 JOB

standing a spirit answers me. 18 He will give back the fruit

4 Do you not know this from of his toil, and will not swal-
of old, since man was placed low it down; from the profit of
upon earth, his trading he will get no en-
5 that the exulting of the joyment.
wicked is short, and the joy of 19 For he has crushed and
the godless but for a moment? abandoned the poor, he has
6 Though his height mount up seized a house which he did
to the heavens, and his head not build.
reach to the clouds, 20 "Because his greed knew
7 he will perish for ever like no rest, he will not save any-
his own dung; those who have thing in which he delights.
seen him will say, `Where is 21 There was nothing left af-
he?' ter he had eaten; therefore his
8 He will fly away like a prosperity will not endure.
dream, and not be found; he 22 In the fulness of his suffi-
will be chased away like a vi- ciency he will be in straits; all
sion of the night. the force of misery will come
9 The eye which saw him will upon him.
see him no more, nor will his 23 To fill his belly to the full
place any more behold him. God will send his fierce anger
10 His children will seek the into him, and rain it upon him
favor of the poor, and his as his food.
hands will give back his 24 He will flee from an iron
wealth. weapon; a bronze arrow will
11 His bones are full of strike him through.
youthful vigor, but it will lie 25 It is drawn forth and
down with him in the dust. comes out of his body, the
12 "Though wickedness is glittering point comes out of
sweet in his mouth, though he his gall; terrors come upon
hides it under his tongue, him.
13 though he is loath to let it 26 Utter darkness is laid up
go, and holds it in his mouth, for his treasures; a fire not
14 yet his food is turned in blown upon will devour him;
his stomach; it is the gall of what is left in his tent will be
asps within him. consumed.
15 He swallows down riches 27 The heavens will reveal
and vomits them up again; his iniquity, and the earth will
God casts them out of his bel- rise up against him.
ly. 28 The possessions of his
16 He will suck the poison of house will be carried away,
asps; the tongue of a viper dragged off in the day of
will kill him. God's wrath.
17 He will not look upon the 29 This is the wicked man's
rivers, the streams flowing portion from God, the heritage
with honey and curds. decreed for him by God."

19
 JOB

pray to him?'
CHAPTER 21 16 Behold, is not their pros-
1 Then Job answered: perity in their hand? The
2 "Listen carefully to my counsel of the wicked is far
words, and let this be your from me.
consolation. 17 "How often is it that the
3 Bear with me, and I will lamp of the wicked is put out?
speak, and after I have spo- That their calamity comes
ken, mock on. upon them? That God distrib-
4 As for me, is my complaint utes pains in his anger?
against man? Why should I not 18 That they are like straw
be impatient? before the wind, and like chaff
5 Look at me, and be ap- that the storm carries away?
palled, and lay your hand 19 You say, `God stores up
upon your mouth. their iniquity for their sons.'
6 When I think of it I am dis- Let him recompense it to
mayed, and shuddering seizes themselves, that they may
my flesh. know it.
7 Why do the wicked live, 20 Let their own eyes see
reach old age, and grow their destruction, and let them
mighty in power? drink of the wrath of the
8 Their children are estab- Almighty.
lished in their presence, and 21 For what do they care for
their offspring before their their houses after them, when
eyes. the number of their months is
9 Their houses are safe from cut off?
fear, and no rod of God is 22 Will any teach God knowl-
upon them. edge, seeing that he judges
10 Their bull breeds without those that are on high?
fail; their cow calves, and 23 One dies in full prosperity,
does not cast her calf. being wholly at ease and se-
11 They send forth their little cure,
ones like a flock, and their 24 his body full of fat and the
children dance. marrow of his bones moist.
12 They sing to the tam- 25 Another dies in bitterness
bourine and the lyre, and re- of soul, never having tasted of
joice to the sound of the pipe. good.
13 They spend their days in 26 They lie down alike in the
prosperity, and in peace they dust, and the worms cover
go down to Sheol. them.
14 They say to God, `Depart 27 "Behold, I know your
from us! We do not desire the thoughts, and your schemes
knowledge of thy ways. to wrong me.
15 What is the Almighty, that 28 For you say, `Where is the
we should serve him? And house of the prince? Where is
what profit do we get if we the tent in which the wicked

20
 JOB

dwelt?' hungry.
29 Have you not asked those 8 The man with power pos-
who travel the roads, and do sessed the land, and the fa-
you not accept their testimony vored man dwelt in it.
30 that the wicked man is 9 You have sent widows away
spared in the day of calamity, empty, and the arms of the fa-
that he is rescued in the day therless were crushed.
of wrath? 10 Therefore snares are
31 Who declares his way to round about you, and sudden
his face, and who requites him terror overwhelms you;
for what he has done? 11 your light is darkened, so
32 When he is borne to the that you cannot see, and a
grave, watch is kept over his flood of water covers you.
tomb. 12 "Is not God high in the
33 The clods of the valley are heavens? See the highest
sweet to him; all men follow stars, how lofty they are!
after him, and those who go 13 Therefore you say, `What
before him are innumerable. does God know? Can he judge
34 How then will you comfort through the deep darkness?
me with empty nothings? 14 Thick clouds enwrap him,
There is nothing left of your so that he does not see, and
answers but falsehood." he walks on the vault of heav-
en.'
CHAPTER 22 15 Will you keep to the old
1 Then Eli'phaz the Te'manite way which wicked men have
answered: trod?
2 "Can a man be profitable to 16 They were snatched away
God? Surely he who is wise is before their time; their foun-
profitable to himself. dation was washed away.
3 Is it any pleasure to the 17 They said to God, `Depart
Almighty if you are righteous, from us,' and `What can the
or is it gain to him if you make Almighty do to us?'
your ways blameless? 18 Yet he filled their houses
4 Is it for your fear of him with good things — but the
that he reproves you, and en- counsel of the wicked is far
ters into judgment with you? from me.
5 Is not your wickedness 19 The righteous see it and
great? There is no end to your are glad; the innocent laugh
iniquities. them to scorn,
6 For you have exacted 20 saying, `Surely our adver-
pledges of your brothers for saries are cut off, and what
nothing, and stripped the they left the fire has con-
naked of their clothing. sumed.'
7 You have given no water to 21 "Agree with God, and be
the weary to drink, and you at peace; thereby good will
have withheld bread from the come to you.

21
 JOB

22 Receive instruction from 7 There an upright man could

his mouth, and lay up his reason with him, and I should
words in your heart. be acquitted for ever by my
23 If you return to the judge.
Almighty and humble yourself, 8 "Behold, I go forward, but
if you remove unrighteousness he is not there; and backward,
far from your tents, but I cannot perceive him;
24 if you lay gold in the dust, 9 on the left hand I seek him,
and gold of Ophir among the but I cannot behold him; I turn
stones of the torrent bed, to the right hand, but I cannot
25 and if the Almighty is your see him.
gold, and your precious silver; 10 But he knows the way that
26 then you will delight your- I take; when he has tried me, I
self in the Almighty, and lift shall come forth as gold.
up your face to God. 11 My foot has held fast to
27 You will make your prayer his steps; I have kept his way
to him, and he will hear you; and have not turned aside.
and you will pay your vows. 12 I have not departed from
28 You will decide on a mat- the commandment of his lips;
ter, and it will be established I have treasured in my bosom
for you, and light will shine on the words of his mouth.
your ways. 13 But he is unchangeable
29 For God abases the proud, and who can turn him? What
but he saves the lowly. he desires, that he does.
30 He delivers the innocent 14 For he will complete what
man; you will be delivered he appoints for me; and many
through the cleanness of your such things are in his mind.
hands." 15 Therefore I am terrified at
his presence; when I consider,
CHAPTER 23 I am in dread of him.
1 Then Job answered: 16 God has made my heart
2 "Today also my complaint is faint; the Almighty has terri-
bitter, his hand is heavy in fied me;
spite of my groaning. 17 for I am hemmed in by
3 Oh, that I knew where I darkness, and thick darkness
might find him, that I might covers my face.
come even to his seat!
4 I would lay my case before CHAPTER 24
him and fill my mouth with ar- 1 "Why are not times of judg-
guments. ment kept by the Almighty,
5 I would learn what he would and why do those who know
answer me, and understand him never see his days?
what he would say to me. 2 Men remove landmarks;
6 Would he contend with me they seize flocks and pasture
in the greatness of his power? them.
No; he would give heed to me. 3 They drive away the ass of

22
 JOB

the fatherless; they take the saying, `No eye will see me';
widow's ox for a pledge. and he disguises his face.
4 They thrust the poor off the 16 In the dark they dig
road; the poor of the earth all through houses; by day they
hide themselves. shut themselves up; they do
5 Behold, like wild asses in not know the light.
the desert they go forth to 17 For deep darkness is
their toil, seeking prey in the morning to all of them; for
wilderness as food for their they are friends with the ter-
children. rors of deep darkness.
6 They gather their fodder in 18 "You say, "They are swiftly
the field and they glean the carried away upon the face of
vineyard of the wicked man. the waters; their portion is
7 They lie all night naked, cursed in the land; no treader
without clothing, and have no turns toward their vineyards.
covering in the cold. 19 Drought and heat snatch
8 They are wet with the rain away the snow waters; so
of the mountains, and cling to does Sheol those who have
the rock for want of shelter. sinned.
9 (There are those who 20 The squares of the town
snatch the fatherless child forget them; their name is no
from the breast, and take in longer remembered; so
pledge the infant of the poor.) wickedness is broken like a
10 They go about naked, tree.'
without clothing; hungry, they 21 "They feed on the barren
carry the sheaves; childless woman, and do no
11 among the olive rows of good to the widow.
the wicked they make oil; they 22 Yet God prolongs the life
tread the wine presses, but of the mighty by his power;
suffer thirst. they rise up when they de-
12 From out of the city the spair of life.
dying groan, and the soul of 23 He gives them security,
the wounded cries for help; and they are supported; and
yet God pays no attention to his eyes are upon their ways.
their prayer. 24 They are exalted a little
13 "There are those who while, and then are gone; they
rebel against the light, who wither and fade like the mal-
are not acquainted with its low; they are cut off like the
ways, and do not stay in its heads of grain.
paths. 25 If it is not so, who will
14 The murderer rises in the prove me a liar, and show that
dark, that he may kill the poor there is nothing in what I
and needy; and in the night say?"
he is as a thief.
15 The eye of the adulterer CHAPTER 25
also waits for the twilight, 1 Then Bildad the Shuhite an-

23
 JOB

swered: 10 He has described a circle

2 "Dominion and fear are with upon the face of the waters at
God; he makes peace in his the boundary between light
high heaven. and darkness.
3 Is there any number to his 11 The pillars of heaven
armies? Upon whom does his tremble, and are astounded at
light not arise? his rebuke.
4 How then can man be right- 12 By his power he stilled the
eous before God? How can he sea; by his understanding he
who is born of woman be smote Rahab.
clean? 13 By his wind the heavens
5 Behold, even the moon is were made fair; his hand
not bright and the stars are pierced the fleeing serpent.
not clean in his sight; 14 Lo, these are but the out-
6 how much less man, who is skirts of his ways; and how
a maggot, and the son of man, small a whisper do we hear of
who is a worm!" him! But the thunder of his
power who can understand?"
CHAPTER 26
1 Then Job answered: CHAPTER 27
2 "How you have helped him 1 And Job again took up his
who has no power! How you discourse, and said:
have saved the arm that has 2 "As God lives, who has tak-
no strength! en away my right, and the
3 How you have counseled Almighty, who has made my
him who has no wisdom, and soul bitter;
plentifully declared sound 3 as long as my breath is in
knowledge! me, and the spirit of God is in
4 With whose help have you my nostrils;
uttered words, and whose 4 my lips will not speak false-
spirit has come forth from hood, and my tongue will not
you? utter deceit.
5 The shades below tremble, 5 Far be it from me to say
the waters and their inhabi- that you are right; till I die I
tants. will not put away my integrity
6 Sheol is naked before God, from me.
and Abaddon has no covering. 6 I hold fast my righteous-
7 He stretches out the north ness, and will not let it go; my
over the void, and hangs the heart does not reproach me
earth upon nothing. for any of my days.
8 He binds up the waters in 7 "Let my enemy be as the
his thick clouds, and the cloud wicked, and let him that rises
is not rent under them. up against me be as the un-
9 He covers the face of the righteous.
moon, and spreads over it his 8 For what is the hope of the
cloud. godless when God cuts him

24
 JOB

off, when God takes away his 22 It hurls at him without

life? pity; he flees from its power in
9 Will God hear his cry, when headlong flight.
trouble comes upon him? 23 It claps its hands at him,
10 Will he take delight in the and hisses at him from its
Almighty? Will he call upon place.
God at all times?
11 I will teach you concern- CHAPTER 28
ing the hand of God; what is 1 "Surely there is a mine for
with the Almighty I will not silver, and a place for gold
conceal. which they refine.
12 Behold, all of you have 2 Iron is taken out of the
seen it yourselves; why then earth, and copper is smelted
have you become altogether from the ore.
vain? 3 Men put an end to dark-
13 "This is the portion of a ness, and search out to the
wicked man with God, and the farthest bound the ore in
heritage which oppressors re- gloom and deep darkness.
ceive from the Almighty: 4 They open shafts in a valley
14 If his children are multi- away from where men live;
plied, it is for the sword; and they are forgotten by travel-
his offspring have not enough ers, they hang afar from men,
to eat. they swing to and fro.
15 Those who survive him the 5 As for the earth, out of it
pestilence buries, and their comes bread; but underneath
widows make no lamentation. it is turned up as by fire.
16 Though he heap up silver 6 Its stones are the place of
like dust, and pile up clothing sapphires, and it has dust of
like clay; gold.
17 he may pile it up, but the 7 "That path no bird of prey
just will wear it, and the inno- knows, and the falcon's eye
cent will divide the silver. has not seen it.
18 The house which he builds 8 The proud beasts have not
is like a spider's web, like a trodden it; the lion has not
booth which a watchman passed over it.
makes. 9 "Man puts his hand to the
19 He goes to bed rich, but flinty rock, and overturns
will do so no more; he opens mountains by the roots.
his eyes, and his wealth is 10 He cuts out channels in
gone. the rocks, and his eye sees
20 Terrors overtake him like a every precious thing.
flood; in the night a whirlwind 11 He binds up the streams
carries him off. so that they do not trickle,
21 The east wind lifts him up and the thing that is hid he
and he is gone; it sweeps him brings forth to light.
out of his place. 12 "But where shall wisdom

25
 JOB

be found? And where is the and searched it out.

place of understanding? 28 And he said to man, `Be-
13 Man does not know the hold, the fear of the Lord, that
way to it, and it is not found is wisdom; and to depart from
in the land of the living. evil is understanding.'"
14 The deep says, `It is not
in me,' and the sea says, `It is CHAPTER 29
not with me.' 1 And Job again took up his
15 It cannot be gotten for discourse, and said:
gold, and silver cannot be 2 "Oh, that I were as in the
weighed as its price. months of old, as in the days
16 It cannot be valued in the when God watched over me;
gold of Ophir, in precious onyx 3 when his lamp shone upon
or sapphire. my head, and by his light I
17 Gold and glass cannot walked through darkness;
equal it, nor can it be ex- 4 as I was in my autumn
changed for jewels of fine days, when the friendship of
gold. God was upon my tent;
18 No mention shall be made 5 when the Almighty was yet
of coral or of crystal; the price with me, when my children
of wisdom is above pearls. were about me;
19 The topaz of Ethiopia can- 6 when my steps were
not compare with it, nor can it washed with milk, and the
be valued in pure gold. rock poured out for me
20 "Whence then comes wis- streams of oil!
dom? And where is the place 7 When I went out to the gate
of understanding? of the city, when I prepared
21 It is hid from the eyes of my seat in the square,
all living, and concealed from 8 the young men saw me and
the birds of the air. withdrew, and the aged rose
22 Abaddon and Death say, and stood;
`We have heard a rumor of it 9 the princes refrained from
with our ears.' talking, and laid their hand on
23 "God understands the way their mouth;
to it, and he knows its place. 10 the voice of the nobles
24 For he looks to the ends of was hushed, and their tongue
the earth, and sees everything cleaved to the roof of their
under the heavens. mouth.
25 When he gave to the wind 11 When the ear heard, it
its weight, and meted out the called me blessed, and when
waters by measure; the eye saw, it approved;
26 when he made a decree 12 because I delivered the
for the rain, and a way for the poor who cried, and the fa-
lightning of the thunder; therless who had none to help
27 then he saw it and de- him.
clared it; he established it, 13 The blessing of him who

26
 JOB

was about to perish came have disdained to set with the

upon me, and I caused the dogs of my flock.
widow's heart to sing for joy. 2 What could I gain from the
14 I put on righteousness, strength of their hands, men
and it clothed me; my justice whose vigor is gone?
was like a robe and a turban. 3 Through want and hard
15 I was eyes to the blind, hunger they gnaw the dry and
and feet to the lame. desolate ground;
16 I was a father to the poor, 4 they pick mallow and the
and I searched out the cause leaves of bushes, and to warm
of him whom I did not know. themselves the roots of the
17 I broke the fangs of the broom.
unrighteous, and made him 5 They are driven out from
drop his prey from his teeth. among men; they shout after
18 Then I thought, `I shall die them as after a thief.
in my nest, and I shall multi- 6 In the gullies of the tor-
ply my days as the sand, rents they must dwell, in
19 my roots spread out to the holes of the earth and of the
waters, with the dew all night rocks.
on my branches, 7 Among the bushes they
20 my glory fresh with me, bray; under the nettles they
and my bow ever new in my huddle together.
hand.' 8 A senseless, a disreputable
21 "Men listened to me, and brood, they have been
waited, and kept silence for whipped out of the land.
my counsel. 9 "And now I have become
22 After I spoke they did not their song, I am a byword to
speak again, and my word them.
dropped upon them. 10 They abhor me, they keep
23 They waited for me as for aloof from me; they do not
the rain; and they opened hesitate to spit at the sight of
their mouths as for the spring me.
rain. 11 Because God has loosed
24 I smiled on them when my cord and humbled me,
they had no confidence; and they have cast off restraint in
the light of my countenance my presence.
they did not cast down. 12 On my right hand the rab-
25 I chose their way, and sat ble rise, they drive me forth,
as chief, and I dwelt like a they cast up against me their
king among his troops, like ways of destruction.
one who comforts mourners. 13 They break up my path,
they promote my calamity; no
CHAPTER 30 one restrains them.
1 "But now they make sport 14 As through a wide breach
of me, men who are younger they come; amid the crash
than I, whose fathers I would they roll on.

27
 JOB

15 Terrors are turned upon not by the sun; I stand up in

me; my honor is pursued as the assembly, and cry for
by the wind, and my prosperi- help.
ty has passed away like a 29 I am a brother of jackals,
cloud. and a companion of ostriches.
16 "And now my soul is 30 My skin turns black and
poured out within me; days of falls from me, and my bones
affliction have taken hold of burn with heat.
me. 31 My lyre is turned to
17 The night racks my bones, mourning, and my pipe to the
and the pain that gnaws me voice of those who weep.
takes no rest.
18 With violence it seizes my CHAPTER 31
garment; it binds me about 1 "I have made a covenant
like the collar of my tunic. with my eyes; how then could
19 God has cast me into the I look upon a virgin?
mire, and I have become like 2 What would be my portion
dust and ashes. from God above, and my her-
20 I cry to thee and thou dost itage from the Almighty on
not answer me; I stand, and high?
thou dost not heed me. 3 Does not calamity befall
21 Thou hast turned cruel to the unrighteous, and disaster
me; with the might of thy the workers of iniquity?
hand thou dost persecute me. 4 Does not he see my ways,
22 Thou liftest me up on the and number all my steps?
wind, thou makest me ride on 5 "If I have walked with false-
it, and thou tossest me about hood, and my foot has has-
in the roar of the storm. tened to deceit;
23 Yea, I know that thou wilt 6 (Let me be weighed in a
bring me to death, and to the just balance, and let God
house appointed for all living. know my integrity!)
24 "Yet does not one in a 7 if my step has turned aside
heap of ruins stretch out his from the way, and my heart
hand, and in his disaster cry has gone after my eyes, and if
for help? any spot has cleaved to my
25 Did not I weep for him hands;
whose day was hard? Was not 8 then let me sow, and anoth-
my soul grieved for the poor? er eat; and let what grows for
26 But when I looked for me be rooted out.
good, evil came; and when I 9 "If my heart has been en-
waited for light, darkness ticed to a woman, and I have
came. lain in wait at my neighbor's
27 My heart is in turmoil, and door;
is never still; days of affliction 10 then let my wife grind for
come to meet me. another, and let others bow
28 I go about blackened, but down upon her.

28
 JOB

11 For that would be a 23 For I was in terror of

heinous crime; that would be calamity from God, and I could
an iniquity to be punished by not have faced his majesty.
the judges; 24 "If I have made gold my
12 for that would be a fire trust, or called fine gold my
which consumes unto Abad- confidence;
don, and it would burn to the 25 if I have rejoiced because
root all my increase. my wealth was great, or be-
13 "If I have rejected the cause my hand had gotten
cause of my manservant or much;
my maidservant, when they 26 if I have looked at the sun
brought a complaint against when it shone, or the moon
me; moving in splendor,
14 what then shall I do when 27 and my heart has been se-
God rises up? When he makes cretly enticed, and my mouth
inquiry, what shall I answer has kissed my hand;
him? 28 this also would be an iniq-
15 Did not he who made me uity to be punished by the
in the womb make him? And judges, for I should have been
did not one fashion us in the false to God above.
womb? 29 "If I have rejoiced at the
16 "If I have withheld any- ruin of him that hated me, or
thing that the poor desired, or exulted when evil overtook
have caused the eyes of the him
widow to fail, 30 (I have not let my mouth
17 or have eaten my morsel sin by asking for his life with a
alone, and the fatherless has curse);
not eaten of it 31 if the men of my tent have
18 (for from his youth I not said, `Who is there that
reared him as a father, and has not been filled with his
from his mother's womb I meat?'
guided him); 32 (the sojourner has not
19 if I have seen any one lodged in the street; I have
perish for lack of clothing, or opened my doors to the way-
a poor man without covering; farer);
20 if his loins have not 33 if I have concealed my
blessed me, and if he was not transgressions from men, by
warmed with the fleece of my hiding my iniquity in my bo-
sheep; som,
21 if I have raised my hand 34 because I stood in great
against the fatherless, be- fear of the multitude, and the
cause I saw help in the gate; contempt of families terrified
22 then let my shoulder me, so that I kept silence, and
blade fall from my shoulder, did not go out of doors,
and let my arm be broken 35 Oh, that I had one to hear
from its socket. me! (Here is my signature! let

29
 JOB

the Almighty answer me!) Oh, was timid and afraid to de-
that I had the indictment writ- clare my opinion to you.
ten by my adversary! 7 I said, `Let days speak, and
36 Surely I would carry it on many years teach wisdom.'
my shoulder; I would bind it 8 But it is the spirit in a man,
on me as a crown; the breath of the Almighty,
37 I would give him an ac- that makes him understand.
count of all my steps; like a 9 It is not the old that are
prince I would approach him. wise, nor the aged that under-
38 "If my land has cried out stand what is right.
against me, and its furrows 10 Therefore I say, `Listen to
have wept together; me; let me also declare my
39 if I have eaten its yield opinion.'
without payment, and caused 11 "Behold, I waited for your
the death of its owners; words, I listened for your wise
40 let thorns grow instead of sayings, while you searched
wheat, and foul weeds instead out what to say.
of barley." The words of Job 12 I gave you my attention,
are ended. and, behold, there was none
that confuted Job, or that an-
CHAPTER 32 swered his words, among you.
1 So these three men ceased 13 Beware lest you say, `We
to answer Job, because he was have found wisdom; God may
righteous in his own eyes. vanquish him, not man.'
2 Then Eli'hu the son of 14 He has not directed his
Bar'achel the Buzite, of the words against me, and I will
family of Ram, became angry. not answer him with your
He was angry at Job because speeches.
he justified himself rather 15 "They are discomfited,
than God; they answer no more; they
3 he was angry also at Job's have not a word to say.
three friends because they 16 And shall I wait, because
had found no answer, al- they do not speak, because
though they had declared Job they stand there, and answer
to be in the wrong. no more?
4 Now Eli'hu had waited to 17 I also will give my answer;
speak to Job because they I also will declare my opinion.
were older than he. 18 For I am full of words, the
5 And when Eli'hu saw that spirit within me constrains
there was no answer in the me.
mouth of these three men, he 19 Behold, my heart is like
became angry. wine that has no vent; like
6 And Eli'hu the son of new wineskins, it is ready to
Bar'achel the Buzite an- burst.
swered: "I am young in years, 20 I must speak, that I may
and you are aged; therefore I find relief; I must open my lips

30
 JOB

and answer. 13 Why do you contend

21 I will not show partiality to against him, saying, `He will
any person or use flattery to- answer none of my words'?
ward any man. 14 For God speaks in one
22 For I do not know how to way, and in two, though man
flatter, else would my Maker does not perceive it.
soon put an end to me. 15 In a dream, in a vision of
the night, when deep sleep
CHAPTER 33 falls upon men, while they
1 "But now, hear my speech, slumber on their beds,
O Job, and listen to all my 16 then he opens the ears of
words. men, and terrifies them with
2 Behold, I open my mouth; warnings,
the tongue in my mouth 17 that he may turn man
speaks. aside from his deed, and cut
3 My words declare the up- off pride from man;
rightness of my heart, and 18 he keeps back his soul
what my lips know they speak from the Pit, his life from per-
sincerely. ishing by the sword.
4 The spirit of God has made 19 "Man is also chastened
me, and the breath of the with pain upon his bed, and
Almighty gives me life. with continual strife in his
5 Answer me, if you can; set bones;
your words in order before 20 so that his life loathes
me; take your stand. bread, and his appetite dainty
6 Behold, I am toward God as food.
you are; I too was formed 21 His flesh is so wasted
from a piece of clay. away that it cannot be seen;
7 Behold, no fear of me need and his bones which were not
terrify you; my pressure will seen stick out.
not be heavy upon you. 22 His soul draws near the
8 "Surely, you have spoken in Pit, and his life to those who
my hearing, and I have heard bring death.
the sound of your words. 23 If there be for him an an-
9 You say, `I am clean, with- gel, a mediator, one of the
out transgression; I am pure, thousand, to declare to man
and there is no iniquity in me. what is right for him;
10 Behold, he finds occasions 24 and he is gracious to him,
against me, he counts me as and says, `Deliver him from
his enemy; going down into the Pit, I have
11 he puts my feet in the found a ransom;
stocks, and watches all my 25 let his flesh become fresh
paths.' with youth; let him return to
12 "Behold, in this you are the days of his youthful vigor';
not right. I will answer you. 26 then man prays to God,
God is greater than man. and he accepts him, he comes

31
 JOB

into his presence with joy. He wicked men?

recounts to men his salvation, 9 For he has said, `It profits a
27 and he sings before men, man nothing that he should
and says: `I sinned and per- take delight in God.'
verted what was right, and it 10 "Therefore, hear me, you
was not requited to me. men of understanding, far be
28 He has redeemed my soul it from God that he should do
from going down into the Pit, wickedness, and from the
and my life shall see the Almighty that he should do
light.' wrong.
29 "Behold, God does all 11 For according to the work
these things, twice, three of a man he will requite him,
times, with a man, and according to his ways he
30 to bring back his soul from will make it befall him.
the Pit, that he may see the 12 Of a truth, God will not do
light of life. wickedly, and the Almighty
31 Give heed, O Job, listen to will not pervert justice.
me; be silent, and I will speak. 13 Who gave him charge over
32 If you have anything to the earth and who laid on him
say, answer me; speak, for I the whole world?
desire to justify you. 14 If he should take back his
33 If not, listen to me; be spirit to himself, and gather to
silent, and I will teach you himself his breath,
wisdom." 15 all flesh would perish to-
gether, and man would return
CHAPTER 34 to dust.
1 Then Eli'hu said: 16 "If you have understand-
2 "Hear my words, you wise ing, hear this; listen to what I
men, and give ear to me, you say.
who know; 17 Shall one who hates jus-
3 for the ear tests words as tice govern? Will you condemn
the palate tastes food. him who is righteous and
4 Let us choose what is right; mighty,
let us determine among our- 18 who says to a king,
selves what is good. `Worthless one,' and to no-
5 For Job has said, `I am in- bles, `Wicked man';
nocent, and God has taken 19 who shows no partiality to
away my right; princes, nor regards the rich
6 in spite of my right I am more than the poor, for they
counted a liar; my wound is are all the work of his hands?
incurable, though I am without 20 In a moment they die; at
transgression.' midnight the people are shak-
7 What man is like Job, who en and pass away, and the
drinks up scoffing like water, mighty are taken away by no
8 who goes in company with human hand.
evildoers and walks with 21 "For his eyes are upon the

32
 JOB

ways of a man, and he sees all say to me, and the wise man
his steps. who hears me will say:
22 There is no gloom or deep 35 `Job speaks without
darkness where evildoers may knowledge, his words are
hide themselves. without insight.'
23 For he has not appointed 36 Would that Job were tried
a time for any man to go be- to the end, because he an-
fore God in judgment. swers like wicked men.
24 He shatters the mighty 37 For he adds rebellion to
without investigation, and his sin; he claps his hands
sets others in their place. among us, and multiplies his
25 Thus, knowing their words against God."
works, he overturns them in
the night, and they are CHAPTER 35
crushed. 1 And Eli'hu said:
26 He strikes them for their 2 "Do you think this to be
wickedness in the sight of just? Do you say, `It is my
men, right before God,'
27 because they turned aside 3 that you ask, `What advan-
from following him, and had tage have I? How am I better
no regard for any of his ways, off than if I had sinned?'
28 so that they caused the 4 I will answer you and your
cry of the poor to come to friends with you.
him, and he heard the cry of 5 Look at the heavens, and
the afflicted — see; and behold the clouds,
29 When he is quiet, who can which are higher than you.
condemn? When he hides his 6 If you have sinned, what do
face, who can behold him, you accomplish against him?
whether it be a nation or a And if your transgressions are
man? — multiplied, what do you do to
30 that a godless man should him?
not reign, that he should not 7 If you are righteous, what
ensnare the people. do you give to him; or what
31 "For has any one said to does he receive from your
God, `I have borne chastise- hand?
ment; I will not offend any 8 Your wickedness concerns a
more; man like yourself, and your
32 teach me what I do not righteousness a son of man.
see; if I have done iniquity, I 9 "Because of the multitude
will do it no more'? of oppressions people cry out;
33 Will he then make requital they call for help because of
to suit you, because you re- the arm of the mighty.
ject it? For you must choose, 10 But none says, `Where is
and not I; therefore declare God my Maker, who gives
what you know. songs in the night,
34 Men of understanding will 11 who teaches us more than

33
 JOB

the beasts of the earth, and 8 And if they are bound in

makes us wiser than the birds fetters and caught in the
of the air?' cords of affliction,
12 There they cry out, but he 9 then he declares to them
does not answer, because of their work and their transgres-
the pride of evil men. sions, that they are behaving
13 Surely God does not hear arrogantly.
an empty cry, nor does the 10 He opens their ears to in-
Almighty regard it. struction, and commands that
14 How much less when you they return from iniquity.
say that you do not see him, 11 If they hearken and serve
that the case is before him, him, they complete their days
and you are waiting for him! in prosperity, and their years
15 And now, because his in pleasantness.
anger does not punish, and he 12 But if they do not hear-
does not greatly heed trans- ken, they perish by the sword,
gression, and die without knowledge.
16 Job opens his mouth in 13 "The godless in heart
empty talk, he multiplies cherish anger; they do not cry
words without knowledge." for help when he binds them.
14 They die in youth, and
CHAPTER 36 their life ends in shame.
1 And Eli'hu continued, and 15 He delivers the afflicted
said: by their affliction, and opens
2 "Bear with me a little, and I their ear by adversity.
will show you, for I have yet 16 He also allured you out of
something to say on God's be- distress into a broad place
half. where there was no cramping,
3 I will fetch my knowledge and what was set on your ta-
from afar, and ascribe right- ble was full of fatness.
eousness to my Maker. 17 "But you are full of the
4 For truly my words are not judgment on the wicked; judg-
false; one who is perfect in ment and justice seize you.
knowledge is with you. 18 Beware lest wrath entice
5 "Behold, God is mighty, and you into scoffing; and let not
does not despise any; he is the greatness of the ransom
mighty in strength of under- turn you aside.
standing. 19 Will your cry avail to keep
6 He does not keep the you from distress, or all the
wicked alive, but gives the af- force of your strength?
flicted their right. 20 Do not long for the night,
7 He does not withdraw his when peoples are cut off in
eyes from the righteous, but their place.
with kings upon the throne he 21 Take heed, do not turn to
sets them for ever, and they iniquity, for this you have cho-
are exalted. sen rather than affliction.

34
 JOB

22 Behold, God is exalted in the corners of the earth.

his power; who is a teacher 4 After it his voice roars; he
like him? thunders with his majestic
23 Who has prescribed for voice and he does not restrain
him his way, or who can say, the lightnings when his voice
`Thou hast done wrong'? is heard.
24 "Remember to extol his 5 God thunders wondrously
work, of which men have with his voice; he does great
sung. things which we cannot com-
25 All men have looked on it; prehend.
man beholds it from afar. 6 For to the snow he says,
26 Behold, God is great, and `Fall on the earth'; and to the
we know him not; the number shower and the rain, `Be
of his years is unsearchable. strong.'
27 For he draws up the drops 7 He seals up the hand of ev-
of water, he distils his mist in ery man, that all men may
rain know his work.
28 which the skies pour 8 Then the beasts go into
down, and drop upon man their lairs, and remain in their
abundantly. dens.
29 Can any one understand 9 From its chamber comes
the spreading of the clouds, the whirlwind, and cold from
the thunderings of his pavil- the scattering winds.
ion? 10 By the breath of God ice is
30 Behold, he scatters his given, and the broad waters
lightning about him, and cov- are frozen fast.
ers the roots of the sea. 11 He loads the thick cloud
31 For by these he judges with moisture; the clouds
peoples; he gives food in scatter his lightning.
abundance. 12 They turn round and round
32 He covers his hands with by his guidance, to accom-
the lightning, and commands plish all that he commands
it to strike the mark. them on the face of the habit-
33 Its crashing declares con- able world.
cerning him, who is jealous 13 Whether for correction, or
with anger against iniquity. for his land, or for love, he
causes it to happen.
CHAPTER 37 14 "Hear this, O Job; stop and
1 "At this also my heart trem- consider the wondrous works
bles, and leaps out of its of God.
place. 15 Do you know how God lays
2 Hearken to the thunder of his command upon them, and
his voice and the rumbling causes the lightning of his
that comes from his mouth. cloud to shine?
3 Under the whole heaven he 16 Do you know the balanc-
lets it go, and his lightning to ings of the clouds, the won-

35
 JOB

drous works of him who is per- Or who stretched the line

fect in knowledge, upon it?
17 you whose garments are 6 On what were its bases
hot when the earth is still be- sunk, or who laid its corner-
cause of the south wind? stone,
18 Can you, like him, spread 7 when the morning stars
out the skies, hard as a sang together, and all the
molten mirror? sons of God shouted for joy?
19 Teach us what we shall 8 "Or who shut in the sea
say to him; we cannot draw up with doors, when it burst forth
our case because of darkness. from the womb;
20 Shall it be told him that I 9 when I made clouds its gar-
would speak? Did a man ever ment, and thick darkness its
wish that he would be swal- swaddling band,
lowed up? 10 and prescribed bounds for
21 "And now men cannot look it, and set bars and doors,
on the light when it is bright 11 and said, `Thus far shall
in the skies, when the wind you come, and no farther, and
has passed and cleared them. here shall your proud waves
22 Out of the north comes be stayed'?
golden splendor; God is 12 "Have you commanded
clothed with terrible majesty. the morning since your days
23 The Almighty — we cannot began, and caused the dawn
find him; he is great in power to know its place,
and justice, and abundant 13 that it might take hold of
righteousness he will not vio- the skirts of the earth, and
late. the wicked be shaken out of
24 Therefore men fear him; it?
he does not regard any who 14 It is changed like clay un-
are wise in their own conceit." der the seal, and it is dyed
like a garment.
CHAPTER 38 15 From the wicked their light
1 Then the LORD answered is withheld, and their uplifted
Job out of the whirlwind: arm is broken.
2 "Who is this that darkens 16 "Have you entered into
counsel by words without the springs of the sea, or
knowledge? walked in the recesses of the
3 Gird up your loins like a deep?
man, I will question you, and 17 Have the gates of death
you shall declare to me. been revealed to you, or have
4 "Where were you when I you seen the gates of deep
laid the foundation of the darkness?
earth? Tell me, if you have un- 18 Have you comprehended
derstanding. the expanse of the earth? De-
5 Who determined its mea- clare, if you know all this.
surements — surely you know! 19 "Where is the way to the

36
 JOB

dwelling of light, and where is its children?

the place of darkness, 33 Do you know the ordi-
20 that you may take it to its nances of the heavens? Can
territory and that you may you establish their rule on the
discern the paths to its home? earth?
21 You know, for you were 34 "Can you lift up your voice
born then, and the number of to the clouds, that a flood of
your days is great! waters may cover you?
22 "Have you entered the 35 Can you send forth light-
storehouses of the snow, or nings, that they may go and
have you seen the storehous- say to you, `Here we are'?
es of the hail, 36 Who has put wisdom in
23 which I have reserved for the clouds, or given under-
the time of trouble, for the standing to the mists?
day of battle and war? 37 Who can number the
24 What is the way to the clouds by wisdom? Or who can
place where the light is dis- tilt the waterskins of the
tributed, or where the east heavens,
wind is scattered upon the 38 when the dust runs into a
earth? mass and the clods cleave
25 "Who has cleft a channel fast together?
for the torrents of rain, and a 39 "Can you hunt the prey for
way for the thunderbolt, the lion, or satisfy the ap-
26 to bring rain on a land petite of the young lions,
where no man is, on the 40 when they crouch in their
desert in which there is no dens, or lie in wait in their
man; covert?
27 to satisfy the waste and 41 Who provides for the
desolate land, and to make raven its prey, when its young
the ground put forth grass? ones cry to God, and wander
28 "Has the rain a father, or about for lack of food?
who has begotten the drops of
dew? CHAPTER 39
29 From whose womb did the 1 "Do you know when the
ice come forth, and who has mountain goats bring forth?
given birth to the hoarfrost of Do you observe the calving of
heaven? the hinds?
30 The waters become hard 2 Can you number the
like stone, and the face of the months that they fulfil, and do
deep is frozen. you know the time when they
31 "Can you bind the chains bring forth,
of the Plei'ades, or loose the 3 when they crouch, bring
cords of Orion? forth their offspring, and are
32 Can you lead forth the delivered of their young?
Maz'zaroth in their season, or 4 Their young ones become
can you guide the Bear with strong, they grow up in the

37
 JOB

open; they go forth, and do 18 When she rouses herself

not return to them. to flee, she laughs at the
5 "Who has let the wild ass horse and his rider.
go free? Who has loosed the 19 "Do you give the horse his
bonds of the swift ass, might? Do you clothe his neck
6 to whom I have given the with strength?
steppe for his home, and the 20 Do you make him leap like
salt land for his dwelling the locust? His majestic snort-
place? ing is terrible.
7 He scorns the tumult of the 21 He paws in the valley, and
city; he hears not the shouts exults in his strength; he goes
of the driver. out to meet the weapons.
8 He ranges the mountains as 22 He laughs at fear, and is
his pasture, and he searches not dismayed; he does not
after every green thing. turn back from the sword.
9 "Is the wild ox willing to 23 Upon him rattle the
serve you? Will he spend the quiver, the flashing spear and
night at your crib? the javelin.
10 Can you bind him in the 24 With fierceness and rage
furrow with ropes, or will he he swallows the ground; he
harrow the valleys after you? cannot stand still at the sound
11 Will you depend on him of the trumpet.
because his strength is great, 25 When the trumpet sounds,
and will you leave to him your he says `Aha!' He smells the
labor? battle from afar, the thunder
12 Do you have faith in him of the captains, and the
that he will return, and bring shouting.
your grain to your threshing 26 "Is it by your wisdom that
floor? the hawk soars, and spreads
13 "The wings of the ostrich his wings toward the south?
wave proudly; but are they 27 Is it at your command that
the pinions and plumage of the eagle mounts up and
love? makes his nest on high?
14 For she leaves her eggs to 28 On the rock he dwells and
the earth, and lets them be makes his home in the fast-
warmed on the ground, ness of the rocky crag.
15 forgetting that a foot may 29 Thence he spies out the
crush them, and that the wild prey; his eyes behold it afar
beast may trample them. off.
16 She deals cruelly with her 30 His young ones suck up
young, as if they were not blood; and where the slain
hers; though her labor be in are, there is he."
vain, yet she has no fear;
17 because God has made CHAPTER 40
her forget wisdom, and given 1 And the LORD said to Job:
her no share in understanding. 2 "Shall a faultfinder contend

38
 JOB

with the Almighty? He who ar- loins, and his power in the
gues with God, let him answer muscles of his belly.
it." 17 He makes his tail stiff like
3 Then Job answered the a cedar; the sinews of his
LORD: thighs are knit together.
4 "Behold, I am of small ac- 18 His bones are tubes of
count; what shall I answer bronze, his limbs like bars of
thee? I lay my hand on my iron.
mouth. 19 "He is the first of the
5 I have spoken once, and I works of God; let him who
will not answer; twice, but I made him bring near his
will proceed no further." sword!
6 Then the LORD answered 20 For the mountains yield
Job out of the whirlwind: food for him where all the wild
7 "Gird up your loins like a beasts play.
man; I will question you, and 21 Under the lotus plants he
you declare to me. lies, in the covert of the reeds
8 Will you even put me in the and in the marsh.
wrong? Will you condemn me 22 For his shade the lotus
that you may be justified? trees cover him; the willows of
9 Have you an arm like God, the brook surround him.
and can you thunder with a 23 Behold, if the river is tur-
voice like his? bulent he is not frightened; he
10 "Deck yourself with is confident though Jordan
majesty and dignity; clothe rushes against his mouth.
yourself with glory and splen- 24 Can one take him with
dor. hooks, or pierce his nose with
11 Pour forth the overflow- a snare?
ings of your anger, and look
on every one that is proud, CHAPTER 41
and abase him. 1 "Can you draw out Lev-
12 Look on every one that is i'athan with a fishhook, or
proud, and bring him low; and press down his tongue with a
tread down the wicked where cord?
they stand. 2 Can you put a rope in his
13 Hide them all in the dust nose, or pierce his jaw with a
together; bind their faces in hook?
the world below. 3 Will he make many suppli-
14 Then will I also acknowl- cations to you? Will he speak
edge to you, that your own to you soft words?
right hand can give you victo- 4 Will he make a covenant
ry. with you to take him for your
15 "Behold, Be'hemoth, servant for ever?
which I made as I made you; 5 Will you play with him as
he eats grass like an ox. with a bird, or will you put him
16 Behold, his strength in his on leash for your maidens?

39
 JOB

6 Will traders bargain over forth smoke, as from a boiling

him? Will they divide him up pot and burning rushes.
among the merchants? 21 His breath kindles coals,
7 Can you fill his skin with and a flame comes forth from
harpoons, or his head with his mouth.
fishing spears? 22 In his neck abides
8 Lay hands on him; think of strength, and terror dances
the battle; you will not do it before him.
again! 23 The folds of his flesh
9 Behold, the hope of a man cleave together, firmly cast
is disappointed; he is laid low upon him and immovable.
even at the sight of him. 24 His heart is hard as a
10 No one is so fierce that he stone, hard as the nether mill-
dares to stir him up. Who then stone.
is he that can stand before 25 When he raises himself up
me? the mighty are afraid; at the
11 Who has given to me, that crashing they are beside
I should repay him? Whatever themselves.
is under the whole heaven is 26 Though the sword reaches
mine. him, it does not avail; nor the
12 "I will not keep silence spear, the dart, or the javelin.
concerning his limbs, or his 27 He counts iron as straw,
mighty strength, or his goodly and bronze as rotten wood.
frame. 28 The arrow cannot make
13 Who can strip off his outer him flee; for him slingstones
garment? Who can penetrate are turned to stubble.
his double coat of mail? 29 Clubs are counted as stub-
14 Who can open the doors of ble; he laughs at the rattle of
his face? Round about his javelins.
teeth is terror. 30 His underparts are like
15 His back is made of rows sharp potsherds; he spreads
of shields, shut up closely as himself like a threshing sledge
with a seal. on the mire.
16 One is so near to another 31 He makes the deep boil
that no air can come between like a pot; he makes the sea
them. like a pot of ointment.
17 They are joined one to an- 32 Behind him he leaves a
other; they clasp each other shining wake; one would think
and cannot be separated. the deep to be hoary.
18 His sneezings flash forth 33 Upon earth there is not
light, and his eyes are like the his like, a creature without
eyelids of the dawn. fear.
19 Out of his mouth go flam- 34 He beholds everything
ing torches; sparks of fire leap that is high; he is king over all
forth. the sons of pride."
20 Out of his nostrils comes

40
 JOB

CHAPTER 42 fortunes of Job, when he had

1 Then Job answered the prayed for his friends; and the
LORD: LORD gave Job twice as much
2 "I know that thou canst do as he had before.
all things, and that no purpose 11 Then came to him all his
of thine can be thwarted. brothers and sisters and all
3 `Who is this that hides who had known him before,
counsel without knowledge?' and ate bread with him in his
Therefore I have uttered what house; and they showed him
I did not understand, things sympathy and comforted him
too wonderful for me, which I for all the evil that the LORD
did not know. had brought upon him; and
4 `Hear, and I will speak; I each of them gave him a
will question you, and you de- piece of money and a ring of
clare to me.' gold.
5 I had heard of thee by the 12 And the LORD blessed the
hearing of the ear, but now latter days of Job more than
my eye sees thee; his beginning; and he had
6 therefore I despise myself, fourteen thousand sheep, six
and repent in dust and ashes." thousand camels, a thousand
7 After the LORD had spoken yoke of oxen, and a thousand
these words to Job, the LORD she-asses.
said to Eli'phaz the Te'manite: 13 He had also seven sons
"My wrath is kindled against and three daughters.
you and against your two 14 And he called the name of
friends; for you have not spo- the first Jemi'mah; and the
ken of me what is right, as my name of the second Kezi'ah;
servant Job has. and the name of the third
8 Now therefore take seven Ker'en-hap'puch.
bulls and seven rams, and go 15 And in all the land there
to my servant Job, and offer were no women so fair as
up for yourselves a burnt of- Job's daughters; and their fa-
fering; and my servant Job ther gave them inheritance
shall pray for you, for I will ac- among their brothers.
cept his prayer not to deal 16 And after this Job lived a
with you according to your fol- hundred and forty years, and
ly; for you have not spoken of saw his sons, and his sons'
me what is right, as my ser- sons, four generations.
vant Job has." 17 And Job died, an old man,
9 So Eli'phaz the Te'manite and full of days.
and Bildad the Shuhite and
Zophar the Na'amathite went
and did what the LORD had
told them; and the LORD ac-
cepted Job's prayer.
10 And the LORD restored the

41