Job 31-33

¹I made a covenant with mine eyes; How then should I look upon a virgin?

²For what is the portion from God above, And the heritage from the Almighty on high?

³Is it not calamity to the unrighteous, And disaster to the workers of iniquity?

⁴Doth not he see my ways, And number all my steps?

⁵If I have walked with falsehood, And my foot hath hasted to deceit ⁶(Let me be weighed in an even balance, That God may know mine integrity);

¹I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

²For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high?

³Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?

⁴Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?

⁵If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit;

⁶Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.

⁷If my step hath turned out of the way, And my heart walked after mine eyes, And if any spot hath cleaved to my hands: ⁸Then let me sow, and let another eat; Yea, let the produce of my field be rooted out.

⁹If my heart hath been enticed unto a woman, And I have laid wait at my neighbor’s door; ¹⁰Then let my wife grind unto another, And let others bow down upon her.

¹¹For that were a heinous crime; Yea, it were an iniquity to be punished by the judges: ¹²For it is a fire that consumeth unto Destruction, And would root out all mine increase.

¹³If I have despised the cause of my man-servant or of my maid-servant, When they contended with me; ¹⁴What then shall I do when God riseth up? And when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?

⁷If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;

⁸Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.

⁹If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour’s door;

¹⁰Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her.

¹¹For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.

¹²For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase.

¹³If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;

¹⁴What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?

¹⁵Did not he that made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?

¹⁶If I have withheld the poor from their desire, Or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, ¹⁷Or have eaten my morsel alone, And the fatherless hath not eaten thereof ¹⁸(Nay, from my youth he grew up with me as with a father, And her have I guided from my mother’s womb); ¹⁹If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, Or that the needy had no covering; ²⁰If his loins have not blessed me, And if he hath not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep; ²¹If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, Because I saw my help in the gate: ²²Then let my shoulder fall from the shoulder-blade, And mine arm be broken from the bone.

¹⁵Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?

¹⁶If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;

¹⁷Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof;

¹⁸(For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother’s womb;)

¹⁹If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;

²⁰If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;

²¹If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:

²²Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.

²³For calamity from God is a terror to me, And by reason of his majesty I can do nothing.

²⁴If I have made gold my hope, And have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; ²⁵If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, And because my hand had gotten much; ²⁶If I have beheld the sun when it shined, Or the moon walking in brightness, ²⁷And my heart hath been secretly enticed, And my mouth hath kissed my hand: ²⁸This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judges; For I should have denied the God that is above.

²³For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.

²⁴If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence;

²⁵If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much;

²⁶If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness;

²⁷And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:

²⁸This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.

²⁹If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, Or lifted up myself when evil found him ³⁰(Yea, I have not suffered my mouth to sin By asking his life with a curse); ³¹If the men of my tent have not said, Who can find one that hath not been filled with his meat?

³²(The sojourner hath not lodged in the street; But I have opened my doors to the traveller); ³³If like Adam I have covered my transgressions, By hiding mine iniquity in my bosom,

²⁹If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:

³⁰Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.

³¹If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.

³²The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller.

³³If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom:

³⁴Because I feared the great multitude, And the contempt of families terrified me, So that I kept silence, and went not out of the door— ³⁵Oh that I had one to hear me! (Lo, here is my signature, let the Almighty answer me) And that I had the indictment which mine adversary hath written!

³⁴Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?

³⁵Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.

³⁶Surely I would carry it upon my shoulder; I would bind it unto me as a crown: ³⁷I would declare unto him the number of my steps; As a prince would I go near unto him.

³⁸If my land crieth out against me, And the furrows thereof weep together; ³⁹If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, Or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life: ⁴⁰Let thistles grow instead of wheat, And cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.

³⁶Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me.

³⁷I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.

³⁸If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain;

³⁹If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life:

⁴⁰Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.

¹So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

¹So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

²Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

²Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

³Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

³Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

⁴Now Elihu had waited to speak unto Job, because they were elder than he.

⁵And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.

⁴Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.

⁵When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.

⁶And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; Wherefore I held back, and durst not show you mine opinion.

⁷I said, Days should speak, And multitude of years should teach wisdom.

⁸But there is a spirit in man, And the breath of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

⁹It is not the great that are wise, Nor the aged that understand justice.

⁶And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.

⁷I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.

⁸But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

⁹Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.

¹⁰Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show mine opinion.

¹¹Behold, I waited for your words, I listened for your reasonings, Whilst ye searched out what to say.

¹²Yea, I attended unto you, And, behold, there was none that convinced Job, Or that answered his words, among you.

¹³Beware lest ye say, We have found wisdom; God may vanquish him, not man:

¹⁰Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.

¹¹Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.

¹²Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:

¹³Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.

¹⁴For he hath not directed his words against me; Neither will I answer him with your speeches.

¹⁵They are amazed, they answer no more: They have not a word to say.

¹⁶And shall I wait, because they speak not, Because they stand still, and answer no more?

¹⁷I also will answer my part, I also will show mine opinion.

¹⁸For I am full of words; The spirit within me constraineth me.

¹⁹Behold, my breast is as wine which hath no vent; Like new wine-skins it is ready to burst.

¹⁴Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.

¹⁵They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.

¹⁶When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)

¹⁷I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.

¹⁸For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

¹⁹Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

²⁰I will speak, that I may be refreshed; I will open my lips and answer.

²¹Let me not, I pray you, respect any man’s person; Neither will I give flattering titles unto any man.

²²For I know not to give flattering titles; Else would my Maker soon take me away.

²⁰I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.

²¹Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.

²²For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.

¹Howbeit, Job, I pray thee, hear my speech, And hearken to all my words.

²Behold now, I have opened my mouth; My tongue hath spoken in my mouth.

³My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart; And that which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.

⁴The Spirit of God hath made me, And the breath of the Almighty giveth me life.

⁵If thou canst, answer thou me; Set thy words in order before me, stand forth.

⁶Behold, I am toward God even as thou art: I also am formed out of the clay.

⁷Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, Neither shall my pressure be heavy upon thee.

¹Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

²Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.

³My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.

⁴The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

⁵If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.

⁶Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.

⁷Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.

⁸Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing, And I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, ⁹I am clean, without transgression; I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me: ¹⁰Behold, he findeth occasions against me, He counteth me for his enemy; ¹¹He putteth my feet in the stocks, He marketh all my paths.

⁸Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,

⁹I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.

¹⁰Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,

¹¹He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.

¹²Behold, I will answer thee, in this thou art not just; For God is greater than man.

¹²Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.

¹³Why dost thou strive against him, For that he giveth not account of any of his matters?

¹³Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

¹⁴For God speaketh once, Yea twice, though man regardeth it not.

¹⁴For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

¹⁵In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falleth upon men, In slumberings upon the bed; ¹⁶Then he openeth the ears of men, And sealeth their instruction, ¹⁷That he may withdraw man from his purpose, And hide pride from man; ¹⁸He keepeth back his soul from the pit, And his life from perishing by the sword.

¹⁹He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, And with continual strife in his bones; ²⁰So that his life abhorreth bread, And his soul dainty food.

²¹His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; And his bones that were not seen stick out.

²²Yea, his soul draweth near unto the pit, And his life to the destroyers.

¹⁵In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;

¹⁶Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

¹⁷That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

¹⁸He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

¹⁹He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:

²⁰So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.

²¹His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.

²²Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.

²³If there be with him an angel, An interpreter, one among a thousand, To show unto man what is right for him; ²⁴Then God is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.

²⁵His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s; He returneth to the days of his youth.

²⁶He prayeth unto God, and he is favorable unto him, So that he seeth his face with joy: And he restoreth unto man his righteousness.

²³If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:

²⁴Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.

²⁵His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth:

²⁶He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.

²⁷He singeth before men, and saith, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, And it profited me not: ²⁸He hath redeemed my soul from going into the pit, And my life shall behold the light.

²⁹Lo, all these things doth God work, Twice, yea thrice, with a man, ³⁰To bring back his soul from the pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of the living.

²⁷He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;

²⁸He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.

²⁹Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,

³⁰To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

³¹Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: Hold thy peace, and I will speak.

³²If thou hast anything to say, answer me: Speak, for I desire to justify thee.

³³If not, hearken thou unto me: Hold thy peace, and I will teach thee wisdom.

³¹Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.

³²If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.

³³If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.