The Bible Part 105

31:23 For destruction from G.o.d was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.

31:24 If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; 31:25 If I rejoice because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much; 31:26 If I beheld the sun when it s.h.i.+ned, or the moon walking in brightness; 31:27 And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: 31:28 This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the G.o.d that is above.

31:29 If I rejoice at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him: 31:30 Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wis.h.i.+ng a curse to his soul.

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

31:32 The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller.

31:33 If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom: 31:34 Did I fear a great mult.i.tude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door? 31:35 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.

31:36 Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me.

31:37 I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.

31:38 If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain; 31:39 If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life: 31:40 Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and c.o.c.kle instead of barley.

The words of Job are ended.

32:1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

32:2 Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than G.o.d.

32:3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

32:4 Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.

32:5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.

32:6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.

32:7 I said, Days should speak, and mult.i.tude of years should teach wisdom.

32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

32:9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.

32:10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.

32:11 Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.

32:12 Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words: 32:13 Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: G.o.d thrusteth him down, not man.

32:14 Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.

32:15 They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.

32:16 When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;) 32:17 I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.

32:18 For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

32:19 Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

32:20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.

32:21 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering t.i.tles unto man.

32:22 For I know not to give flattering t.i.tles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.

33:1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

33:2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.

33:3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.

33:4 The spirit of G.o.d hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

33:5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.

33:6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in G.o.d's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.

33:7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.

33:8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, 33:9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.

33:10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, 33:11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.

33:12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that G.o.d is greater than man.

33:13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

33:14 For G.o.d speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

33:15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 33:16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, 33:17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

33:18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from peris.h.i.+ng by the sword.

33:19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the mult.i.tude of his bones with strong pain: 33:20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.

33:21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.

33:22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.

33:23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness: 33:24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.

33:25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: 33:26 He shall pray unto G.o.d, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.

33:27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; 33:28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.

33:29 Lo, all these things worketh G.o.d oftentimes with man, 33:30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

33:31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.

33:32 If thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.

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

34:1 Furthermore Elihu answered and said, 34:2 Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.

34:3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.

34:4 Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.

34:5 For Job hath said, I am righteous: and G.o.d hath taken away my judgment.

34:6 Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.

34:7 What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? 34:8 Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.

34:9 For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with G.o.d.

34:10 Therefore hearken unto me ye men of understanding: far be it from G.o.d, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

34:11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

34:12 Yea, surely G.o.d will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

34:13 Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world? 34:14 If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; 34:15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

34:16 If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.

34:17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just? 34:18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are unG.o.dly? 34:19 How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.

34:20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pa.s.s away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.

34:21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.

34:22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

34:23 For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with G.o.d.

34:24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.

34:25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

34:26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others; 34:27 Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways: 34:28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.

34:29 When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only: 34:30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.

34:31 Surely it is meet to be said unto G.o.d, I have borne chastis.e.m.e.nt, I will not offend any more: 34:32 That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.

34:33 Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.

34:34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.

34:35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.

34:36 My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.

34:37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against G.o.d.

35:1 Elihu spake moreover, and said, 35:2 Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than G.o.d's? 35:3 For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin? 35:4 I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.

35:5 Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.

35:6 If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him? 35:7 If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand? 35:8 Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.

35:9 By reason of the mult.i.tude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.

35:10 But none saith, Where is G.o.d my maker, who giveth songs in the night; 35:11 Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven? 35:12 There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.

35:13 Surely G.o.d will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.

35:14 Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.

35:15 But now, because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity: 35:16 Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.

36:1 Elihu also proceeded, and said, 36:2 Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on G.o.d's behalf.

36:3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

36:4 For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.

36:5 Behold, G.o.d is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.

36:6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.

36:7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.

36:8 And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction; 36:9 Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.

36:10 He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.

36:11 If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

36:12 But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.

36:13 But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.