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Esther is crowned queen.

CHAP. III, IV. Ahasuerus' decree against the Jews, men, appointed. And Esther obtained favour is given to thee, the people also, to do with them in the sight of all them that looked upon her. as it seemeth good to thee.

16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus 12 Then were the king's scribes called on the into his house-royal in the tenth month, which is thirteenth day of the first month, and there was the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. written according to all that Haman had com17 And the king loved Esther above all the wo-manded unto the king's lieutenants, and to the men, and she obtained grace and favour in his governors that were over every province, and to sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the rulers of every people of every province, acthe royal crown upon her head, and made her cording to the writing thereof, and to every peoqueen instead of Vashti. ple after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king's ring.

18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.

13 And the letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause 19 And when the virgins were gathered together to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little chilthe second time, then Mordecai sat in the king's dren and women, in one day, even upon the thir gate. teenth day of the twelfth month, which is the

20 Esther had not yet shewed her kindred, nor monthAdar,and to take the spoil of them for a prey. her people, as Mordecai had charged her for 14 The copy of the writing for a commandinent Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like to be given in every province was published unas when she was brought up with him. to all people, that they should be ready against

21 ¶ In those days, while Mordecai sat in the that day. king's gate, two of the king's chamberlains, Big- 15 The posts went out, being hastened by the than and Teresh, of those which kept the door, king's commandinent, and the decree was given were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the king in Shushan the palace. And the king and flaAhasuerus. man sat down to drink; but the city Shushau 22 And the thing was known to Mordecai, who was perplexed. told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the king thereof in Mordecai's name

23 And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the Chronicles before the king.

CHAP. III.

Haman seeks the Jews' destruction. FTER these things did king Ahasuerus pro

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CHAP. IV.

Mordecai's advice to Esther. THEN Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashics, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry, 2 And came even before the king's gate: for none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth.

Alte Hain the son of lammedatha the 3 And in every province whithersoever the king's

Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him.

commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, 2 And all the king's servants that were in the and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman; for sackcloth and ashes.

the king had so commanded concerning him. But 4 1 So Esther's maids and her chamberlains Mordecal bowed not, nor did him reverence. came and told it her. Then was the queen ex3 Then the king's servants which were in the ceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgress-Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from est thou the king's commandment? him but he received it not.

4 Now it came to pass, when they spake daily 5Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the king's unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mormatters would stand: for he had told them that decai, to know what it was, and why it was. he was a Jew.

5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.

6 So Hatach went forth to Mordecai, unto the street of the city, which was before the king's gate. 7 And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money 6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Morde- that Haman had promised to pay to the king's cai alone; for they had shewed him the people of treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy 8 Also he gave him the copy of the writing of all the Jews that were throughout the whole king-the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy dom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai. them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it 7 ¶ In the first month (that is, the month Ni-unto her, and to charge her that she should go in san,) in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they unto the king, to make supplication unto him, cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from and to make request before him for her people. day to day, and from month to month, to the 9 And Hatach cane and told Esther the words twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. of Mordecai.

8 And Haman said unto king Ahasuerus, There 10 1 Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave is a certain people scattered abroad and disper-him commandinent unto Mordecai; sed among the people in all the provinces of thy 11 All the king's servants, and the people of the kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whe people; neither keep they the king's laws: there-ther man or woman, shall come unto the king fore it is not for the king's profit to suffer them. into the inner court, who is not called, there is 9 If it please the king, let it be written that one law of his to put him to death, except such they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepthousand talents of silver to the hands of those tre, that he may live: but I have not been called that have the charge of the business, to bring it to come in unto the king these thirty days. into the king's treasuries. 12 And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. 10 And the king took his ring from his hand,_13Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. the king's house, inore than all the Jews. 11 And the king said unto Haman, The silver] 14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace al

Esther's banquet.

ESTHER.

Mordecai's honour.

this time, then, shall there enlargement and de-chronicles; and they were read before the king. liverance arise to the Jews from another place; 2 And it was found witten, that Mordecai had but thou and thy father's house shall be destroy- told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's ed: and who knoweth, whether thou art come chamberlains, the keepers of the door, who 10 the kingdom for such a time as this? sought to lay hand on the king Ahasuerus. 3 And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him.

15 Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer,

16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.

4 And the king said, Who is in the court? (Now Haman was conie into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had pre

17 So Mordecai went his way, and did accor-pared for him.) ding to all that Esther had commanded him CHAP. V.

Esther obtaineth the king's favour.

NOW it came to pass on the third day, that

Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.

5 And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in.

6 So Haman came in. And the king said unto

him, What shall be done unto the man whom
the king delighteth to honour? (Now Haman
thought in his heart, To whom would the king
delight to do honour more than to myself?)
7 And Haman answered the king, For the man
whom the king delighteth to honour,

2 And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained fa- 8 Let the royal apparel be brought which the vour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther king useth to wear, and the horse that the king the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Es-rideth upon, and the crown-royal which is sel ther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. upon his head: 3 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom. 4 And Esther answered, If it seem good unto the king, let the king and Haman come this day un-horseback through the street of the city, and proto the banquet that I have prepared for him. 5 Then the king said, Cause Ilaman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

6 And the king said unto Esther at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed. 7 Then answered Esther, and said, My petition and my request is:

9 And let this apparel and horse he delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man withal whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on claim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour. 10 Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, and take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken.

11 Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the 8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, man whom the king delighteth to honour. and if it please the king to grant my petition, and 12 1 And Mordecai came again to the king's to perform my request, let the king and Haman gate. But Hanan hasted to his house mourning, come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and having his head covered. and I will do to-morrow as the king hath said. 13 And Hanian told Zeresh his wife and all his 9 Then went Haman forth that day joyful friends every thing that had befallen him. Then and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before nor moved for him, he was full of indignation whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not preagainst Mordecai. vail against him, but shalt surely fall before him. 14 And while they were yet talking with him, came the king's chamberlains, and hasted to bring Haman unto the banquet that Esther had prepared.

10 Nevertheless, Haman refrained himself: and when he came home, he sent and called for his friends, and Zeresh his wife.

11 And Ilaman told them of the glory of his riches, and the multitude of his children, and all the things wherein the king had promoted him, and how he had advanced him above the princes and servants of the king.

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CHAP. VII.

Esther's suit for herself and people. the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen.

12 Haman said moreover, Yea, Esther the queen 2 And the king said again to Esther on the did let no mau come in with the king unto the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy banquet that she had prepared but myself; and to-petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted morrow am I invited unto her also with the king, thee: and what is thy request? and it shal' be 13 Yet all this availeth me nothing, so long as I performed, even to the half of the kingdom. see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king's gate. 3 Then Esther the queen answered and said, 14 ¶ Then said Zeresh his wife and all his friends If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and anto him, Let a gallows be made of fifty cubits if it please the king, let my life be given me at high, and to morrow speak thou unto the king my petition, and ny people at my request: that Mordecai may be hanged thereon: then go thou in merrily with the king unto the banquet. And the thing pleased Haman; and he caused the gallows to be made.

CHAP. VI.

4 For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bond-men and bond-women, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.

Ahasuerus honoureth Mordecai. 5 Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said that night could not the king sleep, and he unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is commanded to bring the book of records of the he, that durst presume in his heart to do so?

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Haman is hanged

CHAP. VIII, IX.

The Jews slay their enemies 6 And Esther said, The adversary and enemy and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid to cause to perish, all the power of the people before the king and the queen. and province that would assault them, both little 71 And the king arising from the banquet of ones and women, and to take the spoil of them wine in his wrath went into the palace-garden: for a prey,

and Haman stood up to make request for his life 12 Upon one day in all the provinces of king to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was Ahasuerus, namely, upon the thirteenth day of evil determined against him by the king. the twelfth month, which is the month Adar.

was.

8 Then the king returned out of the palace-gar- 13 The copy of the writing for a commandment den into the place of the banquet of wine; and to be given in every province was published unto Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther all people, and that the Jews should be ready Then said the king, Will he force the against that day to avenge themselves on their queen also before me in the house? As the enemies. word went out of the king's mouth, they cover- 14 So the posts that rode upon mules and caed Haman's face. mels went out, being hastened and pressed on by 9 And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said the king's commandment. And the decree was before the king, Behold also the gallows fifty cu- given at Shushan the palace.

bits high, which Haman had made for Morde- 15 And Mordecai went out from the presence cai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, in the house of Haman. Then the king said, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garHang him thereon. ment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced, and was glad:

10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.

CHAP. VIII.

Mordecai's advancement.

16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.

17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his

On good

that day did the king Ahasuerus give the decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a

ther the queen. And Mordecai came before the of the land became Jews; for the fear of the king; for Esther had told what he was unto her. Jews fell upon them. 2 And the king took off his ring which he had taken from Haman, and gave it unto Mordecai.

CHAP. IX.

Institution of the days of Purim
OW in the twelfth month, that is, the month

And Esther set Mordecai over the house of Ila-Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same,

man.

311 And Esther spake yet again before the king, when the king's commandment and his decree and fell down at his feet, and besought him with drew near to be put in execution, in the day tears to put away the mischief of Haman the that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have Agagite, and his device that he had devised power over them, (though it was turned to the against the Jews. contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)

4 Then the king held out the golden sceptre toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the king,

2 The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the 5 And said, If it please the king, and if I have king Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought found favour in his sight, and the thing seem their hurt: and no man could withstand them; right before the king, and I be pleasing in his for the fear of them fell upon all people. eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters de- 3 And all the rulers of the provinces, and the vised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews king helped the Jews; because the fear of Morwhich are in all the king's provinces: decai fell upon them. 6 For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?

7 T Then the king Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews.

8 Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse.

4 For Mordecai was great in the king's house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater

5 Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them.

6 And in Shushan the palace the Jews slew and destroyed five hundred men.

7 And Parshandatha, and Dalphon, and Aspatha, 8 And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha, 9 And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha,

9 Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, 10 The ten sons of Haman the ɛon of Hammeon the three and twentieth day thereof; and it datha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on was written, according to all that Mordecai com-the spoil laid they not their hand.

manded, unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants,and 11 On that day the number of those that were the deputies and rulers of the provinces which slain in Shushan the palace was brought before are from India unto Ethiopia, a hundred twenty the king.

and seven provinces, unto every province accord- 12 And the king said unto Esther the queen, ing to the writing thereof, and unto every people The Jews have slain and destroyed five hundred after their language, and to the Jews according men in Shushan the palace, and the ten sons of to their writing, and according to their language. Haman; what have they done in the rest of the 10 And he wrote in the king Ahasuerus' name, king's provinces? now what is thy petition? and sealed it with the king's ring, and sent let-and it shall be granted thee: or what is thy reters by posts on horseback, and riders on mules, quest further? and it shall be done. camels, and young dromedaries: 13 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it 11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to were in every city to gather themselves together, 'do to-morrow also according unto this day's de

Haman's ten sons hanged. JOB. The days of Purim confirmed cree, and let Haman's ten sons be hanged upon commanded by letters that his wicked device, the gallows. which he devised against the Jews, should return 14 And the king commanded it so to be done: upon his own head, and that he and his sons and the decree was given at Shushan; and they should be hanged on the gallows. hanged Haman's ten sons.

15 For the Jews that were in Shushan gathered themselves together on the fourteenth day also of the month Adar, and slew three hundred men at Shushan; but on the prey they laid not their hand. 16 But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey,

17 On the thirteenth day of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. 18 But the Jews that were at Shushan assem bled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the fourteenth day of the month Adar a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.

26 Wherefore they called these days Purim after the name of Pur. Therefore for all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and which had come unto them, 27 The Jews ordained, and took upon them, and upon their seed, and upon all such as joined themselves unto them, so as it should not fail, that they would keep these two days according to their writing, and according to their appointed time every year;

28 And that these days should be remembered and kept throughout every generation, every family, every province, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor the menorial of them perish from their seed.

29 Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim. 30 And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth, 31 To confirm these days of Purim in their times 20 ¶ And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and letters unto all the Jews that were in all the pro- Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they vinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, had decreed for themselves and for their seed, 21 To establish this among them, that they the matters of the fastings and their cry. should keep the fourteenth day of the month 32 And the decree of Esther confirmed these matAdar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, ters of Purim; and it was written in the book. 22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them sorrow joy, and from ing into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.

CHAP. X.

The acts of king Ahasuerus. the land, and upon the isles of the sen. ND the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon

2 And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia?

23 And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them; 24 Because Haman the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had de- 3 For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king vised against the Jews to destroy them, and had Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and ac cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and cepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking to destroy them; the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to

25 But when Esther came before the king, he all his seed. ¶ The Book of JOB.

THERE

CHAP. I.

Job's uprightness. was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

8 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? 9 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

10 Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on 3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, every side? thou hast blessed the work of his and three thousand camels, and five hundred hands, and his substance is increased in the yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and a land. very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their Liree sisters to eat and to drink with them. 5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and of fered burnt-offerings according to the number of them all for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

11 But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. 12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. 13 ¶ And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were ploughing, and the asses feeding beside them:

15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am es

7 And the LORD said unto Satan, Whencejcaped alone to tell thee. comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD. 16 While he was yet speaking, there came also and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from from walking up and down in it. heaven, and hath burned up the sheep and the

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servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

He complaineth of life

2 And Job spake, and said,

3 Let the day perish wherein I was born, and 17 While he was yet speaking, there came also the night in which it was said, There is a man another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three child conceived. bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only an escaped alone to tell thee.

18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

19 And behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. 20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

92 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

A

CHAP. II.

Job's afliction and patience.
GAIN there was a day when the sons of
God came to present themselves before the
LORD, and Satan came also among them to pre-
sent himself before the LORD.

2 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence
comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD,
and said, From going to and fro in the earth,
and from walking up and down in it.

3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. 4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

5 But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thy hand; but save his life.

71 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore biles from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

4 Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it. 5 Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.

6 As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year; let it not come into the number of the months. 7 Lo, let that night be solitary; let no joyful voice come therein.

8 Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning. 9 Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the day.

10 Because it shut not up the doors of my mo ther's womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes. 11 Why died f not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly? 12 Why did the knees prevent me? or why the

breasts that I should suck?

13 For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest 14 With kings and counsellors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves; 15 Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver: 16 Or as a hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light. 17 There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.

18 There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor. 19 The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master. 20 Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul; 21 Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures; 22 Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave? 23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in? 24 For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.

25 For the thing which I greatly feared is come Jupon me, and that which I was afraid of is coine unto me.

8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. 26 I was not in safety, neither had I rest, nei91 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still ther was I quiet; yet trouble came. retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. CHAP. IV. Eliphaz reproveth Job. THEN Eliphaz the Temanite answered and Tsaid,

10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What! shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

2 If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?

11 Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came 3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Te- hast strengthened the weak hands. manite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the 4 Thy words have upholden him that was Naamatrite: for they had made an appointment falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble together to come to mourn with him, and to com- knces." fort him.

12 And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. 13 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

CHAP. III.

Job lamenteth his birth.

5 But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled. 6 Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways? 7 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? 8 Even as I have seen, they that plough iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. 9 By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed. 10 The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the broken.

AFTER this opened Job his mouth, and cur-fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are

sed his day.

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