Job makes a solemn protestation

JOB.-CHAP. XXXI. off base men : they were viler than the A. M. 2454. earth.

9 And now am I their song, yea, I am their h byword.

10 They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.

11 Because he hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me.

12 Upon my right hand rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction.

13 They mar my path, they set forward my calamity, they have no helper.

14 They came upon me as a wide breaking in of waters: in the desolation they rolled themselves upon me.

15 Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue * my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud.

B. C. 1520.

e Ps. 49.10..
13.

f men of no
name.

g P69.12
La. 3. 14,

63.

c.17.6.

i withhold

not spittle

from.

1.50.6

Mat. 26.67
27.30.

k principal

one.

1 PB.42.4.
m c.9.31.

of his integrity in several duties.

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

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

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

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

crease.

13 If I did despise the cause of my man-servant or of my maid-scrvant, when they contended with me;

14 What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? 15 Did not he that made me in the womb n turned to make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?

be.

o the

strength
of thy
hand.

dom.

16 And now my soul is poured out upon 1me; por, wisthe days of affliction have taken hold upon me. 17 My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest.

18 By the great force of my disease is my garment changed: it bindeth me about as the collar of my coat.

19 He hath cast" me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes.

20 I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not. 21 Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me. 22 Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to ride upon it, and dissolvest my P substance.

23 For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living. 24 Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction. 25 Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor?

r

q Ge.3.19.

r heap.

s hard of day. Je.8.15.

u or, oa-
triches.

v La.4.8.
5.10.

a Mat.5.28.

b Pr.6.25.
c Jn. 1.48.
Je.32.19.

d Pe.44.20,
21.

e him weigh

me in ba
lances of
justice.

f Eze. 14.3..
7.

g Le.20.10.

h Mal.3.5.
He. 13.4.

26 When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there i Pr.22.2 came darkness.

27 My bowels boiled, and rested not: the days of affliction prevented me.

Jor, did he

not fash ion us in one womb.

widow.

28 I went mourning without the sun: I stood the up, and I cried in the congregation.

29 I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to "owls.

30 My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.

31 My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep. CHAPTER XXXI.

Job maketh a solemn protestation of his integrity in several duties.

a

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

b

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

3 Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity? 4 Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?

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

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

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

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

1 De 24.13.

m or, the
channel
bone.

n Ps. 119,
120.

o PB.76.7.

p 1 Ti.6,17.
q found.
r light.

8 bright.

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

17 Or 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 ;)

19 If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; 20 If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;

21 If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate: 22 Then let mine arm fall from my shoulderblade, and mine arm be broken from " the bone.

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

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

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

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

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

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

35 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book. 36 Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me.

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

that the

will an-
sweet me.

d weep.

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

hor,

noisome
weeds.

a from an-
ewering.

c expected

Job in
words.

reproving Job and his friends.

4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. 5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.

f

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

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

i

b

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

9 I am clean without transgression, I am in

So these three men ceased to answer Job,
because he was righteous in his own eyes.
2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihub his soul
the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred
of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled,
because he justified himself rather than God. elder for nocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
3 Also against his three friends was his wrath
kindled, because they had found no answer,
and yet had condemned Job.

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

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

e

days.

e few of
days.

f c.15.10.

g feared.
h Pr.20.27.
¡ Pr.2.6.
Da.2.21.

J Mat.11.25
1 Co.1.27.
kunder.
standings.

6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Bu-1 words. zite answered and said, I am young, and yem Je.9.23. are very fold; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not show you mine opinion.

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

or, order

ed.

o removed

Specches from themselves,

of my

8 But there is a spirit in man: and the in- P words. spiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

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

belly.

r is not

opened.

s breathe.

t Ga.1.10.

10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also P 122,3 will show mine opinion.

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

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

13 Lest ye should say, Wem have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man. 14 Now he hath not "directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.

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

CHAPTER XXXIII.

1 Elihu offereth himself instead of God, with sincerity and meekness, to reason with 8 He excuseth God from giving man an account of his ways, by his greatness. 14 God calleth man to repentance by visions, 19 by afflictions, 23 and by his minis ry. 31 He inciteth Job to attention.

WHEREFORE, Job, I pray thee, hear my

speeches, and hearken to all my words. 2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.

shall look
upon men
and say,

I have
sinned.

z 1 Jn.1.9.

a or, He

hath de-
livered

my soul,

&c. and my life.

twice and

b

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

W

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

26 He 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.

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

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

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

d

C

30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. 31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.

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

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

CHAPTER XXXIV.

1 Elihu accuseth Job for charging God with injustice. 10 God omnipotent cannot be unjust. 31 Man must humble himself unto God. 34 Elihu reproveth Job. URTHERMORE Elihu answered and

FU

said,

JOB.-CHAP. XXXV., XXXVI. 2 Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give | A. M. 2484. ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.

3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.

4 Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.

11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find accord-be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have,

17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just? 18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly? 19 How much less to him that accepteth notd Ki. 12.23. the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.

JOB.-CHAP. XXXVII., XXXVIII. God challenges Job to answer. earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.

18 Because there is wrath, beware lest hea Ps. 136.25 clouds, the wondrous works of him which is take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.

17 How thy garments are warm, when he that which quieteth the earth by the south wind? 18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass? 19 Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.

20 Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up. 21 And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.

22 Fair weather cometh out of the north: shower of With God is terrible majesty.

5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou w Pa6211. knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

a Mat.10 23 of;

b Mat.11.25
1 Co. 1.26.

a c.34.35.
35.16.

b make me

know.

7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the e Pr.8.22.30 womb?

9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddling-band for it,

10 Ánd brake up for it my decreed place, Cree upon and set bars and doors,

M. 2481.

12 Hast thou commanded the morning since. C. 1580 thy days; and caused the day-spring to know k wings. his place;

13 That it might take hold of the ends of 1 Ps. 10.15. the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?

14 It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.

15 And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken. 16 Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?

m

17 Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?

18 Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.

19 Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof, 20 That thou shouldest take it "to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?

m Pa.9.13.

n or, at

o Ex.9.18,
24.

Is.30.30.

Re. 16.2.

KN

ignorance and imbecility. CHAPTER XXXIX.

1 of the wild goats and hints. 5 Of the wild ass. 9 The unicorn. 13 The peacock, stork, and ostrich. 19 The horse. 26 The hawk. 27 The engle NOWEST thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds a do calve?

2 Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?

3 They bow themselves, they bring forth their Jos 10.11. young ones, they cast out their sorrows. 4 Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them.

p P. 147.8.
Je. 14.22.

5 Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or P107.35. who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass? 6 Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.

r c.37.10.

8 taken.

Cimah,or,

the seven
stars.

u c.9.9.
Am.5.8.

▾ Cecil

21 Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is on the great?

22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,

twelve

signs.

x guide
them.

y Je.31.35,

36.

a Ps.51.6.

23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? Behold us 24 By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth? 25 Who hath divided a watercourse for the co overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;

26 To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness wherein there is no man;

lie down.

c is pour
ed, or, is
turned

с

7 He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver. 8 The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing. 9 Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?

10 Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?

11 Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him? 12 Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn? 13 Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?

14 Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,

15 And forgetteth that the foot may crush into mire them, or that the wild beast may break them. 16 She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not her's: her labour is in vain without fear;

d Pr. 104.21.

17 Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding 18 What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.

19 Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?

20 Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible. 21 He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the m armed men.

22 He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword. 23 The quiver rattleth against him, the glit tering spear and the shield.

24 He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.

25 He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

26 Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?