The Makers and Teachers of Judaism Part 11

[Sidenote: 14:7-10]

For there is hope of a tree, If it will be cut down, that it will sprout again, And that its shoot will not cease.

Though its root grow old in the earth, And its stock die in the ground; By the scent of water it will bud, And put forth its branches like a plant.

But man dies and is laid low: Yea, a man expires, and where is he?

[Sidenote: Job 14:13-15, 18, 19]

Oh, that thou wouldst hide me in Sheol, That thou wouldst keep me in secret, until thy wrath be past, That thou wouldst appoint over me a time, and remember me!

If a man might die, shall he live again!

All the days of my hard service would I wait, Until my release should come.

Thou wouldst call and I myself would answer thee; Thou wouldst long for the work of thy hands.

But the mountain surely falls, And the rock moves from its place, The water wears away the stones, Its floods wash away the dust of the earth.

[Sidenote: Job 15:4-6]

Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite and said:

Verily, you do away with the fear of G.o.d, And hinder devotion before G.o.d.

For your wickedness inspires your speech, And you choose the tongue of the crafty.

Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; And your own lips testify against you.

[Sidenote: Job 16:1-3a, 4b]

Then answered Job and said:

I have heard many such things; Troublesome comforters are you all.

Is there no end to vain words?

If you were only in my place, I could join words together against you!

[Sidenote: Job 16:11-13a]

G.o.d delivereth me to the unG.o.dly, And casteth me into the hands of the wicked.

I was at ease, and he shattered me, He seized me by the neck and dashed me to pieces, He hath also set me up as his target, His arrows encompa.s.s me round about.

[Sidenote Job 16:18-21]

O earth, cover not my blood, And let my cry have no resting place.

Even now behold my witness is in the heaven, And he who voucheth for me is on high.

He will be found to be my friend, To G.o.d my eye pours out its tears.

And he will maintain the right of a man with G.o.d, And between a man and his neighbor!

[Sidenote: Job 18:1, 5-7]

Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said:

The light of the wicked is put out, And the flame of his fire does not s.h.i.+ne, The light is darkened in his tent, And his light above him is put out.

The steps of his strength are shortened, And his own counsel shall cast him down.

[Sidenote: Job 19:13-16]

Then Job answered and said:

My brothers keep far from me, And my acquaintances are like strangers to me.

My kinsmen have ceased to know me, Even the guests in my house have forgotten me.

My maids regard me as a stranger, I am an alien in their sight.

[Sidenote: Job 19:23-27]

Oh, that my words were now written!

Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!

That with an iron pen and lead They were engraved in a rock forever!

But I indeed know that my Vindicator liveth, And at last he will stand upon the earth: And after this, my skin, is destroyed, Then I shall behold G.o.d, Whom I myself shall see on my side, Mine eyes shall behold, and not a stranger.

[Sidenote: Job 20:1-4]

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said:

Not so do my thoughts give answer to me, Because of this my haste is mine!

I have heard the reproof which puts me to shame; But with wind void of understanding you answer me.

Have you not known this from of old, Since man was placed upon the earth, That the exulting of the wicked is short, And the joy of the G.o.dless but for a moment?

[Sidenote: Job: 21:1, 7-8]

Then answered Job and said: Why do the wicked live, Grow old, and attain great power?

Their descendants are established in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes.

Their households are secure from terror, And the rod of G.o.d is not upon them.

[Sidenote: Job 22:1-6]

Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered, and said, Is a man of any account to G.o.d?

Surely a wise man is of account to himself.

Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that you are righteous?

Or is it gain to him that you are upright?

Is it because of your fear of him that he reproveth you, That he entereth into judgment with you?

Is not your wickedness great?

And there is no end to your iniquities.

[Sidenote: Job 22:26, 27, 28]

If you return to the Almighty and humble yourself, If you remove unrighteousness far from your tents.

You shall make your prayer to him, and he will hear you, And you shall pay your vows.

You shall also decree a thing, and it shall be established for you.

And light shall s.h.i.+ne upon your ways.

[Sidenote: Job 23:1-6]

Then Job answered and said,

Even now my complaint is bitter, My stroke is heavier than my groaning.

Oh, that I knew where I might find him!

That I might come even to his throne!

I would set forth my cause before him, And fill my mouth with arguments.

I would know the words which he would answer me, And understand what he would say to me.

Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?

Verily he would give heed to me.

[Sidenote: Job 25:1-4]

Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,

Dominion and terror are with him; He maketh peace in his high places.

Is there any number to his armies?

And upon whom does not his light arise?