CHAPTER XXVII....XXVIII....XXIX. CHAPTER XXVII. The blessings which the wicked have are turned into curses. MOR 2 As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul; 3 All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils, d 4 My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my Gal. 2, 11. tongue utter deceit. 12 Cor. 1, g ch. 2, 8. 5 God forbid that I should justify you: till I dic I will not remove mine integrity from me. 6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it A 24, go:my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. i 2 Sam. 18, $2. 20. 7' Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous. 8 For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he Luke 12, hath gained, when Godtaketh away his soul? 9 Will God hear his cry when 'trouble cometh upon him? I Prov. 1,23. m Ps. 73,34. n 32. 10 Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God? 11 I will teach you by the hand of God: that Luke 12, which is with the Almighty will I not conceal. o Ps. 4, 2. 12 Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; why then are ye thus altogether ° vain? 13 This is the portion of a wicked man with God, PRev. 6,17 and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty. q Esther 9, 10. r Pr. 10, 7. 14 If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword; and his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread. 15 Those that remain of him shall be buried in? Ps. 78, 64. death; and his widows shall not weep. 16 Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay; 17 He may prepare it, but " the just shall put it and the innocent shall divide the silver. on, 18 He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth that the keeper maketh. 2 19 The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not 2 Ps. 37, 36 be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not. 20 Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest Ex. 12, 29. stealeth him away in the night. b Dan. 4,31. e Ex. 14, 25. Judg. 4, 17. 21 The cast wind carrieth him away, and he de 10 He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and 15 It cannot be gotten for P gold, neither shall silver parteth; and, as a storm, "hurleth him out of his place. MORE 22 For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he Amos 2, 14. would fain flee out of his hand. d Rev. 13, 20. & 19, 1, 2,3. a Pr. 25, 4. Mat. 6, 33. b Ex. 36, 1. elsa. 23, 15. 1 Cor. 4, 5. c 23 Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place. b 2 Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me; c 3 When his candle shined upon my head, and when 6 When I washed my steps with butter, and the d1 Kings out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death. 7 When I went out to the gate, through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street; 8 The young men saw me, and' hid themselves : and the aged arose, and stood up. 9 The princes refrained talking, and 'laid their hand on their mouth. 10 The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth. b lleb. 13, & 11 When the ear heard me, then it " blessed Mark 7. me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness John 12 37 to me: 15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. 16 I was a father to the poor; and the cause which Micah 4,6. I knew not " I searched out. A 2 Kings 2.23. b Tit. 1, 12. 21. CHAPTER XXX. Job's honour is turned into extreme contempt. UT now they that are younger than I have me CHRIST cir. 1520. u Lam. 2 18 By the great force of my disease is my garment changed: it bindeth me about as the collar of my coat. 18. 19 He hath cast me into the mire, and I am x Prov 4. become like dust and ashes. a 16 20 I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I y Ps. 39, 11. stand up, and thou regardest me not. C 21 Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me. z Ps. 40, 2 & 69,30 a Jer. 15, 1. 22 Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest b Mat. 15, me to ride upon it, and dissolvest my substance. 23 For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, io. and to the house appointed for all living. 24 Howbeit he will not 'stretch out his hand to the 27. grave, though they cry in his destruction. 25 Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor? 26 When I looked for good, then evil came urtog Rom. 12, me; and when I waited for light, there came darkness. 15. 27 My bowels boiled, and rested not; the days of h Jer 3, 15. affliction prevented me." f Mat. 14, $1. i Col. 3, 12 28 I went 'mourning" without the sun: I stood k Amos 9, up, and I cried in the congregation. n 10. 29 I am a brother to dragons, and a companion IPs. 42, 9. to owls. 30° My skin is black upon me, and my bones are burnt with heat. 31 My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that wecp. CHAPTER XXXI. Job maketh a solemn protestation of his integrity. in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained I MADE a covenant with mine eyes; why then Mat 5,2%. 10 They abhor me, they flec far from me, and spare not to 'spit in my face. 11 Because he hath loosed my cord, and "afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me. 12 Upon my right hand rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction. 13 Theymar my path, they set forward my calamity, they have no helper. 14 They came upon me as a wide breaking-in q Deut. 32, of waters: in the desolation they rolled themselves upon me. 23 For' destruction from God was a terror to me, 25 If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and Luke 12,15. because my hand had gotten much; i Esth. 5, 11. James 5, 5. k Roin. 1, 23. I Mat. 15, m Hos. 13, 2. 01 Sam. 15, 23. o Mat. 4, 10. 26 If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness, 27 And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: 28 This also were an iniquity " to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above. 29 If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that " hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him; 30 (Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by P Ps. 35, 15. Wishing a curse to his soul;) 31 If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that 33 If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by 31 (Did I fear a great multitude, or did the " contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door? 35 Oh that one would hear me ! behold, my desire is that the Almighty would answer me, and that 36 Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and 1 Mat. 5, 1. bind it as a crown to me. a1 Pet. 3, 15. b Pr. 23, 1. 37 I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.) c 38 If my land cry against me, or that the furrows e Hab. 2,11. likewise thereof complain; d.Jam. 5, 4. d 39 If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life; 29. u ch. 1, 21 x Amos 5, 13. 17 I said, I will answer also my part; I also willy 1 Cor. 1, shew mine opinion. 18 For I am full of matter; the spirit within 19 Behold, my belly is as wine which hath d 19. me z 2 Cor. 6, a Acts 4, 20. no b Mat. 9, 17. e Eph. 6, 18. will d Lev. 19, 15. 21 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person; neither let me give flattering titles unto man. 22 For 'I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my Maker would soon take me away. e Acts 12, 22. 2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my b Ps. 37, 31. tongue hath spoken in my mouth. e 1 Thes. 1, 3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my 3,4 heart; and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. d ch. 32, 8. 4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. 5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up; 6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead; I also am formed out of the clay. e 2 Cor. 5, 20. fch. 13, 21. g Deut. 13, 14. 7 Behold, 'my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee. 8 Surely thou hast spoken in my hearing, and I b ch. 2, 20. have heard the voice of thy words, saying, 9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. 10 Behold, befindeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy; 11 He putteth "my feet in the stocks, he "marketh all my paths. 5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when u Num. 12, 6 And Elihu, the son of Barachel the Buzite, an-deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon swered and said, I am young, and ye are very old, the bed, Junes, wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. 19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: d 20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. 21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen 'stick out. 22 His soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. and reproveth him. t 14 If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; 15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto" dust. 16 If now thou hast understanding, hear this; hearken to the voice of my words: Befor CHRIST clr. 15:20. t Ps. 26, 9. u Gen. S, 13 X 1 Cor. 19 17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and 15. wilt thou condemn him that is most just? 18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly y 2 Sam. 23, 3. 2 Exod. 22 28. a Rom. 2, b Rev. 18, 8 19 How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than 11. 23 If there be a messenger with him, an inter-the poor? for they all are the work of his hands. 20 In a moment shall they die, and the people preter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and uprightness; the mighty shall be taken away without hand. 21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and e 2 Chr. 16, he seeth all his goings. 26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him; and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness. 27 He looketh upon men; and if any say, I have 62 Sam. 12, sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it P profited me not; n Ps. 4, 6. 13. p Rom. 6, 21 28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, 1.38, 17 and his life shall see the light. lieb. twice and thrice. Micah 7, 18, 19. 29 Le, all these things worketh God † oftentimes with man, 30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to he Ps. 56, 15. enlightened with the light of the living. $ 2 Cor. 1, 24. t Ps. 34, 11. 31 Mark well, O Job; hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak. 32 If thou hast any thing to say, 'answer me: speak; for I desire to justify thee. t 33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and a Pr. 3, 13. I shall teach thee" wisdom. a. Pr. 1, 5. 12. CHAPTER XXXIV. 1 Elihu accuseth Job for charging God with injustice.... 10 God' FUR b URTHERMORE, Elihu answered and said, 1 Tim. 4, ear unto me, ye that have knowledge: e ch. 12, 11. 1 Rom. 12, 1. e Luke 1, 6. c 3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth 5 For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God feb 19, 7. hath taken away my judgment. g ch. 9, 17. b chap. 1, 8. i Prov. 4,17. k P's. 50, 18. 6 Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression. 7 What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water; 8 Which goeth in company with the workers of 1 ch. 9, 22. iniquity, and walketh with wicked men ? m Mal. S. 14. 33 Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thoux ch. 5, 14. choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest. 34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me. 35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his 36 || My desire is, that Job may be tried unto the 10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of under-E2 Shake moreover, and saidnight, that thou a Rom. 2, standing: Far be it from God, that he should do saidst, My righteousness is more than God's? wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should}{ 3 For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto 65. o Ps. 62, 12. commit iniquity. thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed c ch. o, 20. from my sin? 11 Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven? 12 There they cry, but none giveth answer, pr. 1, 23. because of the pride of evil men. o F. 91, 12. Psal. 5, 4. rch. 19, 2 SPs. 37, 6. 1 Exra 9, 13. u ch. 27, 12. 13 Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it. 14 Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him. 15 But now, because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity : 16 Therefore doth Job open his mouth "in vain : he multiplieth words without knowledge. CHAPTER XXXVI. Ekhu sheweth how God is just in hic ways. ELIHU also proceeded, and said, 2 Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that 21 Cor. 10, I have yet to speak on God's behalf. I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will b2-3,5- ascribe righteousness to my Maker. 20 Desire not the in their place. God's works are to be magnified. night, when people are cut off Before 21 Take heed, regard not iniquity. for this hast thou chosen' rather than affliction. CHRIST eir. 1.520. dEx. 12,29 e Ps. 66, 13. f Heb. 11, 35 22 Behold, God exalteth by his power: who3 teacheth like him? 23 Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can g Mat. 17,5 say, Thou hast wrought iniquity? 24 Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold. 25 Every man may see it: man may behold it afar off. b Ps. 40, 15. i1 John 1,5. k Rev. 15.3. 1 Ps. 92, 6. 26 Behold, God is great, and "we know him not; neither can the number of his years be searched m1 Cor. 13, out. 27 For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof, 28 Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly. 29 Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle? 30 Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea. 31 For by them'udgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance. 12. ■ Ps. 90, 2 o Ps 147, & p Ps. 68, 9 Ps. 104,3 sch. 57, 5. r Ps. 18, 12. t Acts 14,17. u Heb. 6, & 18, 44. 32 With clouds he covereth the light; and com- 11 Kings mandeth it not to shine, by the cloud that cometh betwixt. 33 The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour. CHAPTER XXXVII. God is to be feared because of his great works. 4 For truly my words shall not be false: he that AT this also my heart trembleth, and is moved ch. 32, 1. |