JOB 1-42 | Finding STRENGTH in Tough Times

in the land of us there lived a man whose name was job this man was blameless and upright he feared God and shunned evil he had seven sons and three daughters and he owned 7,000 sheep 3,000 camels 500 yoke of oxen and 500 donkeys and had a large number of servants he was the greatest man among all the people of the East his sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them when a period of feasting had run its course job

would make arrangements for them to be purified early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them thinking perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts this was job regular custom one day the Angels Came to present themselves before the Lord and Satan also came with them the Lord said to Satan where have you come from Satan answered the Lord from roaming throughout the earth going to and fro on it then the Lord said to Satan have you considered my servant job there is no one on earth like

him he is blameless and upright a man who fears God and shuns evil does job fear God for nothing Satan replied have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has you have blessed the work of his hands so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land but now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has and he will surely curse you to your face the Lord said to Satan but very well then everything he has is in your power but on the man himself do not lay

a finger then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord one day when job's Sons and Daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the eldest brother's house a messenger came to job and said The Oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby and the sabians attacked and made off with them they put the servants to the sword and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you while he was still speaking another messenger came and said the fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants

and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you while he was still speaking another messenger came and said the caldan formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them they put the servants to the sword and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you while he was still speaking yet another messenger came and said your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the eldest brother's house when suddenly A Mighty Wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the

house it collapsed on them and they are dead and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you at this job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head then he fell to the ground in worship and said naked I came from my mother's womb and naked I shall depart the lord gave and the Lord has taken away May the name of the Lord be praised in all this job did not sin by charging god with wrongdoing Job chapter 2 on another day the Angels Came to present themselves before the Lord

and Satan also came with them to present himself before him and the Lord said to Satan where have you come from Satan answered the Lord from roaming throughout the earth going to and fro on it then the Lord said to Satan have you considered my servant job there is no one on earth like him he is blameless and upright a man who fears God and shall joh zil and he still maintains his Integrity though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason skin for skin Satan replied a man will give all he

has for his own life but now stretch out your hand and strike his Flesh and Bones and he will surely curse you to your face the Lord said to Satan very well then he is in your hands but you must spare his life so Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and Afflicted job with painful SARS from The Souls of his feet to the crown of his head then job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes his wife said to him are you still

maintaining your integrity Curse God and die he replied you are talking like a foolish woman shall we accept good from God and not trouble in all this job did not sin in what he said when job's three friends elifas the Tonite bildad the shuhite and zofar the naamathite heard about all the troubles that had come upon him they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him when they saw him from a distance they could hardly recognize him they began to weep allow and they tore

their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights no one said a word to him because they saw how great his suffering was Job chapter 3 after this job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth he said May the day of my birth perish and the night that said a boy is conceived that Day May it turn to Darkness may God above not care about it may no light shine on it may Gloom and utter Darkness claim it once more

may a cloud settle over it may Blackness overwhelm it that night May thick Darkness seize it may it not be included among the days of the year nor be entered in any of the months May that night be Barren May no shout of Joy be heard in it May those who curse days curse that day those who are ready to Rouse Leviathan May its morning stars become dark may it wait for daylight in vain and not see the first rays of dawn for it did not shut the doors of the womb on me to hide

trouble from my eyes why did I not perish at Birth and die as I came from the womb why were there knees to receive me and breasts that I might be nursed for now I would be lying down in peace I would be asleep and at rest with Kings and rulers of the earth who built for themselves places now lying in Ruins with princes who had gold who filled their houses with silver or why was I not hidden away in the ground like a stillborn child like an infant who never saw the light of day

there the wicked cease from turmoil and there the weary are at rest captives also enjoy their ease they no longer hear the slave drivers shout the small and the great are there and the slaves are freed from their owners why is light given to those in misery and life to the bitter of soul to those who long for death that does not come who search for it more than for Hidden Treasure who are filled with gladness and rejoice when they reach the grave why is life given to a man whose way is hidden whom God

has hedged in for sighing has become my daily food my groans pour out like water what I feared has come upon me what I dreaded has happened to me I have no peace no quietness I have no rest but only turmoil Job chapter 4 then elifas the Tonite replied if someone Ventures a word with you will you be impatient but who can keep from speaking think how you have instructed many how you have strengthened feeble hands your words have supported those who stumbled you have strengthened faltering knees but now trouble comes to you and you

you are discouraged it strikes you and you are dismayed should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope consider now who being innocent has ever perished where were the upright ever destroyed as I have observed those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it at the Breath of God they perish at the blast of his anger they are no more the Lions May Roar and growl yet the teeth of the great lions are broken the lion perishes for lack of prey and the Cubs of the Lioness are scattered a

word was secretly brought to me my ears caught a whisper of it amid disquieting dreams in the night when deep sleep falls on people fear and trembling seized me and made all my bones shake a spirit glided past my face and the hair on my body stood on end it stopped but I could not tell what it was a form stood before my eyes and I Heard a hushed Voice can a mortal be more righteous than God can even a strong man be more pure than his maker if God places no trust in his servants

if he charges his angels with error how much more those who live in houses of clay whose foundations are in the dust who are crushed more readily than a moth between Dawn and dusk they are broken to Pieces unnoticed they perish forever are not the cords of their tent pulled up so that they die without wisdom Job chapter 5 call if you will but who will answer you to which of the Holy ones will you turn resentment kills a fool and envy slays the simple I myself have seen a fool taking root but suddenly his

house was cursed his children are far from safety crushed in court without a Defender the hungry consume his Harvest taking it even from among thorns and the Thirsty pant after his wealth for hardship does not spring from the soil nor does trouble Sprout from the ground yet man is born to trouble as surely as Sparks Fly upwards but if I were you I would appeal to God I would lay my cause before him he performs Wonders that cannot be fathomed Miracles that cannot be counted he provides rain for the Earth he sends water on the

countryside the lowly he sets on high and those who mourn are lifted to safety he thwarts the plans of the crafty so that their hands achieve no success he catches the wise in their craftiness and the schemes of the Wy are Swept Away darkness comes upon them in the daytime at noon they grope as in the night he saves the needy from The Sword in their mouth he saves them from the clutches of the powerful so the poor have hope and Injustice shuts its mouth blessed is the one whom God corrects so do not despise

the discipline of the almighty for he wounds but he also binds up he injures but his hands also heal from six calamities he will rescue you in heav no harm will touch you in famine he will deliver you from death and in battle from The Stroke Of The Sword you will be protected from the Lash of the tongue and need not fear when destruction comes you will laugh at destruction and famine and need not fear the wild animals for you will have a covenant with the stones of the field and the wild animals will be

at peace with you you will know that your tent is secure you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing you will know that your children will be many and your descendants like the grass of the earth you will come to the grave in full Vigor like sheaves gathered in season we have examined this and it is true so hear it and apply it to yourself Job chapter 6 then job replied if a only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales it would surely outweigh the sand

of the Seas no wonder my words have been impetuous the arrows of the almighty are in me my spirit drinks in their poison God's Terrors are Marshal against me does a wild donkey Bray when it has grass or an ox Bellow when it has fod is tasteless food eaten without salt or is there flavor in the sap of the mow I refuse to touch it such food makes me ill oh that I might have my request that God would Grant what I hope for that God will be willing to crush me to let loose his

hand and cut off my life then I would still have this consolation my joy in unrelenting pain that I had not denied the words of the Holy One what strength do I have that I should still hope what prospects that I should be patient do I have the strength of stone is my flesh bronze do I have any power to help myself now that success has been driven from me anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the almighty but my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams as the streams that overflow

when darkened by thoring ice and swollen with melting snow but that stop flowing in the dry season and in the heat vanish from their channels Caravans turn aside from their Roots they go off into the Wasteland and perish the Caravans of tea look for water the traveling merchants of Sheba look in hope they are distressed because they had been confident they arrive there only to be disappointed now you too have proved to be of no help you see something Dreadful and are afraid have I ever said give something on my behalf pay a ransom for

me from your wealth deliver me from the hand of the enemy rescue me from the clutches of the ruthless teach me and I will be quiet show me where I have been wrong how painful are honest words words but what do your arguments prove do you mean to correct what I say and treat my desperate words as wind you would even cast lots for the fatherless and barter away your friend but now be so kind as to look at me would I lie to your face relent do not be unjust reconsider for my Integrity is

at stake is there any wickedness on my lips can my mouth not discern malice Job chapter 7 do not Mortals have hard service on Earth are not their days like those of hired laborers like a slave longing for the evening Shadows or a hired laborer waiting to be paid so I have been allotted months of futility and nights of misery have been assigned to me when I lie down I think how long before I get up the night drags on and I toss and turn until dawn my body is clothed with worms and scabs my

skin is broken and festering my days are swifter than a Weaver's shuttle and they come to an end without hope remember oh God that my life is but a breath my eyes will never see happiness again the eye that now sees me will see me no longer you will look for me but I will be no more as a cloud vanishes and is gone so one who goes down to the Grave does not return he will never come to his house again his place will know him no more therefore I will not keep silent I

will speak out in the anguish of my spirit I will complain in the bitterness of my soul am I the sea or the monster of the deep that you put me under guard when I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will eat my complaint even then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions so that I prefer strangling and death rather than this body of mine I despise my life I would not live forever let me alone my days have no meaning what is mankind that you make so much of

them that you give them so much attention that you examine them every morning and test them every moment will you never look away from me or let me alone even for an instant if I have sinned what have I done to you you who see everything we do why have you made me your Target have I become a burden to you why do you not pardon my offenses and forgive my sins for I shall soon lie down in the dust you will search for me but I shall be no more Job chapter 8 then bildad

the Sho height replied how long will you say such things your words are a blustering wind does God pervert Justice does the almighty pervert what is right when your children sinned against him he gave them over to the penalty of their sin but if you will seek God earnestly and plead with the almighty if you are pure and upright even now he will Rouse himself on your behalf and restore you to your prosperous State your Beginnings will seem humble so prosperous will your future be ask the former generations and find out what their ancestors learned

for we were born only yesterday and know nothing and our days on Earth are but a shadow will they not instruct you and tell you will they not bring forth words from their understanding can Papyrus grow tall where there is no Marsh can Reeds Thrive without water while still growing and uncut they wither more quickly than grass such Is the destiny of all who forget God so perishes the hope of the Godless what they trust in is fragile what they rely on is a spider's web they lean on the web but it gives way they

cling to it but it does not hold they are like a well-watered plant in the sunshine spreading Its choots Over the Garden it entwines its roots round a pile of rocks and looks for a place among the stones but when it is torn from its spot that place disowns it and says I never saw you surely its life Withers away and from the soil other plants grow surely God does not reject one who is blameless or strengthen the hands of evil doers he will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of

joy your enemies will be clothed in shame and the tense of the wicked will be no more Job chapter 9 then job replied indeed I know that this is true but how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God though they wished to dispute with him they could not answer him once in a thousand times his wisdom is profound his power is vast who has resisted him and come out unscared bathed he moves mountains without their knowing it and overturns them in his anger he shakes the Earth from its place and makes its pillars tremble

he speaks to the sun and it does not shine he seals off the light of the Stars he alone stretches out the heavens and Treads on the waves of the sea he is the maker of the bear and Orion the pades and the constellations of the South he performs Wonders that cannot be fathomed Miracles that cannot be counted when he passes me I cannot see him when he goes by I cannot perceive him if he snatches away who can stop him who can say to him what are you doing God does not restrain his anger

even the cohorts of Rahab cowed At His Feet how then can I dispute with him how can I find words to argue with him though I were innocent I could not answer him I could only plead with my judge for Mercy even if I summoned him and he responded I do not believe he would give me a hearing he would crush me with a storm and multiply my wounds for no reason he would not let me catch my breath but would overwhelm me with misery if it is a matter of strength he is mighty and

if it is a matter of Justice who can challenge him even if I were innocent my mouth would condemn me if I were blameless it would pronounce me guilty although I am blameless I have no concern for myself I despise my own life it is all the same that is why I say he destroys both the blameless and the wicked when a Scourge brings sudden death he mocks the despair of the innocent when a land falls into the hands of the wicked he blindfolds its judges if it is not he then who is it my

days are swifter than a runner they fly away without a glimpse of Joy they skim past like boats of Papyrus like eagles swooping down on their prey if I say I will forget my complaint I will change my expression and smile I still dread all my sufferings for I know you will not hold me innocent since I'm already found guilty why should I struggle in vain even if I washed myself with soap and my hands with cleansing powder you would plunge me into a Slime Pit so that even my clothes would detest me he is

not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him that we might confront each other in court if only there was someone to mediate between us someone to bring us together someone to remove God's rod from me so that his Terror would frighten me no more then I would speak up without fear of him but as it now stands with me I cannot Job chapter 10 I loathe my very life therefore I will give free reign to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul I say to God do not declare

me guilty but tell me what charges you have against me does it please you to oppress me to spurn the work of your hands while you smile on the plans of the wicked do you have eyes of Flesh do you see as a mortal sees are your days like those of a mortal or your years like those of a strong man that you must search out my faults and probe after my sin though you know that I am not guilty and that no one can rescue me from your hand your hands shaped me and made

me will you now turn and destroy me remember that you molded me like clay will you now turn me to dust again did you not pour me out like milk and curdle me like cheese clothe me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and Senus you gave me life and showed me kindness and in your Providence watched over my spirit but this is what you concealed in your heart and I know that this was in your mind if I sinned you would be watching me and would not let my offense go unpunished

if I am guilty woe to me even if I am innocent I cannot lift up my head but I am full of Shame and drown found in my Affliction if I hold my head high you stalk me like a lion and again display your awesome power against me you bring new Witnesses against me and increase your anger towards me your forces come against me wave upon wave why then did you bring me out of the womb I wish I had died before any eye saw me if only I had never come into being or been

carried straight from the womb to the Grave one of my few days almost over turn away from me so that I can have a moment's Joy before I go to the place of No Return to the land of gloom and utter Darkness to the land of deepest night of utter darkness and disorder where even the light is like Darkness Job chapter 11 then zofar the nthite replied are all these words to go unanswered is this talker to be Vindicated will your idle talk reduce others to silence will no one rebuke you when you mock you

say to God my beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight oh how I wish the God would speak that he would open his lips against you and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom for True wisdom has two sides know this God has even forgotten some of your sin can you fathom the mysteries of God can you probe the limits of the almighty they are higher than the heavens above what can you do they are deeper than the depths below what can you know their measure is longer than the earth and wider

than the sea if he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court who can oppose him surely he recognizes deceivers and when he sees evil does he not take note but the witless can no more become wise than a wild donkey's cult can be born human yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent then free of fault you will lift up your face you will stand firm

and with without fear you will surely forget your trouble recalling it only as Waters gone by life will be brighter than Noonday and darkness will become like morning you will be secure because there is hope you will look about you and take your rest in safety you will lie down with no one to make you afraid and many will Court your favor but the eyes of the wicked will fail and Escape will elude them their hope will become a dying gasp job 12 then job replied doubtless you are the only people who matter and wisdom

will die with you but I have a mind as well as you I'm not inferior to you who does not know all these things I have become a laughing stock to my friends though I called on God and he answered a mere laughing stock though righteous and blameless those who are at ease have contempt for Misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping the tents of marauders are undisturbed and those who provoke God are secure Those whom God has in his hand but ask the animals and they will teach you or the birds

in the sky and they will tell you or speak to the Earth and it will teach you or let the fish in the sea inform you which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this in his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food is not wisdom found among the Aged does not long life bring understanding to God belong wisdom and power counsel and understanding are his what he tears down cannot be rebuilt

those he imprisons cannot be released if he holds back the waters there is drought if he lets them loose they devastate the land to him belongs strength and insight both deceived and deceiver are his he leads rulers away stripped and makes fools of Judges he takes off the shackles put on by Kings and ties a loin cloth around their waist he leads priests away stripped and overthrows officials long established he silences the lips of trusted advisers and takes away the discernment of Elders he pours contempt on Nobles and disarms the mighty he reveals the Deep

things of darkness and brings utter Darkness into the light he makes Nations great and destroys them he enlarges Nations and disperses them he deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason he makes them wander in a Reckless waste they grope in darkness with no light he makes them stagger like drunkards Job chapter 13 my eyes have seen all this my ears have heard and understood it what you know I also know I'm not inferior to you but I desire to speak to the almighty and to argue my case with God you however SM M

me with lies you are worthless Physicians all of you if only you would be altogether silent for you that would be wisdom hear now my argument listen to the pleas of my lips will you speak wickedly on God's behalf will you speak deceitfully for him will you show him partiality will you argue the case for God would it turn out well if he examined you you could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal he would surely call you to account if you secretly showed partiality would not his Splendor terrify you would not the

dread of him fall on you your maxims are Proverbs of Ashes your defenses are defenses of clay keep silent and let me speak then let come to me what may why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands though he slay me yet will I hope in him I will surely defend my ways to his face indeed this will turn out for my Deliverance for no Godless person would dare come before him listen carefully to what I say Let My Words ring in your ears now that I have prepared my

case I know I will be Vindicated can anyone bring charges against me if so I will be silent and die only grant me these two things God and then I will not hide from you withdraw your hand far from me and stop frightening me with your Terrors then summon me and I will answer or let me speak and you reply to me how many wrongs and sins have I committed show me my offense and my sin why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy me will you torment a wind blown Leaf will

you chase after dry chaff for you write down bitter things against me and make me reap the sins of my youth you fasten my feet in shackles you keep close watch on all my paths by putting marks on the soles of my feet so man wastes away like something rotten like a garment eaten by moths Job chapter 14 Mortals born of woman are a few days and full of trouble they spring up like flowers and wither away like fleeting Shadows they do not endure do you fix your eye on them will you bring them before

you for judgment who can bring what is pure from the impure no one a person's days are determined you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed so look away from him and let him alone till he has put in his time like a hired laborer at least there is hope for a tree if it is cut down it will Sprout again and its new shoots will not fail its roots May grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil yet at the scent of water it

will bud and put forth shoots like a plant but a man dies and is laid low he breathes his last and is no more as the water of a lake dries up or a riverbed becomes parched and dry so he lies down and does not rise till the heavens are no more people will not awake or be roused from their sleep if only you would hide me in the grave and conceal me till your anger has passed if only you would set me a time and then remember me if someone dies will they live again

all the days of my heart's service I will wait for my renewal to come you will call and I will answer you you will long for the creature your hands have made surely then you will count my steps but not keep track of my sin my offenses will be sealed up in a bag you will cover over my sin but as a mountain erods and crumbles and as a rock is moved from its place as water wears away stones and torrant wash away the soil so you destroy a person's hope you overpower them once for

all and they are gone you change their countenance and send them away if their children are honored they do not know it if their children are brought low they do not see it they feel but the pain of their own bodies and mourn only for themselves Job chapter 15 then elifaz the Tonite replied would a wise person answer with empty Notions or fill their belly with the hot East Wind would they argue with useless words with speeches that have no value but you even undermine piety and hinder Devotion to God your sin prompts your mouth

you adopt the tongue of the crafty your own mouth condemns you not mine your own lips testify against you are you the first man ever born were you brought forth before the hills do you listen in on God's counsel do you have a monopoly on wisdom what do you know that we do not know what insights do you have that we do not have the grayhair and the Aged are on our side men even older than your father are God's consolations not enough for you words spoken gently to you why has your heart carried you

away and why do your eyes flash so that you vent your rage against God and pour out such words from your mouth what are Mortals that they could be Pure or those born of woman that they could be righteous if God places no trust in his holy ones if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes how much less Mortals who are vile and corrupt who drink up evil like water listen to me and I will explain to you let me tell you what I have seen what the wise have declared hiding nothing received

from their ancestors to whom alone the land was given when no foreigners moved among them all his days the wicked man suffers torment the ruthless man through all the years stored up for him terrifying sounds fill his ears when all seems well Marauders attack him he despairs of Escaping The Realm of Darkness he is marked for the sword he wanders about for food like a vulture he knows the day of darkness is at hand distress and anguish fill him with Terror troubles overwhelm him like a king poised to attack because he shakes his fist at

God and vaunts himself against the almighty defiantly charging against him with a thick thick strong Shield though his face is covered with fat and his waist bulges with flesh he will inhabit ruined towns and houses where no one lives houses crumbling to Rubble he will no longer be rich and his wealth will not endure nor will his possessions spread over the land he will not escape the darkness a flame will wither his shoots and the breath of God's mouth will carry him away let him not deceive himself by trusting what is worthless for he will

get nothing in return before his time he will wither and his branches will not flourish he will be like a Vine stripped of its unripe grapes like an olive tree shedding its blossoms for the company of the Godless will be Barren and fire will consume the tents of those who love bribes they conceive trouble and give birth to evil their wound Fashion's deceit Job chapter 16 then job replied I have heard many things like these your miserable comforters all of you will your long-winded speeches Never End what ails you that you keep on arguing I

also could speak like you if you were in my place I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you but but my mouth would encourage you comfort from my lips would bring you relief yet if I speak my pain is not relieved and if I refrain it does not go away surely God you have worn me out you have devastated my entire household you have shriveled me up and it has become a witness my gauntness Rises up and testifies against me God assails me and tears me in his anger and nashes

his teeth at me my opponent fastens on me his piercing eyes people open their mouths to Jer at me they strike my cheek in scorn and unite together against me God has turned me over to the ungodly and thrown me into the clutches of the wicked all was well with me but he shattered me he seized me by the neck and crushed me he has made me his Target his archers Surround Me Without Pity he pierces my kidneys and Spills my gall on the ground again and again he bursts upon me he rushes at me

like a warrior I have sewed sackcloth over my skin and buried my brow in the dust my face is red with weeping Dark Shadows ring my eyes yet my hands have been free of violence and my prayer is pure Earth do not cover my blood May My Cry never be laid to rest even now my witness is in heaven my Advocate is on high my intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God on behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend only a few years will

pass pass before I take the path of no return Job chapter 17 my spirit is broken my days are cut short the grave awaits me surely mockers surround me my eyes must dwell on their hostility give me oh God the pledge you demand who else will put up security for me you have closed their minds to understanding therefore you will not let them Triumph if anyone denounces their friends for reward the eyes of their children will fail God has made me a by word to everyone a man in whose face people spit my eyes have

grown dim with grief my whole frame is but a shadow the upright are appalled at this the innocent are aroused against the ungodly nevertheless the righteous will hold to their ways and those with Clean Hands will grow stronger but come on all of you try again I will not find a wise man among you my days have passed my plans are shattered yet the desires of my heart turn night into day in the face of the darkness light is near if the only home I hope for is the grave if I spread out my bed

in the realm of dark Darkness if I say to corruption you are my father and to the worm my mother or my sister where then is my hope who can see any hope for me will it go down to the gates of death will we descend together into the dust job 18 then bildad the Sho height replied when will you end these speeches be sensible and then we can talk why are we regarded as cattle and considered stupid in your sight you who tear yourself to pieces in your anger is the Earth to be abandoned

for your sake or must the Rocks be moved from their place the lamp of a wicked man is snuffed out the flame of his fire stops burning the light in his tent becomes dark the lamp beside him goes out the Vigor of his step is weakened his own schemes throw him down his feet thrust him into a net he wanders into its mesh a trap seizes him by the heel a snare holds him fast a noose is hidden for him on the ground a trap lies in his path Terrors startle him on every side and

dog his every step Calamity is hungry for him disaster is ready for him when he falls it eats away parts of his skin death's firstborn devours his limbs he is torn from the security of his tent and March off to the king of Terrors fire resides in his tent burning sulfur is scattered over his dwelling his roots dry up below and his branches wither above the memory of him perishes from the earth he has no name in the land he is driven from light into the Realm of Darkness and is banished from the world he

has no Offspring or descendants among his people no Survivor where once he lived people of the West are appalled at his fate those of the East are seized with horror surely such is the dwelling of an evil man such is the place of one who does not know God Job chapter 19 then job replied how long will you torment me and crush me with words 10 times now you have reproached me shamelessly you attack me if it is true that I have gone astray my error remains my concern alone if indeed you would exalt yourselves

above me and use my humiliation against me then know that God has wronged me and drawn his net around me though I cry violence I get no response though I call for help there is no justice He has blocked my way so that I cannot pass he has shrouded my paths in darkness he has stripped me of my honor and removed the crown from my head he tears me down on every side till I am gone he uproots My Hope like a tree his anger Burns against me he counts me among his enemies his troops

advance in force they build a Siege ramp against me and encamp around my tent he has alienated my family from me my acquaintances are completely estranged from me my relatives have gone away my closest friends friends have forgotten me my guests and my female servants count me a foreigner they look upon me as a stranger I summon my servant but he does not answer though I beg him with my own mouth my breath is offensive to my wife I'm loathsome to my own family even the little boys scorn me when I appear they ridicule me

all my intimate friends detest me those I love have turned against me I am nothing but Skin and Bones I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth have pity on me my friends have pity for the hand of God has struck me why do you pursue me as God does will you never get enough of My Flesh oh that my words were recorded that they were written on a scroll that they were inscribed with an iron tool on lead or engraved in Rock forever I know that my redeemer lives and that in the

end he will stand on the earth and after my skin has been destroyed yet in my flesh I will see God I myself will see him with my own eyes I and not another how my heart yearns within me if you say how we will Hound him since the root of the trouble lies in him you should Fear the Sword yourself souls for WTH will bring punishment By The Sword and then you will know that there is Judgment Job chapter 20 then zofa the nthite replied my troubled thoughts prompt me to answer because I'm am

greatly Disturbed I hear a rebuke that dishonors me and my understanding inspires me to reply surely you know how it has been from old ever since man kind was placed on the earth that the mirth of the wicked is brief the joy of the Godless lasts but a moment though the pride of the Godless person reaches to the heavens and his head touches the clouds he will perish forever like his own dung those who have seen him will say where is he like a dream he flies away no more to be found banished like a

vision of the night the eye that saw him will not see him again his place will look on him no more more his children must make amends to the poor his own hands must give back his wealth the youthful vigor that fills his bones will lie with him in the dust though evil is sweet in his mouth and he hides it under his tongue though he cannot bear to let it go and lets it linger in his mouth yet his food will turn sour in his stomach it will become the Venom of serpents within him

he will spit out the riches he swallowed God will make his stomach vomit them up he will suck the poison of serpents the fangs of an Adder will kill him he will not enjoy the streams the rivers flowing with honey and cream what he toiled for he must give back uneaten he will not enjoy the profit from his trading for he has oppressed the poor and left them destitute he has seized houses he did not build surely he will have no respite from his craving he cannot save himself by his treasure nothing is left for

him to devour his Prosperity will not endure in the midst of his plenty distress will overtake him the full force of misery will come upon him when he has filled his belly God will vent his Burning Anger against him and rain down his blows on him though he flees from an iron weapon a bronze tipped Arrow pierces him he pulls it out of his back the gleaming point out of his liver Terrors will come over him total darkness lies in wait for his treasures a fire unfounded will consume him and devour what is left in

his tent the heavens will expose his guilt the Earth will rise up against him a flood will carry off his house rushing waters on the day of God's wroth such as the fade God all Lots the Wicked the Heritage appointed for them by God job chap 2 1 then job replied listen carefully to my words let this be the consolation you give me bear with me while I speak and after I have spoken mock [Music] on is my complaint directed to a human being why should I not be impatient look at me and be appalled

clap your hand over your mouth when I think about this I'm terrified trembling seizes my body why do the wicked live on Growing Old and increasing in power they see their children established around them their offspring Before Their Eyes their homes are safe and Free From Fear the rod of God is Not on them their bulls never fail to breed their cows carve and do not miscarry they send forth their children as a flock their little ones dance about they sing to the music of tambourine and liar they make Merry to the sound of the

pipe they spend their years in prosperity and go down to the grave in peace yet they say to God leave us alone we have no desire to know your ways who is the almighty that we should serve him what would we gain by praying to him but their prosperity is not in their own hands so I stand aloof from the plans of the wicked yet how often is the lamp of the wicked snuffed out how often does calamity come upon them the Fate God a lots in his anger how often are they like straw before

the wind like chaff Swept Away by a gale it is said God stores up the punishment of the wicked for their children let him repay the wicked so that they themselves will experience it let their own eyes see their destruction let them drink the cup of the WTH of the almighty for what do they care about the families they leave behind when their allotted months come to an end can anyone teach knowledge to God since he judges even the highest one person dies in full Vigor completely secure and at ease well-nourished in body bones rich

with marrow another dies in bitterness of soul never having enjoyed anything good side by side they lie in the dust and worms cover them both I know full well what you're thinking the schemes by which you would wrong me you say where now is the house of the great the tents where the wicked lived have you never questioned those who travel have you paid no regard to their accounts that the wicked are spared from the day of Calamity that they are delivered from the the day of wroth who denounces their conduct to their face who

repays them for what they have done they are carried to the grave and watch is kept over their tombs the soil in the valley is sweet to them everyone follows after them and a countless throng goes before them so how can you console me with your nonsense nothing is left of your answers but falsehood Job chapter 22 then elifas the Tonite replied can a man be of benefit to God can even a wise person benefit him what pleasure would it give the almighty if you were righteous what would he gain if your ways were blameless

is it for your piety that he rebukes you and brings charges against you is not your wickedness great are not your sins endless you demanded security from your relatives for no reason you stripped people of their clothing leaving them naked you gave no water to the weary and you withheld food from the hungry though you were a powerful man owning land an honored man living on it and you sent widows away empty-handed and broke the strength of the fatherless that is why snares are all around you why sudden Peril terrifies you why it is so

dark that you cannot see and why a blood of water covers you is not God in the heights of heaven and see how lofty are the highest Stars yet you say what does God know does he judge through such Darkness thick clouds Veil him so he does not see us as he goes about in the vaulted Heavens will you keep the old path the wicked have trod they were carried off before their time their foundations washed away by a flood they said said to God leave us alone what can the almighty do to us yet

it was he who filled their houses with good things so I stand aloof from the plans of the wicked the righteous see their ruin and rejoice the innocent mock them saying surely our foes are destroyed and fire devours their wealth submit to God and be at peace with him in this way Prosperity will come to you accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart if you return to the almighty you will be restored if you remove wickedness far from your tent and assign your nuggets to the dust your gold of

ofia to the rocks in The Ravines then the almighty will be your gold the choicest silver for you surely then you will find Delight in the almighty and will lift up your face to God you will pray to him and he will hear you and you will fulfill your vows what you decide on will be done and light will shine on your ways when people are brought low and you say Lift them up then he will save the downcast he will deliver even one who is Not Innocent who will be delivered through the cleanness of

your hands Job chapter 23 then job replied even today my complaint is bitter his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning if only I knew where to find him if only I could go to his dwelling I would State my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments I would find out what he would answer me and consider what he would say to me would he vigorously oppose me with great power no he would not press charges against me there the upright can establish their innocence before him and there I would be delivered

for ever from my judge but if I go to the east he is not there if I go to the West I do not find him when he is at work in the north I do not see him when he turns to the South I catch no glimpse of him but he knows the way that I take when he has tested me I shall come forth as gold my feet have closely followed his steps I have kept his way without turning aside I have not departed from the commands of his lips I have treasured the

words of his mouth more than my daily bread but he stands alone and who can oppose him he does whatever he pleases he carries out his decree against me and many such plans he still has in store that is why I am terrified before him when I think of all this I fear Him God has made my heart faint the almighty has terrified me yet I am not silenced by the darkness by the thick darkness that covers my face Job chapter 24 why does the almighty not set times for judgment why must those who know

him look in vain for such days there are those who move boundary Stones they pass your flocks they have stolen they drive away the orphan's donkey and take the widows dos in pledge they thrust the needy From the Path and force all the poor of the land into hiding like wild donkeys in the desert the poor go about their labor of foraging food the Wasteland provides food for their children they gather fodder in the fields and glean in The Vineyards of the wicked lacking clothes they spend the night naked they have nothing to cover themselves

in the cold they are drenched by Mountain rains and hug the rocks for lack of shelter the fatherless child is snatched from the breast the infant of the poor is seized for a debt lacking clothes they go about naked they carry the sheaves but still go hungry they Crush olives Among The Terraces they tread the wine presses yet suffer thirst the groans of the dying rise from the city and The Souls of the Wounded cry out for help but God charges no one with wrong wrongdoing there are those who rebel against the light who do

not know its ways or stay in its paths when daylight is gone the murderer Rises up kills the poor and needy and in the night steals forth like a thief the eye of the adulterer watches for dusk he thinks no IE will see me and he keeps his face concealed in the dark thieves break into houses but by day they shut themselves in they want nothing to do with the light for all of them Midnight is their morning they make friends with the Terrors of Darkness yet they are foam on the surface of the water

their portion of the land is cursed so that no one goes to The Vineyards as heat and drought snatch away the melted snow so the grave snatches away those who have sinned the womb forgets them the worm feasts on them the wicked are no longer remembered but are broken like a tree they pray on the barren and childless woman and to the Widow they show no kindness but God drags away the Mighty by his power though they become established they have no Assurance of life he may let them rest in a feeling of security but

his eyes are on their ways for a little the while they are exalted and then they are gone they are brought low and gathered up like all others they are cut off like ears of corn if this is not so who can prove me false and reduce my words to nothing job CH 25 then bildad the Sho height replied dominion and all belong to God he establishes order in the heights of Heaven can his forces be numbered on whom does his light not rise how then can a mortal be righteous before God how can one

born of woman be pure if even the Moon is not bright and the stars are not pure in his eyes how much less a mortal who is but a maggot a human being who is only a worm job CH 26 then job replied how you have helped the powerless how you have saved the arm that is feeble what advice you have offered to one without wisdom and what great Insight you have displayed who has helped you utter these words and whose Spirit spoke from your mouth the dead are in deep anguish those beneath the waters

and all that live in them the realm of the Dead is naked before God destruction lies uncovered he spreads out the northern sky eyes over empty space he suspends the Earth over nothing he wraps up the waters in his clouds yet the clouds do not burst under their weight he covers the face of the full moon spreading his clouds over it he marks out the Horizon on the face of the waters for a boundary between light and darkness the pillars of the heavens Quake a gast at his rebuke by his power he churned up the

Sea by his wisdom he cut Rahab to pieces by his breath the skies became Fair his hand pierced the gliding Serpent and these but the outer Fringe of his Works how faint The Whisper we hear of him who then can understand the Thunder of his power Job chapter 27 and job continued his discourse as surely as God Lives who has denied me Justice the almighty who is made my life bitter as long as I have life within me the Breath of God in my nostrils my lips will not say anything Wicked and my tongue will

not utter lies I will never admit you are in the right till I die I will not deny my Integrity I will maintain my innocence and never let go of it my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live may my enemy be like the wicked my head adversary like the unjust for what hope have the Godless when they are cut off when God takes away their life does God listen to their cry when distress comes upon them will they find Delight in the almighty will they call on God at all times I

will teach you about the power of God the ways of the Almighty I will not conceal you have all seen this yourselves why then this meaningless talk here is the Fate God allots to the Wicked the Heritage a ruthless man receives from the almighty however many his children their fate is the sword his offspring will never have enough to eat the plague will bury those who survive him and their widows will not weep for them though he heaps up silver like dust and clothes like piles of clay what he lays up the righteous will wear

and the innocent will divide his silver the house he builds is like a moth's cocoon like a Hut made by a Watchman he lies down wealthy but will do so no more when he opens his eyes all is gone Terrors overtake him like a flood a tempest snatches him away in the night the East Wind carries him off and he is gone it sweeps him out of his place it hurls itself against him without Mercy as he flees headlong from its power it claps its hands in derision and hisses him out of his place Job

chapter 28 there is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined iron is taken from the earth and copper is smelted from a Mortals put an end to the darkness they search out the farthest recesses for a in the blackest Darkness far from Human dwellings they cut a shaft in places Untouched by human feet far from other people they dangle and sway the Earth from which food comes is transformed below as by fire lapis lazuli comes from its rocks and its dust contains nuggets of gold no bird of prey knows that hidden

path no Falcon's eye has seen it proud beasts do not set foot on it and no lion prowls there people Assault The flinty Rock with their hands and lay bare the roots of the mountains they tunnel through the rock their eyes see all its Treasures they search the sources of the rivers and bring hidden things to light but where can wisdom be found where does understanding dwell no mortal comprehends its worth it cannot be found in the land of the living the Deep says it is not in me the sea says it is not with

me it cannot be bought with the finest gold nor can its price be weighed out in silver it cannot be bought with a gold of Opia with precious Onyx or lapis lazuli neither gold nor Crystal can compare with it nor can it be had for jewels of gold Coral and Jasper are not worthy of mention the price of wisdom is beyond rubies the topaz of kush cannot compare with it it cannot be bought with pure gold where then does wisdom come from where does understanding dwell it is hidden from the eyes of every living thing

concealed even from the birds in the sky destruction and death say oh a rumor of it has reached our ears God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells for he views the ends of the Earth and sees everything under the heavens when he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm then he looked at wisdom and appraised it he confirmed it and tested it and he said to the human race the fear of the

Lord that is wisdom and to shun evil is understanding Job chapter 29 job continued his discourse how I long for the months gone by for the days when God watched over me when his lamp Shone on my head and by his light I walked through Darkness oh for the days when I was in my Prime when God's intimate friendship blessed my house when the almighty was still with me and my children were around me when my path was drenched with cream and The Rock poured out for me streams of olive oil when I went to

the gate of the city and took my seat in the Public Square the young men saw me and stepped aside and the old men Rose to their feet the chief men refrained from speaking and covered their mouths with their hands the voices of the nobles were hushed and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths whoever heard me spoke well of me and those who saw me commended me because I rescued the poor who cried for help and the fatherless who had none to assist them the one who was dying blessed me I made

the Widow's heart sing I put on righteousness as my clothing Justice was my robe and my turban I was eyes to the Blind and feet to the lame I was a father to the needy I took up the case of the stranger I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth I thought I shall die in my own house my days as numerous as the grains of sand my roots will reach to the water and the Dew will lie all night on my branches my Glory will not fade the bow

will be ever new in my hand people listened to me expectantly waiting in silence for my counsel after I had spoken they spoke no more my words fell gently on their ears they waited for me as for showers and Drank in My Words as the spring rain when I smiled at them they scarcely believed it the light of my face was precious to them I chose the way for them and sat as their Chief I dwelt as a king among his troops I was like one who comforts mourners Job chapter 30 but now they mock

me men younger than I whose fathers I would have disdained to put with my sheep dogs of what use was the strength of their hands to me since their Vigor had gone from them Haggard from want and hunger they roamed the parched land in desolate wastelands at night in the brush they gathered salt herbs and their food was the root of the broom Bush they were banished from Human Society shouted at as if they were thieves they were forced to live in the dry stream beds among the rocks and in holes in the ground they

braided among the bushes and huddled in the underground a base and nameless brood they were driven out of the land and now those young men mock me in song I have become a byword among them they detest me and keep their distance they do not hesitate to spit in my face now that God has unstrung my bow and Afflicted me they throw off restraint in my presence on my right the tribe attacks they lay snares for my feet they build their Siege ramps against me they break up my road they succeed in destroying me no

one can help him they say they Advance as through a gaping breach amid the ruins they come rolling in Terrors overwhelm me my dignity is driven away as by the wind my safety vanishes like a cloud and now my life es away days of suffering grip me night pierces my bones my knowing pains never rest in his great power God becomes like clothing to me he binds me like the neck of my garment he throws me into the mud and I am reduced to dust and Ashes I cry out to you God but you do

not answer I stand up but you merely look at me you turn on me ruthlessly with the might of your hand you attack me you snatch me up and drive me before the wind you toss me about in the storm I know you will bring me down to death to the place appointed for all the living surely no one lays a hand on a Broken Man when he cries for help in his distress have I not wept for those in trouble has not my soul grieved for the poor yet when I hoped for good evil

came when I looked for light then came Darkness the churning inside me never stops days of suffering confront me I go about blackened but not by the sun I stand up in the assembly and cry for help I have become a brother of Jackal a companion of owls my skin grows is black and peels my body burns with fever my liar is tuned to mourning and my pipe to the sound of wailing Job chapter 31 I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman for what is our lot from

God above our heritage from the almighty on high is it not ruin for the wicked disaster for those who do wrong does he not see my ways and count my every step if I have walked with falsehood or my foot has hurried after deceit let God weigh me in honest scales and he will know that I am blameless if my steps have turned from the path if my heart has been led by my eyes or if my hands have been defiled then may others eat what I have sown and may my crops be uprooted if

my heart has been enticed by a woman or if I have lurked at my neighbor's door then may my wife grind another man's grain and may other men sleep with her for that would have been Wicked a sin to be judged it is a fire that burns to destruction it would have uprooted my Harvest if I have denied Justice to any of my servants whether male or female when they had a grievance against me what will I do when God confronts me what will I answer when called to account did not he who made me

in the womb make them did not the same one form us both within our mothers if I have denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the Widow grow weary if I have kept my bread to myself not sharing it with the fatherless but from my youth I reared them as a father would and from my birth I guided the Widow if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing or the needy without garments and their hearts did not bless me for warming them with the fleece from my sheep if I

have raised my hand against the fatherless knowing that I had influence in court then let my arm fall from the shoulder let it be broken off at the joint for I dreaded destruction from God and for fear of his Splendor I could not do such things if I have put my trust in gold or said to pure gold you are my security if I have rejoiced over my great wealth the fortune my hands had gained if I have regarded the sun in its Radiance or the moon moving in splendor so that my heart was secretly

enticed and my hand offered them a kiss of homage then these also would be sins to be judged for I would have been unfaithful to God on high if if I have rejoiced at my enemy's Misfortune or gloated over the trouble that came to him I have not allowed my mouth to sin by invoking a curse against their life if those of my household have never said who has not been filled with job's meat but no stranger had to spend the night in the street for my door was always open to the traveler if I

have concealed my sin as people do by hiding my guilt in my heart because I so feared the crowd and so dreaded the contempt of the Clans that I kept silent and would not go outside oh that I had someone to hear me I sign now my defense let the almighty answer me let my accuser put his indictment in writing surely I would wear it on my shoulder I would put it on like a crown I would give him an account of my every step I would present it to him as to a ruler if

my land cries out against me and all its FS are wet with tears if I have devoured its yield without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants then let Briars come up instead of Wheat and stinkweed instead of barley the words of job are ended Job chapter 32 so these three men stopped answering job because he was righteous in his own eyes but eliu son of barakel the buite of the family of ram became very angry with job for justifying himself rather than God he was also angry with the three friends because they had

found no way to refute job and yet had condemned him now eliu had waited before speaking to job because they were older than he but when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say his anger was aroused so in elu son of barakel the buite said I am young in years and you are old that is why I was fearful not daring to tell you what I know I thought age should speak Advanced years should teach wisdom but it is the spirit in a person the breath of the almighty that gives them

understanding it is not only the old who are wise not only the Aged who understand what is right therefore I say listen to me I too will tell you what I know I waited while you spoke I listened to your reasoning while you were searching for words I gave you my full attention but not one of you has proved job wrong none of you has answered his arguments do not say we have found wisdom let God not a man refute him but job has not marshalled his words against me and I will not answer him

with your arguments they are dismayed and have no more to say words have failed them must I wait now that they are silent now that they stand there with no reply I too will have my say I too will tell what I know for I am full of words and the spirit Within Me compels me inside I'm like bottled up wine like new wine skins ready to burst I must speak and find relief I must open my lips and reply I will show no partiality nor will I flatter anyone for if I were skilled in

flattery my maker would soon take me away Job chapter 33 but now job listen to my words pay attention to everything I say I am about to open my mouth my words are on the tip of my tongue my words come from upright heart my lips sincerely speak what I know the spirit of God has made me the breath of the almighty gives me life answer me then if you can stand up and argue your case before me I am the same as you in God's sight I too am a piece of clay no fear

of me should alarm you nor should my hand be heavy on you but you have said in my hearing I heard the very words I am pure I have done no wrong I am clean and free from sin yet God has found fault with me he considers me his enemy he fastens my feet in shackles he keeps close watch on all my paths but I tell you in this you are not right for God is greater than any mortal why do you complain to him that he responds to no one's words for God does speak

now one way now another though no one perceives it in a dream in a vision of the night when deep sleep falls on people as they Slumber in their beds he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings to turn them from wrongdoing and keep them from Pride to preserve them from the pit their lives from perishing by the swore or someone may be chastened on a bed of pain with constant distress in their bones so that their body finds food repulsive and their soul loath the choicest meal their flesh wastes away to

nothing and their bones once hidden now stick out they draw near to the pit and their life to The Messengers of death yet if there is an angel at their side a messenger one out of a thousand sent to tell them how to be upright and he is gracious to that person and says to God spare them from going down to the pit I have found a ransom for them let their flesh be renewed like a child's let them be restored as in the days of their youth then that person can pray to God and

find favor with him they will see God's face and Shout for Joy he will restore them to full well-being and they will go to others and say I have sinned and I have perverted what is right but I did not get what I deserved God has delivered me from going down to the pit and I shall live to enjoy the light of life God does all these things to a person twice even three times to turn them back from the pit that the light of life may shine on them pay attention job and listen to

me be silent and I will speak if you have anything to say answer me speak up for I want to vindicate you but if not then listen to me be silent and I will teach you wisdom Job chapter 34 then eliu said hear my words you wise men listen to me you men of learning for the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food let us discern for ourselves what is right let us learn together what is good job says I am innocent but God denies me Justice although I am right I'm considered a liar

although I am Guiltless his arrow in inflicts an incurable [Music] wound is there anyone like job who drinks scorn like water he keeps company with evildoers he Associates with the wicked for he says there is no profit in trying to please God so listen to me you men of understanding far be it from God to do evil from the almighty to do wrong he repays everyone for what they have done he brings on them what their conduct deserves it is Unthinkable that God would do wrong that the almighty would pervert Justice who appointed him over

the Earth who put him in charge of the whole world if it were his intention and he withdrew his spirit and breath all Humanity would perish together and Mankind would return to the dust if you have understanding here hear this listen to what I say can someone who hates Justice govern will you condemn the just and mighty one is he not the one who says to Kings you are worthless and to Nobles you are wicked who shows no partiality to princes and does not favor the rich over the poor for they are all the work

of his hands they die in an instant in the middle of the night the people are shaken and they pass away the Mighty are removed without human hand his eyes are on the ways of Mortals he sees their every step there is no deep Shadow no utter Darkness where evildoers can hide God has no need to examine men further that they should come before him for judgment without inquiry he shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place because he takes note of their deeds he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed

he punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them because they turned from following him and had no regard for any of his ways they caused the Cry of the poor to come before him so that he heard the Cry of the needy but if he remains silent who can condemn him if he hides his face who can see him yet he is over individual and Nation alike to keep the Godless from ruling from laying snares for the people suppose someone says to God I am guilty but will offend no more teach me what

I cannot see if I have done wrong I will not do so again should God then reward you on your terms when you refuse to repent you must decide not I so tell me what you know men of understanding declare wise men who hear me say to me job speaks without knowledge his words lack Insight oh that job might be tested to the uttermost for answering like a wicked man to his sin he adds Rebellion scornfully he claps his hands Among Us and multiplies his words against God job chter 35 then elu said do you

think this is just you say I am in the right not God yet you ask him what profit is it to me and what do I gain by not sinning I would like to reply to you and to your friends with you look up at the heavens and see gaze at the clouds so high above you if you sin how does that affect him if your sins are many what does that do to him if you are righteous what do you give to him or what does he receive from your hand your wickedness only affects

humans like yourself and your righteousness only other people people cry out under a load of Oppression they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful but no one says where is God my maker who gives songs in the night who teaches us more than he teaches the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds in the sky he does not answer when people cry out because of the arrogance of the wicked indeed God does not listen to their empty plea the almighty pays no attention to it how much less then will

he listen when you say that you do not see him that your case is before him and you must wait for him and further that his anger never punishes and he does not take the least notice of wickedness so job opens his mouth with empty talk without knowledge he multiplies words Job chapter 36 eliu continued bear with me a little longer and I will show you that there is more to be said on God's behalf I get my knowledge from afar I will ascribe Justice to my maker be assured that my words are not false

one who has perfect knowledge is with you God is mighty but despises no one he is mighty and firm in his purpose he does not keep the wicked alive but gives The Afflicted their rights he does not take his eyes off the righteous he enthrones them with Kings and exalts them forever but if people abound in Chains held fast by cords of Affliction he tells them what they have done that they have sinned arrogantly he makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil if if they obey and serve him they

will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment but if they do not listen they will perish By The Sword and die without knowledge the Godless in heart Harbor resentment even when he fets them they do not cry for help they die in their youth among male prostitutes of the shrines but those who suffer he delivers in their suffering he speaks to them in their Affliction he is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious Place free from restriction to the comfort of your table Laden with Choice food

but now you are Laden with judgment due to the wicked judgment and Justice have taken hold of you be careful that no one entices you by riches do not let a large bribe turn you aside would your wealth or even all your Mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress do not long for the night to drag people away from their homes beware of turning to evil which you seem to prefer to Affliction God is exalted in his power who is a teacher like him who has prescribed his ways for him or

said to him you have done wrong remember to extol his work which people have praised in song All Humanity has seen it Mortals Gaze on it from afar How Great Is God beyond our understanding the number of his years is past finding out he draws up the drops of water which distill as rain to the streams the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind who can understand how he spreads out the clouds how he Thunders from his Pavilion see how he scatters his lightning about him bathing the depths of the sea

this is the way he governs the Nations and provides food in abundance he fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark his Thunder announces the coming storm even the cattle make known its approach job chter 37 at this my heart pounds and leaps from its place listen listen to the Roar of his voice to the rumbling that comes from his mouth he unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the Earth after that comes the sound of his Roar he Thunders with his Majestic voice when

his voice resounds he holds nothing back God's voice thunders in marvelous ways he does great things beyond our understanding he says to the snow fall on the Earth and to the rain shower be a mighty downpour so that everyone he has made may know his work he stops all people from their labor the animals take cover they remain in their dens The Tempest comes out from its chamber the cold from the driving winds the Breath of God produces ice and the broad Waters become Frozen he loads the clouds with moisture he scatters his lightning through

them at his Direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them he brings the clouds to punish people or to water his Earth and show his love listen to this job stop and consider God's wonders do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash do you know how the clouds hang poised those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge you who swelter in your clothes when the land lies hushed under the south wind can you join him in spreading out the skies hard

as a mirror of cast bronze tell us what we should say to him we cannot draw up our case because of our Darkness should he be told that I want to speak would anyone ask to be swallowed up now no one could look at the Sun bright as it is in the skies after the wind wind has swept them clean out of the North he comes in Golden Splendor God comes in awesome Majesty the almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power in his Justice and great righteousness he does not oppress therefore people rever

him for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart Job 38 then the Lord spoke to job out of the storm he said who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge brace yourself like a man I will question you and you shall answer me where were you when I laid the Earth's Foundation tell me if you understand who marked off its Dimensions surely you know who stretched a measuring line across it on what were its footings set or who laid its Cornerstone while the morning Stars sang together and all

the Angels shouted for Joy who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place when I said this far you may come and no farther here is where your proud waves halt have you ever given orders to the morning or shown the dawn its place that it might take the Earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it the Earth takes shape like clay

under a seal its features stand out like those of a garment the wicked are denied their light and their upraised arm is broken have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep have the gates of death been shown to you have you seen the gates of the deepest Darkness have you comprehended the vast expanses of the Earth tell me if you know all this what is the way to the Abode of light and where does Darkness reside can you take them to their places do you know the

paths to their dwellings surely you know for you were already born you have lived so many years have you entered the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of the hail which I reserve for times of trouble for days of war and battle what is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed or the place where the East Winds are scattered over the Earth who cuts a channel for the Torrance of rain and a path for the thunderstorm to water a land where no one lives an uninhabited desert to satisfy a desolate

Wasteland and make it Sprout with grass does the rain have a father who fathers the drops of Dew from whose womb comes the ice who gives birth to the frost from the heavens when the waters become hard as Stone when the surface of the deep is Frozen Can you bind the chains of the pades can you loosen Orion's Belt can you bring forth the constellations in their Seasons or lead out the bear with its Cubs do you know the laws of the heavens can you set up God's dominion over the Earth can you raise your

voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water do you send the lightning bolts on their way do they report to you here we are who gives the Ibis wisdom or gives the cockril understanding who has the wisdom to Camp the clouds who can tip over the water jars of the heavens when the dust becomes hard and the clouds of Earth stick together do you hunt the prey for the Lioness and satisfy the hunger of the Lions when they crouch in their dens or lie in weight in a Thicket who provides food

for the Raven when its young cry out to God and wander about for lack of food Job chapter 39 did you know when the mountain goats give birth do you watch when the dough Bears her for do you count the months till they bear do you know the time they give birth they Crouch down and bring forth their young their labor pains are ended their young Thrive and grow strong in the Wilds they leave and do not return who let the wild donkey Go free who untied its ropes [Music] I gave it the Wasteland as

its home the Salt Flats as its habitat it laughs at the commotion in the town it does not hear a driver's shout it ranges the hills for its pasture and searches for any green thing will the wild ox consent to serve you will it stay by your manger at night can you hold it to the Farrow with a harness will it till The Valleys behind you will you rely on it for its great strength will you leave your heavy work to it can you trust it to haul in your grain and bring it to your

threshing floor the wings of the ostrich flap joyfully though they cannot compare with the wings and feathers of the stalk She lays her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the sand unmindful that a foot may crush them that some wild animal May trample them she treats her young harshly as if they were not hers she cares not that her labor was in vain for God did not endow her with wisdom or give her a share of Good Sense yet when she spreads her feathers to run she laughs at Horse and Rider do

you give the horse its strength or clothe its neck with a flowing man do you make it leap like a locust striking Terror with its proud snorting it pours fiercely rejoicing in its strength and charges Into The Fray it laughs at fear afraid of nothing it does not shy away from The Sword the quiver rattles against its side along with the flashing Spear and Lance INF Frid excitement it eats up the ground it cannot stand still when the trumpet sounds at the blast of the trumpet it snorts aha it catches the scent of battle from

afar the shout of commanders and the Battle Cry does the hawk take flight by your wisdom and spread its wings towards the South does the eagle so at your command and build its nest on high it dwells on a cliff and stays there at night a rocky Crag is its stronghold from there it looks for food its eyes detect it from afar its young ones Feast on blood and wear the slain are there it is Job chapter 40 the Lord said to Job will the one who contends with the almighty correct him let him who

accuses God answer him then job answered the Lord I am unworthy how can I reply to you I put my hand over my mouth I spoke once but I have no answer twice but I will say no more then the Lord spoke to job out of the storm brace yourself like a man I will question you and you shall answer me would you discredit my Justice would you condemn me to justify yourself do you have an arm like gods and can your voice Thunder like his then Adorn yourself with glory and Splendor and clothe yourself

in honor and Majesty unleash the fury of your wroth look at all who are proud and bring them low look at all who are proud and humble them crush the wicked where they stand bury them all in the dust together shroud their faces in the grave then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you look at beeroth which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox what strength it has in its loins what power in the muscles of its belly its tails sways like a

cedar the senu of its thighs are close net its bones are tubes of bronze its limbs like rods of iron it ranks first among the works of God yet its maker can approach it with his sword the hills bring it their produce and all the wild animals play nearby under the lotus plant it lies hidden among the reeds in the marsh the lotuses can conceal it in their Shadow the popplers by the streams surround it a raging River does not alarm it it is secure though the Jordan should surge against its mouth can anyone capture

it by the eyes or trap it and Pierce its nose job chapter 41 can you pull in Leviathan with a fish hook or tie down its tongue with a rope can you put a cord through its nose or Pierce its jaw with a hook will it keep begging you for Mercy will it speak to you with gentle words will it make an agreement with you for you to take it as your slave for life can you make a pet of it like a bird or put it on a leash for the young women in your

house will Traders barter for it will they divide it up among the merchants can you fill its hide with harpoons or its head with fishing Spears if you lay a hand on it you will remember the struggle and never do it again any hope of subduing it is false the mere sight of it is overpowering no one is fierce enough to Rouse it who then is able to stand against me who has a claim against me that I must pay everything under heaven belongs to me I will not fail to speak of leviathan's Limbs its

strength and its graceful form who can strip off its outer coat who can penetrate its double coat of armor Who Dares open the doors of its mouth ringed about with its fearsome teeth its back has rows of shields tightly sealed together each is so close to the next that no air can pass between they are join fast to one another they cling together and cannot be parted its snorting throws out flashes of light its eyes are like the Rays of dawn Flames stream from its mouth Sparks of fire shoot out smoke pours from its nostrils

as from a Boiling Pot over burning reads its breath sets coals Ablaze and Flames Dart from its mouth strength resides in its neck dismay goes before it it the folds of its flesh are tightly joined they are firm and immovable its chest is hard as rock hard as a lower Millstone when it rises up the mighty are terrified they Retreat before its thrashing the sword that reaches it has no effect nor does the spear or the dart or the javelin iron it treats like straw and bronze like rot wood arrows do not make it flee

slingstones are like chaff to it a club seems to it but a piece of straw it laughs at the rattling of the Lance its undersides are Jagged pot shirts leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing Sledge it makes the depths churn like a boiling cauldron and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment it leaves a glistening wake behind it one would think the Deep had white hair nothing on Earth is its equal a creature without fear it looks down on all that are hay it is King over all that are proud

job chter 42 then job replied to the Lord I know that you can do all things no purpose of yours can be thwarted you asked who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge surely I spoke of things I did not understand things too wonderful for me to know you said listen now and I will speak I will question you and you shall answer me my ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and Ashes after the Lord had said these things to job

he he said to elifas the Tonite I am angry with you and your two friends because you have not spoken the truth about me as my servant job has so now take seven bulls and seven Rams and go to my servant job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves my servant job will pray for you and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your fa you have not spoken the truth about me as my servant job has so elifaz the Tonite bildad the shuhite and zofar the naamathite did what the

Lord told them and the Lord accepted job's prayer after job had prayed for his friends the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before all his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and Ed with him in his house they comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring the Lord blessed the latter part of job's life more than the former part he had 14,000 sheep 6,000 camels 1,000

yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys and he also had seven sons sons and three daughters the first daughter he named Jima the second kaziah and the third Karen hapuk nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as job's daughters and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers after this job lived 140 years he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation and so job died an old man and full of years