From the Greek Septuagint text as was used by First Century Christians.
A song or poem, likely recorded by Moses sometime after 1550-BCE.
Although the identity of Job among Bible characters is unsure (see the link to Job below),
history suggests that he lived sometime between 2140-BCE and 1980-BCE.
Was this a true story and was there really a faithful man named Job?
Yes, for God mentioned him by name as being of of the three most faithful men in the Bible book of Ezekiel,
And he was also mentioned by Peter, the Apostle of Jesus.
Chapter 1
1 There was a certain man named Job who lived in the land of the AuSitidi. He was true, blameless, righteous, God fearing, and he distanced himself from all that was wicked. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters. He also had seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred teams of oxen, and five hundred grazing female burros. In addition, he had a huge work force to serve him and many more to care for his land, 3 for the man had been born into a prosperous family from the sunrise in the east.
4 [Job's] sons prepared banquets for each other every day, and their three sisters were always invited to eat and drink with them. 5 Then after all the banqueting was done, Job would get up early each morning to purify them. He offered sacrifices on their behalf, which included a calf as a sin offering for their lives. As Job said: '[I'm doing this] just in case my children even think something bad about God.' And that's how Job always did things.
6 Then one day, {Look!} the messengers of God went to stand before Jehovah, and the Opposer came along with them. 7 So Jehovah asked the Opposer: 'From what place have you come?'
And the Opposer replied to Jehovah: 'I've been on the earth walking around everywhere under the sky.'
8 Then Jehovah asked him: 'Have you noticed and thought about My child Job? There's no one else like him on the earth, because he's blameless, true, God fearing, and he distances himself from anything that is bad.'
9 So the Opposer stood up before Jehovah and said: 'Is Job really free to bow before You, Jehovah? 10 Haven't You protected him and everything in his household from anything around him that might be harmful? You've blest everything he does and You've provided huge herds of cattle for him that cover the land! 11 But if You would just reach out Your hand and touch all the things that he has, he would surely rave against You to Your face!'
12 Then Jehovah said to the Opposer: '{Look!} I'm putting everything he has into your handsÉ just don't touch him personally.' And at that, the Opposer left the presence of Jehovah.
13 Well on day, all of Job's sons and daughters had been off drinking wine in the house of their older brother.
14 But then {Look!} a messenger came to Job and told him: 'We were plowing with the teams of oxen and the female burros were grazing nearby, 15 when slavers came and took them all and killed all your servants with swords. I'm the only one who escaped, so I could bring this message to you!'
16 Well while he was still speaking, another messenger arrived and said to Job: 'Lightning came out of the sky and burned up all the sheepÉ and the shepherds were destroyed the same way. I'm the only one who escaped, so I came to report it to you!'
17 And while he was still speaking, another messenger arrived and said to Job: 'Three companies of mounted troops attacked us, then they rounded up the camels and took them, and they killed all your servants with swords. I was the only one who escaped, so I've come to report this to you!'
18 Then, while that one was still speaking, another messenger arrived and told Job: 'Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking with their older brother, 19 when a tornado came toward them from out of the desert and touched down on the four corners of his house and destroyed it, killing all your children. I'm the only one who escaped, and I came to report it to you!'
20 Well with that, Job got up and started ripping his clothes, he cut all the hair off his head, and he bowed all the way to the ground and said: 21 'I came from my mother's belly naked and I will return there nakedÉ Jehovah gave it, and Jehovah took it away. So, what seems good to Jehovah has come to pass. May the Name of the Lord be praised!'
22 Well, despite all these terrible things that happened to him, Job didn't sin against Jehovah a single time, nor did he accuse God of foolishness.
Chapter 2
1 Then on another day, when God's messengers came to stand before Jehovah, the Opposer once more came among them to stand before the Lord. 2 And Jehovah asked the Opposer: 'So, from what place have you come?'
And the Opposer again replied: 'I've been on the earth walking around everywhere under the sky.'
3 So Jehovah asked him: 'Have you been paying attention to my child Job? For there are none others like him on the earth. He's not a wicked manÉ he's true, blameless, God fearing, and he avoids anything that is evil, so he's still innocent. Yet you told me [that he wouldn't remain faithful] if everything he had was destroyed without a reason.'
4 Then the Opposer said to Jehovah: 'Skin for skinÉ a man will give everything he has for his life. 5 For a fact; if You send Your hand to touch his flesh and bones, he will surely rave against You to Your face!'
6 And Jehovah replied to the Opposer: '{Look!} I'm giving him to youÉ just don't take his life!'
7 So the Opposer left Jehovah and struck Job with terrible sores from his head to his feet. 8 And as the result, [Job] had to carry a broken piece of pottery to scrape the pus as he sat in a pile of ashes.
9 Then his wife asked him: 'How much longer are you going to endure this? Just speak a word to God and end it!'
10 But he looked at her and said: 'Why are you acting like such a foolish woman? If we've looked for good things from the hand of Jehovah, shouldn't we also endure the bad?'
11 Then, when three of his friends heard of all the bad things that had happened to him, they each came from their lands to see him. There was EliPhaz the Temanite (a king), Baldad the Shuhite (a sovereign ruler), and Zophar the Minaean (a king), and they had all came to visit him for the purpose of comforting him. 12 However, as they approached, they didn't even recognize him. So they each started shouting, crying, ripping their clothes, and throwing dust in the air. 13 Then they all sat down beside him for seven days and seven nights without speaking a word, for they recognized that this was an terrible calamity, which was much worse than anything that they had anticipated.
Chapter 3
1 Well after this, Job opened his mouth and cursed his day, 2 saying:
3 'May the day I was born be destroyed,
Along with the night when they said, It's a boy!
4 'May that night become very dark;
May the Lord up above never seek it;
And may it not see the coming of dawn.
5 May it be taken by darkness,
And by the shadow of death.
'May that day forever be dimmedÉ
May that day forever be cursed,
6 And its night carried into the darkness.
'No more may it be a day of the year,
Nor may it be counted in one of the months.
7 May that night become one of grieving,
Not one that's happy and joyful.
8 'May the One who brought a curse to that day,
Also heap curses upon it.
May it be [swallowed by] beasts of the sea,
9 And may darkness cover the stars of that night,
So they will no longer be seenÉ
And may they not shine ever after.
'May the morning star not arise,
10 For it failed to close the womb of my mother,
So my eyes wouldn't see all of this misery.
11 'Why didn't I die in her belly,
Instead of having to ever be bornÉ
Why wasn't I killed there and thenÉ
12 Why did her knees come to meet me,
And why did her breasts come to nurse me?
13 'May I go to my bed and lie still.
14 May I sleep and find rest with the kingsÉ
The councilors of the lands where they once pranced with swordsÉ
15 With the rulers who had so much gold,
And who once filled their houses with silver.
16 'O if I had just been miscarried,
Within the womb of my mother,
Like babies who don't see light of day,
17 And go where the anger and rage of the Godless,
Has all been burned up in fire.
'It's that place where the tired find rest for their bones,
18 And where none who have lived through the ages,
Hear tax collector's voices again.
19 It's where the small and the great must all goÉ
The servants [along with] their masters.
20 'Why must those who are bitter see light,
And why is life given to those who are grieved,
21 Then long for death that won't comeÉ
Those rooting for death as though it were treasure,
22 And who'd be overjoyed to attain it?
23 'For to such a man, death becomes rest,
When there's nowhere else he can goÉ
When [our] God stands against him.
24 'My grain has now become moaning,
And I'm crying and shaking in fear;
25 For the things I once feared in my dreams have come true,
And the things I held in awe have now met me.
26 I'm not at peace, or still, or at rest,
For [His] rage has now come upon me.'
Chapter 4
1 Then EliPhaz the Temanite decided to speak. He said:
2 'Do you often complain of your problems?
Who can stand such strong talk?
3 'To many people, you've given advice,
And to the hands of the weak, you've brought comfort;
4 You've lifted the timid with words,
And encouraged the ones who had feeble knees.
5 But now that misery has arrived to touch you,
You tend to be in a a hurry.
6 'Aren't you rather in fear of your own foolish waysÉ
Your own bad hopes and bad paths?
7 Can you think of any who are truly pure,
That [God has] ever destroyed,
Or any of the true who've been wiped away?
8 'I've seen people who plow in strange places,
And those who planted there reaped grief for themselves.
9 Then by [God's] order, they perishedÉ
With the spirit of His wrath they were then wiped away.
10 'So the strength of the lion and the lioness' roar,
And the prancing of beasts is no more.
11 Like the lion's cubs that die without prey,
The young won't come to each other's aid.
12 'So if the things that you said are all true,
And if they all really happened;
Then none of these things would have happened to you.
'Should my ears now start to believe,
That He has now done something so strange?
13 'An echo in the night brings fear to all menÉ
14 It stuns them, makes them tremble, and rattles their bones.
15 But a spirit once came and looked in my face,
Which made my flesh shudder and my hair stand erect.
16 I jumped, for I didn't understand what I saw;
But there it was in front of my eyes.
'Then I felt a breeze and I heard a voice say,
17 Why should a man be pure before God?
For He doesn't even trust His own servants,
And He thinks of His angels as crooked.
19 'Those who live in houses of clay,
Are made from its very same mortar;
So, both are destroyed in the very same way.
20 [They come] in the morning, then by evening, are goneÉ
And if they can't help themselves, they will die.
'He breathes upon them and they witherÉ
They perish in their own foolish ways.'
Chapter 5
1 'So, shout and see who will listen;
Will holy angels appear?
2 Even a fool will end all his madness,
And a man who wanders will soon end his search.
3 'I've seen fools making plansÉ
And then their homes were destroyed.
4 And though their sons were in a safe place,
At the doors of lesser men, they were crushed;
For, no one would come to their aid.
5 'Though the hungry can eat what they harvest;
Those who bear arms can siphon their strength.
6 So the ground will only bring work,
As misery sprouts in the hills.
7 'Though a man is just born to do work,
And young vultures are made to fly in the skies;
8 I will still beg to JehovahÉ
Yes I will still call to the Almighty God,
9 Who does great things that can't be explainedÉ
Things of honor, unnumbered, and odd.
10 'He's the One who sends water down to the ground,
And rain to all places under the sky.
11 He the One who raises the humble,
And returns life the dying.
12 'He alters the plans of the clever,
So that they are unable to do what is true.
13 He conquers the wisdom of the wise,
And surprises the plans of the crafty.
14 'For in daylight, darkness can still come to meet them,
And at noon, they may grope as though it were night.
15 They may also be killed in a war,
While the weak may escape from the mighty.
16 So, there is still hope for those without strength,
And unrighteous mouths may also be closed.
17 'Blest is the man who is spanked by the Lord,
And those who don't ignore the Almighty!
18 For, though He brings pain, He also restoresÉ
He strikes and then He heals with His hands.
19 'Six times, He'll save you from problems,
But in the seventh, He'll give you what's bad.
20 In times of famine, He'll save you from death;
And in war, He'll free you from shackles of iron.
21 From the whip of the tongue, He will hide you,
And you won't have to fear the evils that come.
22 'Then you'll laugh at the unrighteous and lawless,
And not have any fear of wild beasts.
23 For with you, the wild will be peaceful,
24 And you'll know there is peace in your house,
When you tent in your home without sin.
25 You'll know that your seed will be many,
And your children will sprout like weeds in the fields.
26 Then you'll go to your grave like grain in the harvestÉ
Like heaps on the floor in the hour it is reaped.
27 '{Look!} These are the things that we have concluded,
And these are the things that we've heard.
But within yourself, only you know,
Whether you have done something that's evil.'
Chapter 6
1 Then Job spoke. He said:
2 'If you would use a balancing scale,
To measure my anger against all my grief,
You'd find that they both balance outÉ
3 But they're still as heavy as the sands of the seas.
'For it seems as though you've not heard what I've saidÉ
4 That my body has been pierced by God's arrowsÉ
That His rage has been drinking my blood,
And this stings me whenever I start to speak.
5 'Why do wild burros cry out,
When they are not looking for grain?
And why do oxen moo from their stables,
When there is plenty of food?
6 'As bread should be eaten with salt,
What taste do empty words have?
7 But I still can't drive them out of my life.
'Now I groan when I see my cereal grains;
For [to me], they have the odor of lions.
8 'O if He'd just give me the things that I've askedÉ
If the Lord would give me the things that I've hoped.
9 But Jehovah has started to pierce me,
And it's not been removed or come to its end!
10 'So if the place of the dead would become my cityÉ
Onto its walls I would jumpÉ
Yes, I would gladly accept it.
11 'Since I haven't lied about God's holy words,
Why have I still the strength to remainÉ
Why do have I the strength to live on?
12 Am I as mighty as the rocksÉ
Are my body parts made out of bronze?
13 'In Him, have I not put my trust?
Yet His help has been taken away!
14 Has His mercy to me been forbidden,
And have the visits of the Lord overlooked me?
15 'Those closest to me no longer look at meÉ
I'm like a stream that's gone dry,
Or like a wave that's already passed by;
For now, everyone just walks past me.
16 'Those who once showed deep respect,
Now view me like banks of ice or of snow,
17 That has melted away in the heat [of the day],
And no longer is seen as what it once was.
18 That's how I've been abandoned by allÉ
I'm destroyed and I've become homeless.
19 'Behold the Temanite trails,
And all the passes of the Sabaeans,
O you who now think you're seeing things clearly.
20 They [exist because of] those living in towns,
And the things they've come to rely upon there.
21 'Now, with no mercy, you all stand [away],
As though you're afraid of my sores.
22 Yet, what have I asked you to give me,
And how much of your strength have I asked?
23 Just save me from my enemy's hands,
And snatch me away from the mighty!
24 'Teach me, and I'll remain silentÉ
If I've strayed, then prove that it's so!
25 For you view the words of someone who's true,
As though they've become very foul.
'I haven't asked for your strength,
26 And your scolding won't stop me from speaking.
I won't put up with the things that you say;
27 For you're coming down on an orphan,
And you're attacking a friend!
28 'Now, as I gaze at your faces,
I will tell you no lies.
29 So just sit there and don't be unrighteousÉ
Just sit here together with one who is just;
30 For, nothing wrong has come from my tongueÉ
And from my throat has come things to consider.'
Chapter 7
1 'The purpose of man on the earth,
Is surely not just to be tried.
For he lives his life as a hired day worker,
2 And as a servant in awe of his masterÉ
One who stands in the shade of his shadow,
As he is awaiting his wages.
3 'Thus for months, I have waited in vain,
To only receive nights of grief.
4 For when I go to bed, I now say:
How long will it be 'til day comes again?
And thereafter, I must ask when I rise,
How soon will it become night?
'I am filled with grief from morning 'til night;
5 For my body is rotting and covered with worms.
Like clods of earth, I am melting away,
As I'm scraping away all the pus.
6 My life weighs less than my words nowÉ
It has perished in hopes unattained.
7 'My soul has become like a breeze,
And my eyes no longer see good.
8 The eyes of those searching, don't see meÉ
Though their eyes are upon me, I'm gone,
9 Like a cloud that drifts away in the sky.
10 'When a man goes down to his grave,
He doesn't come back up again.
There's no way he'll return to his houseÉ
For, even his home doesn't know him.
11 But I will not close my mouth;
I will still speak of my plight;
I will lay open my soul,
To show all the bitterness it holdsÉ
12 I'll not be like the sea with its dragons.
13 'I once said that my bed brings me comfort.
But now, all I have to offer myself,
Are my own words as I lie on my cot,
14 Where I am frightened by dreams,
And by visions that strike me with terror.
15 '[Please] let my breath leave my soul,
And hand my bones over to death!
16 May I no longer live in [this] ageÉ
For, why must I just keep on waiting,
When all in my life is so empty?
17 'O what is a man that You'd make him so great,
Or notice the things that he thinks?
18 Why visit him until the morning arrives,
And judge him as he lies there asleep?
19 'How long will [You] keep me alive,
And refuse to provide my release,
As I'm swallowing snot in my grief?
20 'If I have sinned, then what can I do,
O You who knows the minds of all men?
Why have You made me [a person] who blames You,
And why have You made me Your burden?
21 'Why not rather forget the laws that I break,
And then cleanse me from all of my sins?
Please let me go into the ground,
And no longer rise early again.'
Chapter 8
1 Then Baldad the Shuhite spoke. He said:
2 'How long will you use the breath from your mouth,
To speak in such a talkative way?
3 'Does Jehovah sin when He judges,
And does the Maker of all harm the righteous?
4 Surely your sons had sinned before HimÉ
Because they were lawless, He took them away!
5 'To seek Jehovah, you always rose early,
And before the Almighty, you've begged.
6 But, if you truly were pure,
He'd have listened to all your requests,
And restored your position in justice.
7 Then, if at first, your men had been few;
In the end, they would be beyond number.
8 'Ask the first generations,
And trace the race of the fathers!
9 For, while they were here, they were not aware,
That shadows would cover their lives in the ground.
10 Doesn't this tell you and doesn't this teachÉ
Don't such sayings arise from your heart?
11 'Can papyrus live without waterÉ
Can the bulrush live without drinking?
12 As long as the plant has its roots,
And before it has been cut down;
If it can't drink from the garden,
Doesn't it wither and dry?
13 'So it is with those who forget the Lord.
Since there is no hope for the Godless,
14 His home won't be lived in again,
And spiders will spread out their tents there.
15 'If no one comes to care for his house,
It won't be able to standÉ
It won't remain unless it's been claimed!
16 'Whenever it's wet under the sun,
From things that are rotten, a branch starts to sprout.
17 So on a pile of stones, a man goes to bed,
And he lives there amidst all the gravel;
18 His place then swallows him down,
And thereafter, it covers him over.
Haven't you seen such a thing?
19 'That's how the godless all come to their endÉ
And then, from the ground, sprouts another.
20 'No way would the Lord bring harm to the goodÉ
But He accepts no gifts from the godless.
21 With laughter, He fills the mouths of the true,
And those who use their lips in His praise.
22 To their enemies, He will always bring shame,
And the homes of the Godless, He will soon wipe away.'
Chapter 9
1 Then Job spoke. He said:
2 'I know for a fact, what you're saying is true;
For, how can a man say he's righteous to God?
3 So, if he wishes to argue this point,
He'll not prove God wrong with thousands of words.
4 For, all of God's thoughts are wise, strong, and great.
'Who can approach Him in anger,
And still have some hope of survival?
5 Do the mountains know who destroys them in rage?
6 'All that's under the sky,
He can shake to its core,
And then He can shake all its columns.
7 He can speak to the sun and it will not rise,
And then He can close up the stars.
8 'By Himself, He can stretch out the sky,
And walk on the sea like a floor.
9 He's the One made the PleiAdes,
As well as Hesperus and ArcTurusÉ
He's the One who arranged the skies in the south.
10 'He does things great and unfathomedÉ
Honorable things beyond number and odd.
If He passed over me, I'd not see itÉ
If He passed me by, I'd not be aware.
12 'When He sends someone away,
Who can thereafter return him,
And who can ask why He did it?
13 'For, God does not turn back His rageÉ
To Him, even the whales must bow under the skies!
14 'So, why should He ever obey me,
Or why should He judge all my problems?
15 And if could I prove myself righteous,
He'd [have no reason to] listenÉ
Though I'd ask Him for His decisions.
16 'Thus, should I call, He may not give an ear,
Nor should I trust that He's heard my voice.
17 'But He shouldn't destroy me in darkness,
Nor bruise me without any reason.
18 For, though He's allowed me to breathe,
I am now filled with what's bitter.
19 'Because He's so mighty and strong,
Who can stand and oppose Him?
20 So, even if IÊhave been righteous,
My mouth would still say wicked things.
And though I might [truly] be blameless,
I'd still produce what is wrong.
21 'But if I am really ungodly,
In my soul, I am still unawareÉ
However, my life has been taken away.
22 'I've said: The mighty kill in their rage;
23 And for the vile, death isn't uncommon.
They're the ones who laugh at the righteous,
24 When they're handed up to the Godless.
For He covers the eyes of the judgesÉ
And if He doesn't do it, who does?
25 'O that my soul was as light as a sprinterÉ
Yet my days passed by without notice.
26 Can my ship be seen on the horizon,
As by an eagle in search of its prey?
27 'So to you here before me, I'll say:
If I'd just forget about speaking,
Then bow my head and just moan;
28 And if I'd just let my limbs shiver,
Wouldn't you still find me guilty?
29 'But if I am someone who's godless;
Why haven't I already died?
30 If I'd wash myself in the snow,
And if I scrubbed all the dirt from my hands,
31 You would still dip me in filth,
And even my clothes would detest me.
32 'Yet, you are men just like me,
With whom I am judged and compared.
Before His Judgment Seat, we'll all standÉ
33 Before the lawyers and accusers,
In front of the One listens to both.
34 'May He set me free from the [whip],
And may I not be twisted in fear.
35 So, I will speak and I won't be afraid,
For I'm still unaware of my crimes.'
Chapter 10
1 'Since my soul has become tired of moaning;
I'll now tell Him how bad that I feel.
2 To Jehovah, I will now say this:
Don't say that I am ungodlyÉ
So, why have You judged me that way?
3 'Would You think it good if I'd sinned,
Or if I'd disavowed the works of Your hands?
Why do You believe what the godless have saidÉ
4 Why look at things as do humans?
'When You look, do You see as men see?
5 Is Your existence like that of a man?
Are Your years as those of just men?
6 'Since You've searched for all my law breaking,
And You've traced out all of my sins,
7 You must know that I'm not ungodly;
But from Your hands, who can wrest me away?
8 'It was Your hands that made me and shaped me,
Then You turned around and You struck me.
9 O remember the day that You shaped me,
Then stand me erect on the ground once again!
10 'You extracted me as though milking,
And then I was curdled like cheese.
11 You put me together with meat, skin, and bones,
And then, with nerves, You entwined me.
12 In mercy, You put life within me,
Then You watched over me and guarded my breath.
13 'But You can do all these things by Yourself;
It's a fact that You can do allÉ
There's nothing that You cannot do.
14 So, if I should sin, please protect meÉ
Declare me free of law breaking.
15 '[Don't count me] among the ungodly!
Yet, though I am righteous, I can't raise my head;
For, I have become so dishonored.
16 'I've been caught like a lion for slaughterÉ
You've turned around to destroy me.
17 You've disciplined me once again,
And dealt with me in great rage,
By bringing these trials upon me.
18 'Why did you lead me out of the bellyÉ
Why didn't I die, so my eyes wouldn't see,
19 As one who had never been born?
Why wasn't I just sent awayÉ
Sent to the tomb as I came from the womb,
20 And why have I lived for so many years?
'Now allow me to rest for a while,
21 And go to the place where I won't returnÉ
To a land that's shrouded and dimÉ
22 A land that's dark through the ages,
Where light and life isn't seen.'
Chapter 11
1 Then Zophar the Minaean spoke, saying:
2 'This One who has so much to say,
Should also listen in turn;
Is this one that is very-well spoken,
Proclaiming himself to be just?
'Those born of women who live just short lives,
3 Are blest, because they have much less to say.
4 'Now, no one's comparing himself to you,
And don't try to say that your deeds are all pureÉ
That you're blameless, as you're standing before Him.
5 'O that Jehovah would speak,
And tell you what He has to say.
6 'Should He speak to you of His wisdom?
His wisdom is so much greater than yours!
But if He did, you would know that what's happened,
Has come because of your sins against God.
7 'Search for the ways of Jehovah,
And you'll find the Almighty's prepared for your end.
8 'Because the heavens are ever so high;
What can you do and what do you know?
'There are things much deeper than the place of the deadÉ
9 They're longer than the span of the earth,
And wider than the breadth of the seas.
10 And if He'd destroy everything on the earth,
Who could ask Him His reason?
11 'He knows the deeds of those who break laws,
And He doesn't overlook their wrongdoing.
12 Yet, men keep swimming in words.
For all men that are born of a woman,
Are no wiser than the desert's wild burros.
13 'But, if you have a truly-pure heart,
And you can spread your hands out before Him;
14 Should He find that you have broken no laws,
And you've stayed a long way from injustice
(That you've kept it away from your home);
15 Your face would then have a shine,
Pure water would wash off your filth,
And you would have nothing to fear.
16 'You'd forget your troubles like waves passing by,
And have no reason for terror.
17 In the morning, your vows would be like the stars,
And at noon, your life would return.
18 'You'd have some hope, if you would comply,
And have peace in place of trouble and strife.
19 For you, there would no longer be war,
And many would turn and beg for your aid.
20 'But for them, will come no salvation;
Since their only hope is destruction,
And the eyes of the godless will melt.'
Chapter 12
1 Then Job spoke. He said:
2 'Have you and the men who are with you,
Reached the end of your wisdom?
3 'I too have a heart that's like yours.
4 But it seems that a man who is righteous and just
Has only been born to be taunted!
5 'There's a time appointed when each man must fall,
And for his house to be pillaged by crooksÉ
But may the wicked not trust [in their badness].
For the guileless will [be given] support,
6 While [the bad] will be taught by God's rage.
7 'You could ask the four-footed creatures
(If they could give you an answer);
Or ask the things that fly in the sky
(If they could give a report)
8 To explain all they know of the earth,
Or to even describe all the fish in the sea.
9 'Are there any among them that don't realize,
They were made by God's hand?
10 For, in His hands are the lives of all things,
As well as the spirits of men.
11 'Men listen with their ears and examine each word,
Then they taste the meanings inside their throats.
12 'Wisdom is ancient and knowledge is old,
13 For from Him comes all wisdom and powerÉ
From Him comes understanding and all good advice.
14 'So, if He chooses to tear something down,
Who can thereafter rebuild it?
And if He chooses to lock up a man,
Who can thereafter release him?
15 'If He should choose to hold back the rain,
All the lands will go dry.
But, He can then choose to release it,
To destroy and wash them away.
16 'In Him, there's both might and strength;
In Him, there is knowledge and all understanding.
17 He strips council away from advisors,
And He [can make fools of] earth's judges.
18 'He's the One who sets kings on their thrones,
And who ties a sash 'round their waists.
19 But He's also the One who sends priests off as slaves,
And can wipe away all the mighty.
20 'The lips of the honest, He understands,
And the words of the elders, He comprehends.
21 Upon rulers, He can pour out dishonor,
While those who are humble, He heals.
22 'He uncovers the darkness of very deep things,
And from the shadow of death, He can lead into light.
23 'He destroys the nations that stray,
And He cuts down those who misled them.
24 He knows the hearts of the rulers of lands,
And He leads them in ways that they don't understand.
25 'So, may they corrupt what is dark, not the lightÉ
May they wander as though they were drunk.'
Chapter 13
1 '{Look!} I've seen such things with my eyes,
And I've heard such things with my ears.
2 'I know the same things that you all know,
And I have as much sense as do you.
3 Thus, I will speak before God,
And I'll scold you, if He will allow it.
4 'For, you have been unrighteous doctors,
And as healers, you've done a poor job.
5 So what a blessing it would be if you would stay stillÉ
Yes, that would be the course of [true] wisdom.
6 'Now, hear these things that I'll tell you,
And heed the judgments that come from my lips.
7 'Aren't you speaking here before God,
And before Him, aren't you being deceitful?
8 Isn't it time for you to back off;
For, aren't you just judging yourselves?
9 'If He should choose to examine your tracks,
And pay attention to all that you do,
10 Then discipline you for each [bad] thing you've doneÉ
You'd worry that He sees all your secrets.
11 'Wouldn't He spin you in His awesome powerÉ
Wouldn't fear of Him overcome you?
12 For your prancing would all become ashes,
And your bodies would turn back to clay.
13 'So, be quiet as I pour out my rage;
14 For I'll grab my flesh with my teeth,
And take hold of myself with my hands.
15 'But, if the Almighty should grab me,
I would speak to Him and complain,
16 And argue that I should be spared.
For He'd find me not guilty of doing what's bad.
17 'Listen to meÉ hear my words;
For I'll shout them into your ears!
18 Look at meÉ yes, gaze upon me,
For though I'm standing before you in judgment,
I know that I'll be found righteous,
19 Since the One who's my judge is impartial.
'Now I'll say nothing more, because I am through,
20 And I'll allow you two things to finish me off,
Then I'll go and hide from your presence.
21 Just keep your hands at a distance,
And give me no reason to fear you.
22 'You can call out to me and I'll listen;
So, speak and I'll give a reply.
23 Of how many sins am I guilty,
And how many laws have I broken?
Yes, tell me just what they have been!
24 'What are you hiding from me,
And why do you think I am lesser than you?
25 Will you avoid me like leaves in the wind,
Or face me like grass in the air?
26 'Against me, you've written so many bad things,
And you've accused me of sins that are common to youthÉ
27 You've opposed me, although I am righteous.
But by now, you've examined all of my deeds,
And to the roots of my feet, you have reached.
28 'I have been aging [so quickly],
And I look like a bag made of leather,
Or like a robe that's been eaten by moths.'
Chapter 14
1 'For men born of women, life is too short,
And his life is too filled with rageÉ
2 Then he drops like a flower that has blossomed,
And escapes like a shadow that has passed.
3 'But, you have required an accounting of me,
And though I've stood in judgment before You;
4 Which [of you] can claim that you're free of all filth?
I am sure there is no one among you!
5 'Man lives but a day on the earth,
And he counts off the months of his life,
Until he has reached the time he's allowedÉ
[A time that] he cannot pass by.
6 Therefore, leave him alone so that he can be still,
And think well of the work that he's done.
7 'For a tree, there's still hope after it's been cut down,
Since it may blossom once more.
For the sprouting of its shoots never fail,
8 Though its roots may be old in the ground.
Yet, even rocks will grow old,
And even the stones melt away.
9 'When the trunk of a tree can smell water,
It will blossom and bear fruit again,
As though it were something that's new.
10 But when a man reaches his end,
That will not be undoneÉ
When he falls, he no longer exists.
11 'In time, even seas will be gone,
And rivers will all be barren and dry.
12 But when man goes to sleep, he won't rise again,
Until [the stars] are all sewn togetherÉ
We never awaken from that sleep.
13 'O that in the grave, You'd hide me and guard me,
Until all Your anger has passed.
Please order a time to be set for me,
When You'll mention my name once again.
14 'Can a man live again after he dies,
Once the days of his life have all past?
As for me; I'll wait 'til I live again,
15 When You'll call out to me and I'll listen.
Please don't undo the work of Your hands!
16 'You've counted all the things that I've done in my life,
And none of my sins have You overlooked.
17 So, take all the laws that I've broken,
Then seal them up in a bag,
And [remove] the ones I meant not to do.
18 'A mountain will fall into ruin,
And a rock will wear out where it stands.
19 In water, even stones become smooth,
And floods wash away the earth's cliffs.
This is how You've destroyed the lengths of men's livesÉ
20 You stab them through and they dieÉ
You just turn Your face and they're gone.
21 'We don't know how many descendants we'll have,
And we'll be unaware if they're few.
22 For our flesh just knows aches and pains,
And our lives will be spent in mourning.'
Chapter 15
1 Then EliPhaz the Temanite spoke. He said:
2 'May I reply to a man who's so wise,
And with a spirit that can understandÉ
Who's known misery since he came from the womb,
3 But who scolds with sayings that'll never be true,
And with words that will never bring profit?
4 'Have you forgotten your fear,
As you speak before God?
5 What has come from your mouth proves your guilt,
For you've failed to examined the words of the great.
6 So, may your own mouth now correct you (not me);
Since against your own lips you have spoken.
7 'Were you the first man to ever be born,
Before the hills had been piled?
8 Did you hear how Jehovah arranged it,
And did God then ask your adviceÉ
Did He gain all His wisdom from you?
9 'What do you know that we do not know,
And what do you see that we've missed?
10 For, we are each much older than you,
And we've lived more days than your father!
11 'Because of your sins, you've been whipped just a bit,
And you've blown this all out of proportion!
12 Dare you see with your eyes or examine with your heart,
How this rage has torn you away from the Lord
13 By spewing such things from your mouth?
14 'Which man do you know who is free from all blame,
Among those who've been born from women?
15 For [God] trusts not even the holyÉ
Before Him, the heavens aren't pure!
16 And the filth of man is disgustingÉ
He sucks unrighteousness down like a drink!
17 'I'll now give my reportÉ so pay attention!
Yes, I will announce what I've seen,
18 And mention the things that the wise men have saidÉ
Things that from their sons, were not hidden.
19 'This land was given to your fathers alone,
When there were no strangers among them.
20 And for the ungodly, there's just been confusion,
While years have been added to the mighty.
21 'In times of peace, men listen in fear,
And this brings about their undoing.
22 So, may they not think they'll return from the dark,
When they're gripped by a hand made of iron.
23 'For the grain of vultures, they've now become,
As they await the death of their bodiesÉ
The dark day that whisks them away,
24 As distress and disaster suck them on down,
And they fall like generals in battle.
25 'It's against Jehovah that they've raised their hands,
And before the Lord, they have stiffened their necks.
26 So for their insolence, they are forced to retreat,
And behind their shields, hide their thickness,
27 Since their faces have been covered with fat,
And their thighs have become very flabby.
28 'So may they lodge in cities now abandoned,
And in houses where people no longer liveÉ
Where all who once had been found there,
Have now been carried away.
29 'May they not be rich or keep what they own,
Or cast a shadow again on the ground,
30 Nor may they flee from the darkness.
'May their buds soon wither awayÉ
May their flowers be blow away in the wind.
31 May they not trust that they will survive,
For soon they'll have nothing at all.
32 'For corruption will prune them away,
So their branches won't grow into trees.
33 May they be gathered like unripened grapes,
And fall like blossoms that don't become olives.
34 'For the unrighteous, the judgment is death;
And for those taking bribes, their homes will be burned.
35 This is all that comes from the womb,
For to all that are born, just comes grief.
Emptiness is all they'll receive,
And in their guts, they must live with their lies.'
Chapter 16
1 Then Job spoke, saying:
2 'Things like this, I've all heard before;
And as those who should be offering comfort,
You surely have done a poor job.
3 'Where is the order to windy words,
And why do you bother to answer?
4 'Now I'll speak the same as you have been doing,
As though my life had been traded for yours.
Then, with my words, I'll attack you,
And at you, I will now shake my head.
5 'O may my mouth be given the strengthÉ
May the movement of my lips serve me well.
6 For, if I speak, my sores will not ache;
And if I'm silent, could they hurt me less?
7 'Now that He's worn me out,
You've latched onto to this festering fool.
8 But as I sit here, I've proven all that I've said,
And thrown your lies back in your faces.
9 'I've been debased by the One with whom I must deal,
And against me, He's grinding His teeth.
The arrows of marauders have struck me,
10 And sharp darts from His eyes have been shot in my kneesÉ
They've all arrived to attack me!
11 'He's handed me over to the unrighteous,
And delivered me to the ungodly.
12 He's removed my chance to make peace,
And as an example, plucked hair from my head.
13 'With their lances, they have me surrounded,
And they've run them into my kidneysÉ
They've done nothing at all that would spare me,
And they've poured my bile on the ground.
14 'They've knocked me down time and againÉ
They have attacked me and won!
15 Then, to my skin, they sewed sackcloth,
And my strength, they've driven into the ground.
16 'My belly now burns from my crying,
And my eyelids are darkened with shadows.
17 Yet, I have been guilty of nothing,
And my hands are clean from the things that I've vowed.
18 'O ground, don't cover the blood of my flesh,
And don't make any room for my cries.
19 'Look; the heavens have served as my witness,
And the heights testify on my behalf.
20 May the things that I beg reach up to the Lord,
And may the tears from my eyes drip before Him.
21 'O that man might plead before God,
As he would on behalf of a neighbor.
22 Yet the days of my life have been counted and reached,
And from the place where I'm going, there is no return.'
Chapter 17
1 'I've been destroyed and I'm borne on the wind;
I've begged to be buried and had no success.
2 So I wearily ask, What have I done?
Have I stolen from strangers?
3 For, who has shackled my hands?
4 'From these men's hearts, You've hidden all wisdom,
And You will never exalt them.
5 You'll announce their badness to all,
And make the eyes of their sons melt away.
6 'But among the nations, You've made me a joke;
And that's why they are laughing at me.
7 But my eyes are now callused to all their rage,
Since I've been attacked by them all.
8 But the righteous have wondered and asked:
Then, why can't the just beat the lawless?
9 'O may the faithful maintain their [right] course,
And the hands of the clean receive courage.
10 Yes, may it all be established;
For among you here, I've found little truth.
11 'In groaning, my days are now spent,
And the hopes of my heart have been ripped away.
12 Night for me is now day,
As the face of darkness draws nearer.
13 'Though I am still here, the grave is my home,
And I'll make my bed where it's dim.
14 For now, my father is death,
And decay is my mother and sisters.
15 'O what hope do I have,
And where will I ever find goodness?
16 Along with me, they've gone to the grave,
And we'll all be buried together.'
Chapter 18
1 Then Baldad the Shuhite spoke, saying:
2 'When are you going to end it?
Stop for a while and let us speak too!
3 Why must we stay silent before you,
Like beasts that walk on four feet?
4 'Anger has gotten the better of youÉ
So what, if you have to die!
Will all life under heaven then come to an endÉ
Will mountains be wiped from their bases?
5 'The light of the godless will soon be put out,
And his flame will be there no longer.
6 The light in his home will be darkness,
And his lamp will thereafter be gone.
7 'The least of men search for the things they once owned,
And they trip on their own good advice.
8 So may his foot fall into a snare,
And in a net, become ever entangled.
9 'Yes, let him fall into a trap,
And may the snare hold him tighter.
10 For the trip line is hidden under the groundÉ
Yes, that which will grab and destroy him,
Is already there in the road.
11 'May grief surround and destroy him,
12 And may hunger encircle his feet.
For him, a downfall has been prepared,
13 And the soles of his feet will be eaten away.
'May death consume his beautiful things,
14 And may the place of his healing be taken awayÉ
For these things have happened by royal decree,
15 Which will camp in his tent through the night.
16 'May his beautiful things be covered with sulfur;
16 May his roots dry out underneath him.
May what he has reaped fall upon him,
17 And the memory of his face be wiped from the land.
18 'May he be pushed from the light into darkness;
19 May even his family forget his name.
May his house remain under the sky,
20 But may it be lived in by others.
'For though he once lived in wonder,
In the end, he just sits here and moans.
21 This is the home of someone unrighteousÉ
It's the place where Jehovah's unknown.'
Chapter 19
1 'Then Job spoke again and said:
2 'How long are you going to weary my soul,
And demolish me with your words?
All you know is the things God has done,
3 And you speak ill of me with no shameÉ
You just keep on pressing against me.
4 'It's a fact that I've been misled,
And delusions are lodging within me.
For I'm speaking words that should never be saidÉ
That mislead, and at the wrong time.
5 'Now you use me to look more important,
And you attack me in scorn.
6 But, know that the Lord is the One who's disturbedÉ
It's He who built this fortress against me.
7 So look; I laugh at your scorn!
'Now, I will stop all this banter;
For if I shout, it won't bring me justice.
8 I'm stuck in a circle through which I can't pass,
And darkness now covers my face.
9 He has taken away all my glory,
And removed the garland that was on my head.
10 'He has pulled me apart and scattered [my bones];
I was marked and cut down like a tree.
11 In His rage, He has treated me badly,
As though I'd been His enemy.
12 His marauders have gathered and attacked me,
And encircled me in an ambush.
13 'Now, all my brothers have left me,
Preferring strangers to me;
And my friends no longer feel pity,
Pretending that they do not know me.
14 'Those dearest to me have forgotten my nameÉ
15 I'm a foreigner to all of my neighbors,
And a stranger to the women who've served me.
16 'When I call to my servant, he doesn't obey,
As with my mouth, I keep begging.
17 I call out to even my wife,
And call sweetly to my concubines' sons.
18 But they listen notÉ they just stand there.
19 'Those who once knew me, dislike me,
And those I once loved, now oppose me,
20 For my skin and flesh are festered with sores,
And my teeth have come loose from my bones.
21 'Please show mercyÉ show mercy my friends;
For the hand of Jehovah has touched me!
22 Why treat me the same as Jehovah has doneÉ
Aren't you yet filled with my flesh?
23 'May my words be written down in a scroll,
And then be preserved though the ages.
24 With a pen of iron, inscribe them on lead,
And may they be set in stone.
25 'For I know that the One who made me this weak,
Has walked 'round the earth through the ages,
26 And it's due to Him that my skin has grown tiredÉ
It's because of Jehovah that I've been worn out.
27 'All things I'm aware of and seen with my eyes,
Have happened to me, not to others.
28 But, what can I ask and what can I sayÉ
Is the root of my problem in Him?
29 'Please turn around and send me what's good,
Or just cover me over.
May Your rage be sent to the lawless insteadÉ
May they be the ones who reap this reward.'
Chapter 20
1 Then Zophar the Minaean spoke, saying:
2 'So far, I've not disagreed,
With any of the words that you've spoken,
Since we both view things in much the same way.
3 So I'll heed your instructions that shame me,
And note the spirit of your reply.
4 'But, haven't you known about all these thingsÉ
That since the time that man was put on this earth,
5 The irreverent one's glee brings his downfall,
And his joy of lawbreaking brings his destruction?
6 'For, even if his gifts should ascend to the heavens,
And his offerings should reach to the clouds;
7 When he thinks that all's going well,
That's when he'll meet with his end.
'Then those who know him will ask where he is.
8 But as in a dream, he will not be found.
9 From then on, all eyes will overlook him,
And no one will note where he'd been.
10 'Though his sons once destroyed weaker [peoples],
And their hands lit fires that brought griefÉ
11 Their bones that once held the vigor of youth,
Will make their beds under the ground.
12 'For, evil was sweet in their mouths,
So they hid it under their tongues.
13 It wasn't left or abandoned,
But they brought it up from their throats.
14 'So, now they can't help themselves;
For the poison of asps is inside their guts.
15 And all the wealth that they've unjustly gained,
Will be collected and vomited out,
As angels drag them out of their homes.
16 'May they have to endure the rage of wild beastsÉ
May the tongues of snakes now destroy them.
17 May they never again see cows being milked,
Or see pastures of butter and honey.
18 'Then their wealth will seem empty and vain,
And for such things, they will lose all their taste,
Since they'll be too tough to be chewed,
And they'll find that they can't take it with them.
19 'And though they once crushed the homes of the mighty,
And by force, taken their houses;
What they have will be no longer theirsÉ
20 For what they owned will be no longer safe,
And they won't hold onto the things they desired.
21 'For them, there'll be no more food,
And good things will no longer blossom.
22 Though they once had [all they'd desired],
Problems arose and then it was cursed.
23 'When they have enough to fill up their bellies,
God sends someone else to succeed them.
So, may He now send His anger and rage,
And upon them, pour out floods of grief.
24 'From hands of iron, may they not be savedÉ
May they be shot through by brass bows.
25 May the arrows go clean through their bodies,
And may fear then walk through their homes.
26 'May they have to wait in the darkness,
To be burned by the fire of the ages.
May strangers bring what's bad to their homes;
27 May the heavens uncover all their lawless deeds;
And may the ground now rise up against them.
28 'May their homes be destroyed 'til the end,
And may that day of rage come upon them.
29 For, this is what the irreverent will receiveÉ
It's their reward from the One who keeps watch.'
Chapter 21
1 Then Job spoke, saying:
2 'Listen to meÉ hear my words!
I don't need such comfort from you!
3 Now, please help me up and I'll speak;
For I won't accept such abuse!
4 'Since it's by men that I'm being accused,
Don't I have a good reason for rage?
5 'Why are you looking at me in great wonder,
As you put your hands to your jaws?
6 But, as I try to remember the reason,
I'm hasty, because of the grief in my flesh.
7 'Why do the godless continue to live,
And why are they allowed to grow rich and old?
8 They plant whatever their souls might desire,
And their children are there in front of their eyes.
9 'Their houses continue to prosper,
And none of them are in fear;
For they don't feel the whip of the Lord.
10 'None of their cattle are stillborn,
And their pregnant are also protected;
So, none of them stumble or fall.
11 'Their sheep remain through the ages,
And their children are playing before them.
12 They hold their flutes to their mouths,
And enjoy sacred hymns strummed on harps.
13 'For as long as they live, they have good things,
Then they lie down to rest in the grave.
14 They say that God doesn't see [what they've done],
Since they've chosen to not to know of His ways.
15 'So, why should we continue to serve HimÉ
For us, what good does it do,
16 Since He doesn't inspect godless hands,
And they are always filled with what's good?
17 'But their lamps will soon be extinguishedÉ
Their reward is to feel the pain of His rage.
18 They'll be like straw that's blown in the wind,
And as clouds of dust in a storm.
19 'May their possessions and sons all be lost,
And may they know that God has repaid them.
20 May they see their slaughter with their own eyes,
When Jehovah is not there to save them.
21 Then, what joy will they have in their homes,
When all of their months have been numbered?
22 'Doesn't Jehovah send wisdom?
For who else gives people their insightÉ
Isn't it He the One who makes judges wise?
23 'Yet, one dies who did whatever he wished,
Enjoying prosperity and pleasureÉ
24 Full, fat, and filled up with marrow.
25 While another ends life with what's bitter,
Having never tasted what's good.
26 But they both go to sleep in the ground;
And with decay they're both covered.
27 'So I know what you'll say as you're pressuring me:
28 Where are the houses where princes will live,
And the safe tents where the impious will dwell?
29 'Ask those passing by on the roads, and you'll see,
That the signs are all very clear;
30 For that day of destruction will come,
When He will enlighten the wickedÉ
And in the day of His rage, they'll be gone.
31 'Then, to their faces, He will accuse them,
And speak of the bad things they've done.
He will come to repay them,
32 As they lie awake upon heaps of trash,
And then to their tombs, they'll be led.
33 'In gravel, they then will be covered,
As other men come to see themÉ
Yes, they'll come in great numbers to stand there.
34 'So, why waste your time to offer me comfort,
Since you have done nothing to help me rest!'
Chapter 22
1 Then EliPhaz the Temanite spoke, saying:
2 'Doesn't wisdom and understanding come from the Lord?
3 So, why should He be concerned,
If what you've been doing is pure?
'What good [do you think] it would do Him,
If all your ways have been clean?
4 Will He discipline you for the things that you say,
Or join with you in your judgments?
5 'Haven't you done many bad thingsÉ
Could anyone count all your sins?
6 Haven't you taken what your brothers need,
Without having any [good] reason?
Haven't you claimed the clothes of the naked,
7 Refused to give water to the thirsty,
And taken scraps of food from the famished?
8 'You've shown favor to the faces of some,
While you removed the poor from their land.
9 You've sent away widows with nothing at all,
And orphans, you have treated badly.
10 So the snares that you've set have now captured you,
And this is why such a war has arrived.
11 'So, light for you is now darkness,
And when you sleep, you're covered in dew.
12 Because, the Living One is paying attention,
And He humbles those who think themselves high.
13 'You've asked, What does the Almighty know?
And can He judge what happens in darkness?
14 He's concealed by the clouds, so He can't be seen,
As He travels across the arc of the sky!
15 'It's not yours to guard the roads of the ages,
Which have been walked by the righteous,
16 Who were taken away in untimely [deaths],
Like rivers overflowing their banks!
17 Even they had once asked,
What will God do to usÉ
What will the Almighty bring?
18 'He's the One who filled their houses with good things,
But the council of the the Godless He pushes away.
19 The righteous all laugh when they see this,
And the blameless sneer at such ones.
20 For their supports will then vanish,
And their clothes will be burned up in fire.
21 'So, you must be strong if you want to survive,
And then you'll receive your reward
For all the good things you did.
22 Remove all the [bad] from your mouth,
Then, put His words in your heart!
23 'Turn back and be humbled by God,
And stay away from wrongdoing!
24 Then you'll lay away gold as though it were dust,
That's found in the wadis of Ophir.
25 The Almighty One will watch over you,
And you will have plenty of silver.
26 'So, confess [your sins] to Jehovah,
And look to the heavens in joy.
27 Make vows to Him and He'll listen to you,
Then He'll give you the strength to do as you've vowed,
28 And restore you to a righteous condition,
And all your ways will be bright once again.
29 'For the One who humbles himself,
Will admit that he's been too proud;
And [God] will save those who've been humbled.
30 'Yes, those free from guilt will be rescued by HimÉ
But first, you must make your hands pure!'
Chapter 23
1 Then Job spoke, saying:
2 'I know for a fact that my change of state,
Is something that's out of my hands.
For His hand has been so heavy on me,
And it is the source of my moaning.
3 So who knows if I'll ever find Him again,
And bring these things to an end.
4 'Now, on myself, I'll pass judgment,
And with scolding words, I'll fill my mouth.
5 Then I'll learn the cure, for He'll show it to meÉ
I'll understand, for He will explain!
6 'He'll come to me with great strength,
And I know He won't do so unsurely.
7 He'll send me truth and correction,
And bring an end to my case.
8 'But, if I should be the first one to go,
And if I should no longer be;
How could I know how it ends?
9 'With His left hand He actsÉ I can't stop Him;
And what He covers with His right, I can't see.
10 He already knows all my ways;
For He's searched me through as though I were gold.
11 'My feet have walked in His footstepsÉ
I've kept His ways and not swerved.
12 I have never rejected commands from His lips,
And I've held in esteem the words from His mouth.
13 But, if He has judged me as guilty,
Who can say that He's wrong?
14 'For this, I have quickly turned toward Him,
And when I'm corrected, I keep Him in mind.
15 For, grave are the things that come from His faceÉ
They are things that leave me in terror.
16 'Yet, Jehovah has softened my heartÉ
The Almighty has moved me to action.
17 For I never suspected that darkness would come,
And before my face, all would go dim.
Chapter 24
1 'Why hasn't Jehovah noticed our time,
2 When the godless are overrunning our bordersÉ
Those who seize both the shepherds and sheep?
3 'From the orphans, they've taken their burros,
And the cows upon which the widows relied.
4 They keep the disabled from walking upright,
So the gentle of the land have run off to hide.
5 'They act like burros that stray into fields,
And find the bread of infants delicious.
6 They harvest in fields not their own,
And reap it before it is ripe.
'The godless hire the disabled,
Then put them to work in their vineyardsÉ
And then they don't pay them or feed them!
7 They leave them nakedÉ without any clothes,
And take what they need to survive.
8 So in mountain mists, they must then bathe,
And hide in the rocks for protection.
9 'They snatch away little childrenÉ
They take them away from the breast,
In payment for debts that are owed.
10 They mistreat and rest on the naked,
And take scraps of food from the famished.
11 'In alleys, they lie in wait to do harm,
And righteous ways, they don't know.
12 They throw people from their homes in the cities,
And bring moaning to the lives of their children.
13 'So, why does the One who is watching
Fail to act on this earth?
For they pay no attention to Him,
Disregarding what's just,
And taking the easiest way.
14 'In the cover of darkness, they murder,
And during the night, they are thieves.
15 'The adulterer watches for darkness and says:
They'll not know that my eyes will be watching.
And as his face remains hidden,
He carves peepholes in homes in the darkness.
16 'During the day, they must lock themselves in,
So they never come to know light.
17 But at dawn, they will see the shadow of death,
And observe the bad things it brings.
18 'Though he sees his face in the water as good;
May his portion on the earth forever be cursed,
And may all that he plants wither and dry.
19 'They grab hold of the arms of the orphans;
20 So, [please] remember their sins!
Like fog, may they soon pass away,
And may they vanish like dew.
'Please repay him for all he has doneÉ
Like rotting wood, may he be destroyed.
21 For, those without sons, he's mistreated,
And he shows no mercy to those who need aid.
22 The disabled, he's knocked to the ground in his rage,
And now, no man's life feels secure.
23 'May they get sick and never be healedÉ
May their illness bring death!
24 'Because many are harmed by their arrogant ways,
Like mallows, may they wither in heatÉ
Like an ear of grain that falls on its own.
25 'If such things aren't so, then say that I've lied,
And disregard all that I've said.'
Chapter 25
1 Then Baldad the Shuhite said:
2 'What kind of insight and fear does he haveÉ
This One who makes it sound so important?
3 'Let's not assume that [God] will save us from robbers,
Or that we'll never be ambushed.
4 For, which man can say he's righteous to GodÉ
Can men born of women make themselves clean?
5 'If [God] ordered the moon, it wouldn't shine,
And before Him, the stars are impure.
6 [So to Him], all mankind is rotten,
And the sons of men are like worms.'
Chapter 26
1 Then Job spoke, saying:
2 'Who are the ones that are closest to youÉ
Those whom you'd turn to for aid?
Aren't they the ones who are mightyÉ
Those with great muscled arms?
3 'To whom do you turn when you need adviceÉ
Isn't it those who are known to be wise?
And which do you chose to followÉ
Isn't it those who have the most power?
4 So, to whom are you speaking these words,
And whose breath is now coming from you?
5 Will giants start acting like midwives,
And go under the water for neighbors?
6 'For the grave lies naked before Him,
And He's wrapped in a robe of destruction.
7 He stretches the north wind on nothing,
And on nothing, He has hung the earth.
8 'He takes water and binds it in clouds;
Yet the bottoms of the clouds never rip.
9 He hides the face of [the moon],
By spreading the clouds as its cover.
10 'By His order, the sea's face is round,
From where the light reaches to darkness.
11 The columns of the skies, He's spread all around,
And they shake when they hear of His rage.
12 'By His might, He settled the seas in their beds,
And in His wisdom, He spread it for whales.
13 Of Him, the bolts in the skies stand in awe,
And by His order, they killed the dragon defector.
14 '{Look!} These are just a small part of His ways;
For when He breathes a word we will listen!
So who knows when He will bring changeÉ
When He'll bring the strength of His thunder?'
Chapter 27
1 Then Job continued in his own defense.
2 'As God lives;
He's the One who has judged meÉ
It's the Almighty who's made my life bitter.
3 But as long as my spirit is in me,
And the Divine One's Breath remains in my nose;
4 My lips won't speak lawless things,
Nor will my life contemplate wrong;
5 For such things bring the sentence of death!
'I'm not saying that I'm free from blameÉ
6 But I'll cling to what's right and never let go,
For I know when I'm doing what's wrong.
7 'May my enemies disappear with the godless,
And my opposers be destroyed with lawbreakers.
8 'What kind of hope have the godless?
Do they think they'll be saved by JehovahÉ
9 That God will hear what they pray,
Or He'll come when they are in need?
10 Can they stand before Him securely,
As those who can call and be heard?
11 'I'll tell you the things that [God] holds in His handsÉ
I won't lie about the Almighty.
12 {Look!} For He piles what's foolish on the foolishÉ
13 This is what the impious will get from the Lord,
And it's what their mighty will receive.
14 'Should the Almighty One come to their aid,
And should their sons become many? No!
Their purpose is just to be slaughtered,
And they'll beg to be allowed to grow into men.
15 But, those who remain will die of the plague,
And on their widows, none will show mercy.
16 'If they gather silver as though it were dirt,
And set aside gold as though mortar;
17 The righteous will [soon] own these things,
And those who are true will control it.
18 'Then his house will belong to the moths,
And to the cobwebs of spiders.
19 The rich man will sleep and not rise againÉ
He'll be dead, though his eyes are wide open.
20 'Grief will pour upon him like water,
And dark will overtake him during the night.
21 A burning wind will snatch him away,
And like chaff, he'll be blown from his place.
22 'He'll be sent where no one can save himÉ
By [God's] hands, he'll be thrown into exile.
23 Then all men will be clapping their hands,
And they'll whistle at him from wherever they are.'
Chapter 28
1 'There is a place where silver is mined,
And a place where gold is refined.
2 Men take iron out of the ground,
And copper is quarried like stones.
3 This is how He's established an order for darkness,
And precisely set all its limits.
'Like the darkness [that's inside a mine],
So is the shadow of death.
4 And as they [pan gold] in rushing streams,
The ways of the just are discoveredÉ
By mortal men, they are sifted.
5 Even bread comes out of the ground,
As though roasted in fires from down below.
6 'There are places where sapphires are found,
And places where gold may be mined.
7 There are also roads even birds do not knowÉ
By the eyes of eagles, they've been overlooked.
8 They haven't been walked by the sons of the rich,
Nor have even lions ever gone there.
9 'He's sticks out His hand and chisels a place,
And the roots of mountains, He overturns.
10 The banks of rivers, He has destroyedÉ
And my eyes have beheld such great things.
11 'The depths of rivers, He has laid bare,
And He displays their power in [day]light.
12 But, where can wisdom be found,
And what is the source of great knowledge?
13 'For, no man really knows of its ways,
Since such ways can't be found among men.
14 Says the abyss, It's not found in me,
And says the sea, Nor in me!
15 So, no one can make an investment in it,
And with silver, it cannot be bought.
16 'It can't be compared to all Ophir's gold,
Nor to precious onyx or sapphires.
17 With [diamonds] and gold it can't be compared,
And it can't be bought with gold coins.
18 'I won't compare it to crystals or coral,
For wisdom is higher than all we could want.
19 To Ethiopian topaz, it can't be compared,
Nor can it equaled by the finest of gold.
20 'So, where can wisdom be found,
And from where comes great understanding?
21 It escapes the notice of every man,
And is hidden from the birds in the skies.
22 'Thus say the days of destruction and death:
We have heard of its fame!,
23 For God speaks well its ways,
And He knows where it can be found.
24 'He looks down from the heavens,
And from there He inspects everything,
So He sees all that happens on the earth.
25 'He also weighs everything that He makesÉ
He's measured the wind and the waterÉ
26 When He made them, He saw them and counted it all,
Then He made a way for the thunder.
27 'He saw [what He made] and described itÉ
The One who prepared it has tracked all its ways,
28 And this is what He has concluded:
{Look!} Wisdom is being like God,
And higher knowledge is staying away from what's bad.'
Chapter 29
1 Then Job continued saying this:
2 'O that He'd let me return,
To that month once againÉ
To those days when He watched over meÉ
When His lamp was lit over my head,
3 And by His light, I traveled through darkness;
4 When I walked down the roads in importance,
And when God watched over my house;
5 When I was exceedingly plump,
And my children were gathered around me;
6 When all that I did poured like butter,
And mountainous things poured like milk;
7 When, in the morning, I went into town,
And they'd set a chair for me in the square.
8 'Before me, the young ran and hid,
And the elders arose in respect.
9 Stout men would all stop their speaking,
And place their fingers over their mouths.
10 'Then, all who listened said I was blest,
And their tongues would stick in their throats.
11 They heard with their ears and then praised me,
And when they saw me, they all stepped aside.
12 For from the hands of the mighty, I rescued the poor,
And to helpless orphans, I supplied aid.
13 'So you who are dying; please praise me againÉ
May the mouths of widows praise me once more!
14 For I once dressed up to give justice,
And I put on a robe that was doubled;
15 Then I served as eyes for the blind,
As well as feet for the lameÉ
16 And to the disabled, I became like a father.
'When I didn't know the right thing to do,
It worked out well anyhow.
17 I broke the molars of the unrighteous,
And I snatched prey from their teeth.
18 'I said, I will grow old
And round like the trunk of a palm,
And I will live for many more years;
19 For my roots have reached deep to the water,
And on my harvest, the dew always settles.
20 'Back then, my glory meant little to me;
For I entrusted my bow to His hands.
21 Then men would pay attention to me,
And stay silent as I offered council.
22 'When I was speaking, they never spoke;
And they were joyful whenever I talkedÉ
23 As the ground enjoys rain when it's thirsty,
That's how they considered my words.
24 'For at them, I never laughedÉ
Which is why they trusted my council.
For the light of my face was always before them,
25 And I showed them the right way, so I was their prince.
Though I camped like a king 'midst his army,
I remembered to comfort the mourning.'
Chapter 30
1 'Now I'm ridiculed by even their least;
And those whose fathers I've viewed with contempt,
Now dare to give correction to meÉ
Those whom I once thought unworthy
To serve as dogs to watch over my flocks.
2 'So, what value is the strength of their hands before me,
Since their vigor has already perished?
3 They're in need and hungry, with nothingÉ
They're miserable, like those who flee from a war,
To hide in a place without water!
4 'They stand on the shore and pick seaweed;
For, plants from the sea are their grain.
They have no honor, and nothing to give;
They're looked on as worthless and lacking all good.
'In hunger, they've gnawed upon tree rootsÉ
5 These ones who've risen against me like thievesÉ
6 Those who once burrowed in rocks.
7 'But they look for places to yell
(These ones with homes made of sticks).
8 They're the sons of dishonored fools,
Whose fame will soon be wiped from the land.
9 'Yet now, they're strumming their harps about meÉ
I'm the topic of their discussions.
10 They dislike me and stay far away,
And into my face, they now spit.
11 'So [God''s] opened His quiver and shot me through,
Then He led me away from His presence.
12 'For the hands of their sons have risen against meÉ
They stick their legs out and kick me!
13 They've wiped my ways from their wicked paths,
And taken the clothes that I wore.
'So He's run me through with His spear,
14 And He's judged me the way that He wished.
So with anguish, I now am befouledÉ
15 For all my grief has returned.
My hope has gone like the wind,
And my salvation has faded like clouds.
16 'So, may my life soon be poured out,
For I've had enough days of this grief.
17 All night long, my bones burn,
And my nerves are broken and shattered.
18 With great strength, it has taken my robeÉ
And in the folds of my clothes I've been wrapped.
19 'Now you're treating me as though I were dirt,
And think that ashes are all I deserve.
20 Though I've cried out to you, you don't listenÉ
You just stand and consider my plight.
21 'Together, you've joined to attack me,
And with mighty hands, you have whipped me.
22 You've handed me over to grief,
And removed any hope of salvation.
23 'I know that death will soon wipe me away,
For the ground is the home of all mortals.
24 So, should I think of killing myself,
Or ask someone else to do it for me?
25 'Though I've cried over all the disabled,
And moaned when I saw people in need,
26 I am still waiting for good things to come,
And I hope for good days, not bad.
27 'My belly is noisy with rumbles,
As more days of suffering confront me.
28 I'm moaning because of discomfort,
As among the congregation, I weep.
29 'To trapped demons, I am now their brother,
And to the ostrich, I am his companion.
30 My skin has become very dark,
As my bones continue to swelter in heat.
31 'So in mourning, I now strum my harp,
And my hymns are all about weeping for me.'
Chapter 31
1 'I've made a vow that my eyes,
Will not pay attention to virgins,
2 For what I have came from God up aboveÉ
It's the inheritance of what the Most High saw fit.
3 'To the godless comes woe and destruction,
And those who break laws are alone.
4 So why won't He consider my ways,
And count the footsteps I've taken?
5 For I haven't traveled with those who play jokes,
And my feet haven't rushed to do evil things.
6 So, I can step on a scale
And prove myself just in the balance.
For Jehovah knows that I've done no wrong,
7 And my feet haven't turned from His way
(Though my eyes often follow my heart),
And my hands have never touched bribes.
8 Yet, what I have planted, others now eatÉ
I no longer have roots in the ground.
9 'If my heart has followed another man's wife,
And if I stood in wait at her door,
10 May my wife then please other men,
And my babies be humbled thereafter.
11 For the One who dirties another man's wife,
Should receive [God's] unrestrained anger.
12 May a fire burn within all his parts,
And may he be destroyed to his roots.
13 'If I disregarded my debts to my servants,
And if my maids ever had to beg before me,
14 What could I say to my God,
When I am beaten by HimÉ
When He visits me, how could I reply?
15 For, weren't they also born from a wombÉ
Didn't come from the belly?
16 'But the disabled and needy never missed out,
And the eyes of the widows weren't wasted.
17 Even when I ate my food all alone,
I set some aside for the orphans.
18 Like a father, I fed them the food from my mouth,
And I led them as though from my own mother's womb.
19 'If I hadn't provided for those without clothes,
20 Or offered help to the disabled
Unless they offered me blessings;
Or refused to take the wool from my lambs,
And use it to warm up their shoulders;
21 If I'd not lift a hand to help orphans,
Or help those who trusted me to give aid,
22 May my shoulders be pulled from my collar bones,
And my arms be broken at the elbows.
23 'It was the fear of Jehovah that caused me to act;
For without His care, I couldn't endure.
24 If I had trusted in gold for my strength,
Or in gems, had put all my trust;
25 If I [did these things] to make myself rich,
Or to get my hands on great treasure;
26 May my eyes see the sun growing dim,
And the moon as it starts to darken.
27 'So if my heart has deceived me,
And I've secretly [kissed] my own hand;
28 May this be considered the worst of my crimes,
For I've lied to the Most High, Jehovah.
29 'If I felt joy at my enemy's downfall,
And said in my heart, Well done;
30 Then, let my ears hear the curses I'm due,
And may everyone speak of my badness.
31 'I've never said to my female attendants,
Please give me some of your flesh!
32 Nor have I forgotten the need to be kind;
And to lodge strangers, my door was kept open.
33 'Unintentional sins, I've not hidden,
And I've never been swayed by the masses.
34 The disabled, I've never turned from my door,
Or with empty stomachs, sent them away.
35 'O please may I find someone to listenÉ
Someone in awe of the hand of the Lord!
For I've never sent anyone bills,
36 Nor read what they owed me while wearing a crown.
37 I just tore them up and returned them,
Without getting what's due from my debtors.
38 'Have I given the ground a reason to moanÉ
Have I given her furrows reasons to weep?
39 If I have taken some of her strength,
40 And ate it alone without paying;
Or if I've made the land's owner mad,
And he's been bothered by this;
41 May my wheat become stinging nettles,
And my barley be turned into weeds.'
Well with that, Job stopped speaking.
Chapter 32
1 After that, all got quiet, and Job's three friends stopped contradicting him, for they started thinking that he was truly a righteous man. 2 Then EliHu (the son of BarachiEl the Buzite, a descendant of Ram from Ausis) became very angry with Job for declaring himself righteous before God. 3 And he was also indignant with Job's three friends, because they couldn't give Job a reply and they found him to be a righteous man.
4 EliHu had patiently waited to give Job an answer, because the others were much older than him. 5 But when he saw that no more replies were coming from the mouths of these men, he became angry and went into a rage.
6 So EliHu (the son of BarachiEl the Buzite) then said:
'Because I'm younger in years,
And you are much older than me;
I've chosen not to speak until now,
For I feared to say the things I must say.
7 I said, This isn't the time for me to speak out;
For with their years, they have gained much more wisdom.
8 Yet, though there's a spirit in humans,
The Almighty's Breath does the teaching.
9 And since the wise don't live long enough,
The old don't always know what is right.
10 'Now I beg you all to listen to me,
And I'll tell you the things that I know.
11 Give an ear to what I will say,
And I'll speak to you free of charge.
12 'Examine my words and you'll see,
You've not given Job the correction he needs.
13 Don't say that you've found wisdom from God,
14 For you got your commission from men!'
15 Well at that, they were all afraid and they refused to say anything more, because the words they were hearing had the sound of age. 16 Also, he had waited and refused to speak until they stood there with no answer.
17 So EliHu said:
'Now, I am ready to speak,
And I have many things that I wish to say.
18 'I cannot hold back the wind in my chest,
19 For inside me, it bubbles like very young wineÉ
It's been tied up in me like a bellows,
And awaiting the time to break out.
20 'So now I will speak and give myself rest,
For the time has arrived to open my lips.
21 'I'm not embarrassed to speak before men,
Nor will I feel shame before humans.
22 For, if I should show special favor to men,
By moths, may I then be devoured.'
Chapter 33
1 'Listen, O Job, to my wordsÉ
Give ear to what I am saying!
2 For {Look!} I will now open my mouth,
And use my tongue to instruct.
3 These words are pure and come from my heart,
And what comes from my lips is all clean.
4 'By the Breath of [God], I was made;
And by the Almighty's Spirit, I have been taught.
5 So, if you are able to answer,
Then reply to me concerning these things!
Yes, waitÉ just stand here [and face] me,
And I will stand up to you!
6 'You and I were both make of clayÉ
From the same dirt, we were formed,
7 So don't twist against me in fear.
8 'Now, the things that I heard you say,
And the claims that I heard you make, are:
9 I am pure and I have not sinned;
I'm blameless and I've broken no laws.
10 Yet, though He has no valid complaint,
He thinks me to be His opponent.
11 For He's put my feet into stocks made of wood,
And watched all the things that I've done.
'But, how can you claim to be righteous,
And say that He's paid no attention to you?
12 For He has lived through the ages,
And is far above all us mortals.
13 Yet you ask, Why hasn't He seen my just waysÉ
Why hasn't He heard what I've said?
14 'Jehovah may only speak once,
Or He may reply even twice.
15 He may send a dream or a vision at night,
Bringing us fear we lie in our beds.
16 'He uncovers the things that men think,
And He sees the things that we fearÉ
Then He uses such things just to scare usÉ
17 To turn us away from our sins,
And to rescue our bodies from downfall.
18 From death, He is saving our lives,
And protecting us from many battles.
19 'When we are sick in our beds,
And when our bones cannot move;
This is discipline that is coming from Him.
20 Then when we're offered grain, we won't take it,
Though food is the thing that we really need.
21 'Our flesh will just lie there and fester,
Until our bones can be seen,
22 And death has finally approached.
Then it sends our lives into the grave.
23 'But though thousands of angels may come to bring death,
No way will one pierce you through,
If in your heart, you'd just make a change,
And turn to Jehovah again.
'So it's about ourselves that we should complainÉ
We should speak of the laws that we've broken;
24 For then our God would support usÉ
Not allow us to fall into death.
'Then, as someone who plasters a wall,
He'd make our bodies new once again,
Refilling our bones with their marrow,
25 And renewing our flesh like a baby,
To restore us to what we had once been.
26 'If you make a vow to Jehovah,
And your vow is thereafter accepted,
You'll walk away with a face that is clean,
And a mouth that's speaking His praisesÉ
For He always deals justly with men.
27 'So we each should blame ourselves and then say,
What are the things that I've done?
What have I done to be disciplined,
And what are the sins I've committed?
28 O save my soul from corruption,
So I can see light once again!
29 '{Look!} This is how the Almighty deals with each one,
And they're the three things that He does.
30 For from death, He has rescued my soul,
So my life can go on to praise Him in light.
31 'O Job;
Lend me an ear and hear what I sayÉ
Be quiet, for I am now speaking!
32 But if there are words you can use to reply,
Then speak, for you should be given what's just!
33 But if you don't, then just hear me outÉ
Be quiet and I'll tell you what's wise!'
Chapter 34
1 Then EliHu continued:
2 'And hear me now, O you wise menÉ
Give ear, O you who have knowledge!
3 For the ear judges words as the mouth tastes it's food.
4 That's how we should also be judging ourselves,
Since we already know whether we have been good!
5 'Now, Job has said, Although I am righteous,
Jehovah has ended my case,
6 And He lied about me when He judged me.
So at His injustice, I now shake my spear!
7' Though Job is a man who drinks [wine],
And sneers as though it were water,
8 He has no sin or irreverence,
And has nothing to do with the lawless,
Nor has he gone along with the godless.
9 'Now, perhaps you think it all wrong,
For someone to watch over men.
10 Yet we all are watched by Jehovah,
And He searches through all our hearts.
'Listen, yes hear me, my God;
For no way do I wish to show direspectÉ
May the Almighty not think me unjust!
11 'He pays men back for all they deserve,
And in his own paths, each man finds Him.
12 'Can you imagine Jehovah being guilty of wrong,
Or the Almighty One being unjust?
Is not the earth His creationÉ
13 Didn't He make all that's under the sky?
14 'So if He would hold back His power,
Or if He removed all His Breath,
15 Life on earth would come to an end,
And mortals would return to where they were formed.
16 'But, what if He didn't correct us?
Shouldn't we hear the sounds of His words?
17 {Look!} He's the One who hates all lawbreaking,
And through the ages, He's righteous;
So, He will destroy all the wicked!
18 'It's impertinent to say to a king,
You have broken the law,
Or to say to a prince,
You have acted ungodly.
19 'So who may show disrespect
To a person of honor?
For the mighty are never appointed,
Because He thought well of their faces.
20 'Nothing good can come when we cry out to men;
For they're all unrighteous and won't help the poor.
21 But, He observes the things that they do,
And their acts don't escape His attention.
22 'There is no place for the lawless to hide;
23 For He tolerates men no more than He must.
24 So all men are inspected by God,
And He notices those who do wrong.
'He observes the things that are hidden,
As well as things to be honoredÉ
Extraordinary things unnumbered.
25 He knows all the [bad] things we do,
And He humbles us during the night.
26 'He wipes away the ungodly,
Because He can see what they doÉ
27 When they turn away from God's Laws,
And give no thought to His rules.
28 'The cries of the needy reach up to Him,
And He hears the calls of the poor.
29 So, since He's the One who is bringing them rest,
Who would dare to condemn Him?
'If He hides His face, who will see Him,
Whether a nation or just a man?
30 But, He can appoint a hypocrite king,
If He finds the people unruly.
31 'Has anyone heard a mighty one say,
I've been so blest that I don't need His [aid]?
32 Or, Unless He can prove that He knows of my sins,
There is nothing more I must do?
33 'Will He pay for the things that you've thrown away?
Give me an answerÉ yes, tell me!
34 'Understanding hearts will reply to such things,
And a wise man will hear what I've said.
35 But Job hasn't thought about this,
Since his words don't reflect higher knowledge.
36 'So learn, O JobÉ don't be a foolÉ
37 Don't add any more to your sins!
For we're all considered law breakers,
When we stand and speak [before God].'
Chapter 35
1 Then EliHu continued:
2 'Why does justice matter to you?
Who are you to proclaim yourself righteous,
And say you deserve no vengeance from God?
3 'You've asked what sins you've committed.
And about this, I'll give you an answer,
Then I'll tell it to these, your three friends.
4 'Look up to the sky and see,
How high the clouds are above you!
5 So, if you have sinned, what will you do?
6 Yes, what can you do if you've broken [God's] laws?
7 'And if you are truly so righteous,
What are the things you can give Him,
And what will He take from your hands?
8 Will He accept irreverence from men,
Or unrighteousness from their sons?
9 'Many call out when they have been robbedÉ
But they yell at the strong one who robbed them!
10 They don't ask, Where is [God] who made meÉ
The One who's in charge of night watches,
11 And made me different from the beasts of the earth,
As well as from the birds in the sky?
12 'Oh, they can cry out, but no one will listen
For there's insolence [in the hearts] of the wicked.
13 Yet there's nothing that goes unnoticed by God,
Because He is the Almighty.
14 'He observes all those who break laws,
And you can ask Him to save youÉ
That is, if you're praising Him now!
15 'He assigns no numbers to His rage,
And He sets no limits on sins.
16 Yet, Job has foolishly opened his mouth,
And in ignorance, weighed out his words.'
Chapter 36
1 EliHu continued, saying:
2 'Be patient for a while and I'll teach you;
Because I still have [much] more to say.
3 'I was taught in a faraway land,
And I've learned to do as I say.
4 So I'll speak of truth and of righteous things,
And you'll find that I'm not telling lies.
5 'I know that Jehovah won't harm a good manÉ
One who's mighty and has strength of heart.
6 But, to the irreverent, He won't return life.
'He will give justice to those who are poor,
7 And He doesn't turn His eyes from the righteous.
For they'll sit as kings upon thronesÉ
They'll be raised and treated like winners!
8 'The crook who is led off in shackles,
In poverty's cords, will be wrapped.
9 Then He'll speak of all the bad things he's done,
And of his many transgressions.
10 'But [God] listens to what the righteous ones say,
And He warns them to turn from all badness.
11 So if they should listen and serve [Him],
They will live a very long time,
And spend many years having good things.
So, when they come to the end of their days,
Many beautiful things, they will own.
12 'But the godless will not be preserved;
For they fail to look to Jehovah.
And though they've been warned time and again,
They keep on refusing to listen.
13 'Although the hypocrite's heart will know rage,
He won't call out, for [God] has him bound.
14 So his life will end while he is still young,
Because angels will come and then pierce him through,
15 If he's mistreated the weak and disabledÉ
But they will be fair to the humble.
16 'When an enemy uses his mouth to deceive,
[God] opens a pit underneath it,
Where his table of good things is thrown.
17 'To the righteous, He'll always bring justice,
18 While on the impious, He sends His rage.
For in godless ways, they've taken bribes;
And in justice, they'll get all they deserve.
19 'So, don't be blind to the disabled's cries,
Or send away those who seek your aid in the night.
20 Rather, you should go out and help them,
So that others can see your example.
21 Be careful not to mistreat them,
Or take advantage of their lowly condition.
22 '{Look!} Though the strong use their strength to overpower;
Who are those who are feeling so mighty?
23 Who examines the things that they do,
And tells them when they are doing what's wrong?
24 'Don't forget that it is the great things we do,
That give us control over men.
25 And each man knows deep within him,
How many mortals he has stabbed through.
26 '{Look!} The Almighty is great, yet we don't really know Him;
For there is no end to His years.
27 He can count the number of rain drops,
Before they're even formed in the clouds.
28 Then they fall and flow past the things that grow oldÉ
Past the shadows of the uncounted dead.
'He's established a time for animal's lives,
And this order of things, they comprehend.
Yet you haven't bothered to think about this,
And your heart doesn't know your own body.
29 But remember, as you watch the clouds passing by,
That this will also happen to the tent that is you.
30 '{Look!} He has stretched the light out above us,
And the roots of the seas, He's covered.
31 Then between them, He judges the people,
And He nourishes those who've remained strong.
32 'He can cover the light with His hands,
And tell the clouds what to do.
33 Yet, we can trust that He'll speak to His friends,
And provide them a haven from evil.
Chapter 37
1 'So, this is what has bothered my heartÉ
The things that have made my heart drop.
2 Pay attention to my report on God's rage,
For what I've said has come from His mouth!
3 'He's the sovereign of all under heaven,
And His light shines to the wings of the earth.
4 'Though voices may yell out against Him,
He thunders at the sound of their insults.
For He must bargain with no oneÉ
With none who may hear His voice.
5 'When the Almighty speaks, it's like thunder,
Which tells of the great things He's done.
6 He orders the snow in the winter,
And instructs it to cover the groundÉ
And the rain also follows His orders
7 'He's the One who shackles men's hands,
To make them aware of their weakness.
8 'Wild beasts live in His protection,
So, in their lairs, they are tranquil,
9 While in your bedrooms comes grief,
And from far away, comes a chill.
10 'From the Almighty's Breath comes the ice,
And water is steered where He chooses.
11 If He covers a cloud, it passes away,
Followed by light in its order.
12 'Cyclones are turned aside by His rules
(The ways by which they must work),
13 Sparing the land on which He shows mercyÉ
He's the One who orders such things for the earth.
14 'So, O Job, pay attention!
You should stand in awe of God's power!
15 For we know that it all comes from the God,
Who created light from the darkness.
16 'He know the difference between every cloud,
As well as the great ways the wicked will fall.
17 'Now your clothes are all hot and sticky;
Yet, from the south, blows peace for this land.
18 'Can you join Him as He spreads out the skies,
And turns them into bronze mirrors?
19 'So now, teach me what I should tell Him,
And let's bring an end to this banter!
20 Is there a scribe with a scroll here beside me,
Whom I must now satisfy?
21 'Why, the light is shining so plainly,
Illuminating all that is old.
It's as though He has parted the clouds,
22 And made them glow like gold in the north.
Their honor and glory reflect the Almighty;
23 For in no one else may such great strength be found.
'Since He's the One who brings honest judgments;
Don't you think that He's listened to you?
24 So we all have good reasons to fear HimÉ
Even those who think their hearts wise.
Chapter 38
1 Then, after EliHu finished his speech, Jehovah spoke to Job from the clouds during a storm, saying:
2 'Who is it that's hiding counsel from Me,
And thinks he can cover the things in his heart?
3 Now, wrap up your loins and act like a man,
For I'll ask the questions and you answer Me!
4 'Where were you when I laid the foundations of earth?
Tell me, if you know, and if you understand!
5 Who planned and laid out its measuresÉ do you know?
And who laid the string down upon it?
6 Upon what have its hooks been supported,
And who set its foundation slabs?
7 'When I did this, all the stars praised Me,
And My angels shouted a cheer.
8 Then I locked the seas in their gates,
When they first burst forth from the womb.
9 'I established the clouds as its clothes,
And fog for its wrap, as a child.
10 Then I established its limits,
And I bolted the gates into place.
11 I said, This is as far as you'll goÉ
You may not go any farther,
So your waves must now break within you.
12 'Did I use you to bring morning light,
Or to set the morning star in its place?
13 [Can you] grab the wings of the earth,
And shake off all the ungodly?
14 'Have you picked up a piece of clay from the ground,
And used it to make something alive?
And who brought the powers of speech to the earth?
15 'Have you removed the light from the godless,
Or broken the arms of the proud?
16 Have you come to the springs of the seas,
And walked in the tracks of the deep?
17 'Do the gates of death open before you,
And do the keepers of the place of the dead
Get alarmed whenever they see you?
18 'If you've been told about all under heaven;
Then, tell Me how great it all is!
19 Where is the land from which the light comes,
And from what kind of place comes the darkness?
20 'If you could lead Me up to their limits
(That is, even if you even knew of their paths),
21 Then, you would already know of these things.
And since that would have been the day you were born,
Your years by now would be many.
22 'Have you found the treasuries of the snow?
Have you seen where the hail is all stored?
23 For you, has the hour of enemies been reserved,
Or the days for battle and war?
24 'When the frost leaves, where does it go?
And where under the skies goes the south wind?
25 Who prepares the storms when they blow,
26 And who holds back rain from the ground?
27 'Who made the deserts where no men can live,
But then fills unwalked and uninhabited lands,
With sprouts and new shoots of green?
28 'Who is the father of rain,
And who gives birth to the dewdrops?
29 In whose womb does the ice start to form,
And who gives birth to frost from the skies,
30 Then turns it into drops to make streams?
'Who is it that changes the face of the godless,
And who creates their alarm?
31 'Have you seen what bonds the Pleiades?
Have you opened the barriers of Orion?
32 Have you opened MazurOth when it can be seen,
Or have you led Hesperus by its tail?
33 'Do you know how the orbits of the heavens all work,
Or how things under heaven work together?
34 Can you call to a cloud and cause it to shake,
Then obey you and pour out a storm?
35 'Are you able to send for the lightning?
Will it ask, What is it, and obey you?
36 'Who gave women the wisdom to weave,
And who gave them the skill to embroider?
37 'Who in his wisdom can count all the cloudsÉ
Who can lean on both the sky and the ground?
38 'Who poured out the powder that created the earth,
And stuck it together as a stone block?
39 'Will you hunt for lions as prey,
And be filled with the souls of wild beasts?
40 Yet, they must be feared when they're in their lairs,
Or when they're lying in wait in the woods.
41 'Who gives carrion to the crows for their young,
As they call to Jehovah while searching for grain?'
Chapter 39
1 'Tell Me this, if you know:
When do rock antelopes give birth?
And have you seen the birthing of hinds?
2 Have you counted the months for them to give birth,
And do you know how long they have birth pangs?
3 'Do you know how their offspring are fearlessly fed,
And can you bring an end to their labor?
4 For their young rip out and many are born,
Then they just walk away to never return.
5 'Who is it that set zebras freeÉ
Who untied them from bondage?
6 I am the One who [gave him] his home,
There in the deserts and salt flatsÉ
I'm the One who made him a tent.
7 'But he laughs at the complaints of those living in towns,
And tax collectors, he always ignores.
8 He views the mountains as his pastures,
As he searches for green things to eat.
9 'Can you get the rhinoceros to serve you?
Can you make him sleep in your barn?
10 Can you tie him with straps and put on a yoke,
Then use him to plow up your fields?
11 'Can you trust him to do this because he's so strong,
And will he lighten the work that you do?
12 Can you trust him to carry your grain,
And haul it to threshing-floors for you?
13 'Consider the wings of the ostrichÉ
The feathers of whom storks use for their nests.
14 They lay their eggs on the ground,
And incubate them in the dust.
15 'If she forgets them, they then may be lost,
Or crushed by wild beasts in the fields.
16 So she's hardened herself against her own young,
And she isn't sad when her work is in vain.
17 'It was God who removed all her wisdom,
And gave her such scant understanding.
18 But, when she spreads her feathers to run,
She laughs at the horse and its rider.
19 'Was it you who gave the horse all its strength,
Or who caused his neck [to tremble] in fear?
20 Are you the one who gave him full armor,
And put the glory of daring within his breast?
21 'In the fields, he grazes and prances,
And with strength, he runs in the plains.
22 He laughs when he meets up with spears,
And from weapons of iron, he never retreats.
23 'When he's struck by arrows and swords,
24 He gets angry and tears up the ground.
He doesn't quit 'til the trumpet is blown,
25 And then he just says, Well done!
'He can even smell war from a distance,
Then he stands on his [back] legs and whinnies.
26 'Was it you who gave hawks their look of defiance,
As they set their wings to fly toward the south?
27 Was it by your order that eagles fly high,
Or vultures to lodge in nests 28 among rocks?
29 'From such places, [these birds] search for food,
For their eyes can see from a distance.
30 Then their young become covered in blood,
Because, they find all that has died.'
31 Then the Lord God said this to Job:
32 'Have you chosen to correct this One who's so ableÉ
And can the One who teaches God give an answer?'
33 Then Job replied to Jehovah:
34 'Well, why must I still go on begging,
And for what am I being correctedÉ
Why are the things that I've said being ignored?
'Since I can't reply [to Your questions],
I'll just cover my mouth with my handsÉ
35 I've spoken and I'll say no more.'
Chapter 40
1 Then the Lord God replied to Job, saying:
2 'Are you passing judgment on One who's so ableÉ
And when someone scolds God, must He reply?'
3 So Job thought about this and then he asked the Lord:
4 'Why must I stand here and begÉ
Being scolded and disciplined by Jehovah?
'No, I am nothing at all,
And yes, I have heard what You said;
So what answer can I give in reply?
'Now I'll cover my mouth with my hands,
5 For I've spoken and I'll say no more.'
6 Then the Lord once again spoke to Job from out of the clouds, saying:
7 'Now, wrap up your waist and act like a man,
Then I will ask you, and you must reply!
8 'Should you undo My decisions?
And do you think it was Me who sent these [bad] things,
Or that you'd have to prove yourself righteous to Me?
9 'Is your arm like the arm of Jehovah?
Is your voice like HisÉ can it thunder?
10 Then lift yourself in stature and might,
And clothe yourself with glory and honor;
11 Then send out [My] angels in rage,
To humble those who are proud,
12 And to bring an end to the haughtyÉ
Right now, cause the godless to rot!
13 Hide them together inside the ground,
And with dishonor, then cover their faces!
14 For, surely you know that your right hand can save!
15 'Now notice the dragon that's standing beside you;
He eats the same grass as the ox.
16 Yes behold the strength in his loins,
And the power in the navel of his belly.
17 'He makes his tail tall like a cypress,
And his nerves are all closely entwined.
18 His sides are like something that is made out of brass,
And his spine is much like cast iron.
19 'He's the beginning of the things [that I] shaped,
And he was made to be mocked by My angels.
20 'When he climbs upon chiseled mountains,
He brings great joy to those four-footed beasts
Who in Tartarus dwell.
21 'He sleeps under all kinds of treesÉ
By the papyrus, reeds, and bulrushes.
22 In his shadow, [rest] birds in the trees,
Who unknowingly sway in [his branches].
23 'When storms come, he doesn't notice;
For he trusts that it runs from the Jordan,
And from there, it flows into his mouth.
24 'When he is on watch, who can take him?
But if, in a snare, you could catch him,
Would you drill [a hole] through his nose?
Chapter 41
NOTE: It is our studied opinion that many of the following verses have been corrupted to some extent in both the Hebrew and Greek texts, since much of what follows is disjointed and unclear. We feel that part of the reason for this is due to the fact that those who sang this song, those who copied it, and those who translated it simply didn't understand its cryptic messageÉ that the 'beast' or 'dragon' being spoken of in these and the previous verses was the evil spirit who was bringing these woes upon Job.
1 'Can you lead this dragon by a hook;
Can you put a halter 'round his nose?
2 Will you put a hook though his nose as a clasp,
And bore a hole in his lip?
3 'Will he speak and beg you in an earnest, soft way?
4 Will he make an agreement with youÉ
Will you take him as your servant throughout the ages?
5 'Will you play with him like a birdÉ
Would you cage him like a sparrow for a child?
6 Wouldn't you rather serve him as food to the nationsÉ
For Phoenicians, carve his as [steaks]?
7 'If all that floats were assembled,
There's no way they could carry his hide or his tail,
Nor could fishermen's boats bear his head.
8 'Could you lay your hands out upon him,
Then contemplate the war in his flesh,
And let it no longer take place?
9 '[It is true] that you cannot see him.
But haven't you (the one speaking) ever wondered?
10 And aren't you in awe of this thing I've prepared?
'But, who can really stand and oppose MeÉ
11 Yes, who can resist Me and win,
Since all under heaven is Mine?
12 'So I won't remain silent for his sake;
For the word of My power to show mercy,
Is equal to anything that he'd say.
13 'Who will uncover the front of his clothes,
And enter the fold of his chest plate?
14 Who will open the gates of his face,
And see that in his teeth, there is fear?
15 'His insides are like shields of brass,
And his sinews are like emery stone.
16 Each of them cleave tightly together,
And through them, no wind [can be blown];
17 Just like a man and his brother,
They cleve and cannot be parted.
18 'His sneezing brings about brightness,
And his eyes are like morning stars.
19 From his mouth come lamps that are burning,
Like the scattered coals of a fire.
20 'From his nostrils come the smoke of a furnace,
Burning with the fire of live coals.
21 For his soul is much like live coals,
And flames shoot out of his mouth.
22 'In his neck there is power,
And before him, there is much destruction.
23 The flesh of his body cleaves tightly,
So he's never bothered by rain.
24 'His heart is fixed like a stoneÉ
He stands as an anvil that cannot be bent.
25 When he turns, he frightens the four-footed beasts,
And those that [fly over] the ground.
26 'With lances, he cannot be harmed,
Nor does he fear armor or spears.
27 He views iron weapons as straw,
And brass ones as though rotting wood.
28 'By bows of brass, he cannot be pierced,
And he views [stone] slingers as grass.
29 He thinks of hammers as stubble,
And he laughs at the quaking of those who bear fire.
30 'His bed is strewn with sharp needles;
And all the gold in the seas,
Under him, are as coals on the grates,
And like just so much mud.
31 'He breaks from the abyss as though a brass pot;
He thinks of the seas as his own ointment jar,
32 And the dephts of Tartarus as his captive.
For to him, the abyss is just a promenade.
33 'There's nothing on the earth that's quite like himÉ
He was made to be mocked by My angels.
34 'He can see all things that are lofty,
And he's king over all in the waters.'
Chapter 42
1 Then Job spoke to the Lord saying:
2 'I know that You can do all,
And there is no end to Your power.
3 So, who can hide their thoughts before You,
And who can hold back their words,
Thinking that You cannot [hear them]?
'You've just told me some things that I never knewÉ
Great and wonderful things,
Of which I had no understanding.
4 'So please listen to me, O my Lord,
For I have many things that I'd like to sayÉ
I'll ask, and then You can teach me!
5 'In the past, I've heard men talk about You,
But now I've seen You with my own eyes,
6 And I think of myself of having no value.
For before You, I've melted away,
And consider myself to be ashes and dirt.'
7 Well, after the Lord had spoken about all these things to Job, Jehovah then said this to EliPhaz the Temanite:
'You and your two friends have sinned;
For, you haven't spoken the truth,
As did My faithful friend Job.
8 So, take seven calves and seven rams,
And carry them to My faithful friend Job,
That he might offer them on your behalfÉ
For no way do I hold him blame.
'But for him, I would have destroyed you,
For the things that you've said to My faithful friend.'
9 So EliPhaz the Temanite, Baldad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Minaean went and did as Jehovah had told them. Then He forgave the sins that they had committed against Job.
10 Thereafter, Jehovah blest Job. And because they were his friends, he vowed to forgive those men for all their sins.
Then Jehovah [blest Job] with double, giving him twice as much as he had before. 11 And when his brothers and sisters heard of the good things that had happened to him, they all went to see him, and he ended up with twice as many friends as he had at first. Everyone ate and drank with him, and they offered him much consolation. Yet they each wondered about all the things that had happened, and about all the things that Jehovah had done. Then each one gave him a lamb and an unmarked four-drachma coin.
12 So Jehovah blest the ending for Job, and he gained much more than he had before. For He came to have ten thousand cows, four thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand oxen teams, and a thousand grazing mares. 13 Seven more sons were also born to him, and he had three more daughters. 14 He named the first one Day, he called the second one Casia, and he named the third one Horn of Plenty. 15 And among all the women under the sky, none were prettier than the daughters of Job. He also gave them an inheritance among their brothers.
16 Well, after his calamity had passed, Job lived on for a hundred and seventy more years, reaching the age of two hundred and forty. Job lived to see his sons and the sons of his sons through the fourth generation. 17 Thereafter, Job finally came to his end, an old man who'd lived a full life.