THE BOOK OF
JOB
CHAPTERS 33-42
1 ¶ Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and
hearken to all my words.
2
Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
3 My words shall
be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
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.
7 Behold, my
terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
8 ¶ Surely thou hast spoken in mine
hearing, and I 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, he
findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,
11 He putteth my
feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
12
Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is
greater than man.
13 Why dost thou
strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
14 ¶ For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth
it not.
15
In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men,
in slumberings upon the bed;
16 Then he
openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
17 That he may
withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 He keepeth
back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 ¶ He is chastened also with pain
upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
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
Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the
destroyers.
23 If there be a
messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his
uprightness:
24 Then he is
gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have
found a ransom.
25
His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days
of his youth:
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 sinned, and perverted that which was right,
and it profited me not;
28
He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see
the light.
29 ¶ Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with
man,
30 To bring back
his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
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.
33
If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
1 ¶ Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
2 Hear my words,
O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
3 For the ear
trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
4
Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job hath
said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.
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 iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
9 For he hath
said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
10 ¶ Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding:
far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that
he should commit iniquity.
11
For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to
find according to his ways.
12 Yea, surely
God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
13 Who hath given
him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
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.
17 Shall even he
that hateth right govern? and 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?
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.
20 In a moment
shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
21 For his eyes
are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
22 There is no
darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide
themselves.
23 For he will
not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment
with God.
24 He shall break
in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
25 Therefore he
knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are
destroyed.
26
He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27 Because they
turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
28 So that they
cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the
afflicted.
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:
30 That the
hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
31 ¶ Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne
chastisement, I will not offend any more:
32
That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do
no more.
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 Let men of
understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.
35 Job hath
spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
36
My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers
for wicked men.
37 For he addeth
rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his
words against God.
1 ¶ Elihu spake moreover, and said,
2 Thinkest thou
this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's?
3 For thou
saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if
I be cleansed from my sin?
4
I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.
5 Look unto the
heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.
6 If thou
sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied,
what doest thou unto him?
7
If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of
thine hand?
8 Thy wickedness
may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.
9 ¶ By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make
the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.
10
But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;
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, because of the pride of evil men.
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.
1 ¶ Elihu also proceeded, and said,
2 Suffer me a
little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God's behalf.
3 I will fetch my
knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4
For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge
is with thee.
5 ¶ Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is
mighty in strength and wisdom.
6 He preserveth
not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.
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.
8 And if they be
bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;
9 Then he sheweth
them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
10 He openeth
also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.
11 If they obey
and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in
pleasures.
12 But if they
obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.
13
But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth
them.
14 They die in
youth, and their life is among the unclean.
15 ¶ He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and
openeth their ears in oppression.
16 Even so would
he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no
straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.
17 But thou hast
fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.
18 Because there
is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom
cannot deliver thee.
19 Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of
strength.
20 Desire not the
night, when people are cut off in their place.
21 Take heed,
regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.
22 Behold, God
exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?
23 Who hath
enjoined him his way? or who can 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.
26 Behold, God is
great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched
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 judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.
32 With clouds he
covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh
betwixt.
33 The noise
thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.
1 ¶ At this also my heart trembleth,
and is moved out of his place.
2 Hear
attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.
3 He directeth it
under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
4 After it a
voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.
5 God thundereth
marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.
6 ¶ For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth;
likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.
7
He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.
8 Then the beasts
go into dens, and remain in their places.
9 Out of the
south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.
10 By the breath
of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.
11 Also by
watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:
12
And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do
whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.
13 He causeth it
to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.
14 ¶ Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider
the wondrous works of God.
15 Dost thou know
when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?
16 Dost thou know
the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in
knowledge?
17 How thy
garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?
18 Hast thou with
him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?
19 Teach us what
we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.
20 Shall it be
told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.
21 ¶ And now men see not the bright light which is in the
clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.
22 Fair weather
cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.
23 Touching the
Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment,
and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.
24 Men do
therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.
1 ¶ Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and
said,
2 Who is this
that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now thy
loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 ¶ Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the
earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
5 Who hath laid
the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
6 Whereupon are
the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
7
When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted
for joy?
8 Or who shut up
the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?
9 When I made the
cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,
10
And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,
11 And said,
Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be
stayed?
12 ¶ Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and
caused the dayspring to know his place;
13
That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might
be shaken out of it?
14 It is turned
as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.
15 And from the
wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.
16 Hast thou
entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?
17 Have the gates
of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of
death?
18 Hast thou
perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.
19 Where is the way
where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,
20 That thou
shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths
to the house thereof?
21 Knowest thou
it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?
22
Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the
treasures of the hail,
23 Which I have
reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?
24 By what way is
the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?
25 ¶ Who hath divided a watercourse for
the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;
26 To cause it to
rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;
27 To satisfy the
desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb
to spring forth?
28 Hath the rain
a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?
29 Out of whose
womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?
30 The waters are
hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.
31
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of
Orion?
32 Canst thou
bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his
sons?
33 Knowest thou
the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?
34
Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may
cover thee?
35 Canst thou
send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?
36 Who hath put
wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?
37
Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of
heaven,
38 When the dust
groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?
39 Wilt thou hunt
the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,
40 When they
couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?
41 Who provideth
for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander
for lack of meat.
1 ¶ Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock
bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?
2 Canst thou
number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?
3 They bow
themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows.
4 Their young
ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not
unto them.
5
Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the
wild ass?
6 Whose house I
have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.
7 He scorneth the
multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.
8 The range of
the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.
9 Will the
unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?
10 Canst thou
bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys
after thee?
11 Wilt thou
trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?
12 Wilt thou
believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?
13 ¶ Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or
wings and feathers unto the ostrich?
14
Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,
15 And forgetteth
that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.
16 She is
hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in
vain without fear;
17
Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her
understanding.
18 What time she
lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.
19 ¶ Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou
clothed his neck with thunder?
20 Canst thou
make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.
21 He paweth in
the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.
22 He mocketh at
fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.
23
The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.
24 He swalloweth
the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound
of the trumpet.
25 He saith among
the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the
captains, and the shouting.
26 ¶ Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom,
and stretch her wings toward the south?
27 Doth the eagle
mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?
28 She dwelleth and
abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place.
29 From thence
she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.
30
Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is
she.
1 ¶ Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,
2 Shall he that
contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him
answer it.
3
Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
4 Behold, I am
vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
5 Once have I
spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.
6 ¶ Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind,
and said,
7
Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare
thou unto me.
8 Wilt thou also
disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
9 Hast thou an
arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
10
Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with
glory and beauty.
11 Cast abroad
the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.
12 Look on every
one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in
their place.
13 Hide them in
the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.
14 Then will I
also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.
15 ¶ Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he
eateth grass as an ox.
16 Lo now, his
strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
17
He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped
together.
18 His bones are
as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
19 He is the chief
of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.
20 Surely the
mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
21
He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
22 The shady
trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.
23 Behold, he
drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan
into his mouth.
24
He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.
1 ¶ Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his
tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?
2 Canst thou put
an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
3
Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto
thee?
4 Will he make a
covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?
5 Wilt thou play
with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
6 Shall the companions
make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?
7
Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish
spears?
8 Lay thine hand
upon him, remember the battle, do no more.
9 Behold, the
hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?
10 None is so
fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?
11 ¶ Who hath prevented me, that I
should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.
12 I will not
conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion.
13 Who can
discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double
bridle?
14
Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.
15 His scales are
his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.
16 One is so near
to another, that no air can come between them.
17 They are
joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.
18
By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of
the morning.
19 Out of his
mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.
20 Out of his
nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
21 His breath
kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.
22
In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before
him.
23 The flakes of
his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be
moved.
24 His heart is
as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.
25 When he
raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.
26 The sword of
him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.
27 He esteemeth
iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.
28 The arrow
cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble.
29
Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.
30 Sharp stones
are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.
31 He maketh the
deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.
32 He maketh a
path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.
33 Upon earth
there is not his like, who is made without fear.
34
He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of
pride.
1 ¶ Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
2 I know that
thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
3
Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I
uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
4 Hear, I beseech
thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
5 I have heard of
thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
6
Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
7 ¶ And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these
words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled
against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the
thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
8 Therefore take
unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant
Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall
pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in
that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.
9 So Eliphaz the
Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did
according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.
10 ¶ And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he
prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
11 Then came
there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had
been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the
LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every
one an earring of gold.
12 So the LORD
blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen
thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.
13 He had also
seven sons and three daughters.
14 And he called
the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name
of the third, Kerenhappuch.
15 And in all the
land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their
father gave them inheritance among their brethren.
16 After this
lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons,
even four generations.
17 So Job died,
being old and full of days.