A Protest of Innocence 27:1 And Job took up his discourse again: 27:2 “As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made my life bitter – 27:3 for while my spirit is still in me, and the breath from God is in my nostrils, 27:4 my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will whisper
III. Job’s Search for Wisdom (28:1-28) No Known Road to Wisdom 28:1 “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. 28:2 Iron is taken from the ground, and rock is poured out as copper. 28:3 Man puts an end to the darkness; he searches the farthest recesses for the ore in the deepest darkness. 28:4 Far from where
IV. Job’s Concluding Soliloquy (29:1-31:40) Job Recalls His Former Condition 29:1 Then Job continued his speech: 29:2 “O that I could be as I was in the months now gone, in the days when God watched over me, 29:3 when he caused his lamp to shine upon my head, and by his light I walked through darkness; 29:4 just as I was in my most
Job’s Present Misery 30:1 “But now they mock me, those who are younger than I, whose fathers I disdained too much to put with my sheep dogs. 30:2 Moreover, the strength of their hands – what use was it to me? Men whose strength had perished; 30:3 gaunt with want and hunger, they would gnaw the parched land, in former time desolate and waste. 30:4
Job Vindicates Himself 31:1 “I made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I entertain thoughts against a virgin? 31:2 What then would be one’s lot from God above, one’s heritage from the Almighty on high? 31:3 Is it not misfortune for the unjust, and disaster for those who work iniquity? 31:4 Does he not see my ways and count all my
V. The Speeches of Elihu (32:1-37:24) Elihu’s First Speech 32:1 So these three men refused to answer Job further, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 32:2 Then Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, became very angry. He was angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God. 32:3 With Job’s
Elihu Invites Job’s Attention 33:1 “But now, O Job, listen to my words, and hear everything I have to say! 33:2 See now, I have opened my mouth; my tongue in my mouth has spoken. 33:3 My words come from the uprightness of my heart, and my lips will utter knowledge sincerely. 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath
Elihu’s Second Speech 34:1 Elihu answered: 34:2 “Listen to my words, you wise men; hear me, you learned men. 34:3 For the ear assesses words as the mouth tastes food. 34:4 Let us evaluate for ourselves what is right; let us come to know among ourselves what is good. 34:5 For Job says, ‘I am innocent, but God turns away my right. 34:6 Concerning my
Elihu’s Third Speech 35:1 Then Elihu answered: 35:2 “Do you think this to be just: when you say, ‘My right before God.’ 35:3 But you say, ‘What will it profit you,’ and, ‘What do I gain by not sinning?’ 35:4 I will reply to you, and to your friends with you. 35:5 Gaze at the heavens and see; consider the clouds, which are higher
Elihu’s Fourth Speech 36:1 Elihu said further: 36:2 “Be patient with me a little longer and I will instruct you, for I still have words to speak on God’s behalf. 36:3 With my knowledge I will speak comprehensively, and to my Creator I will ascribe righteousness. 36:4 For in truth, my words are not false; it is one complete in knowledge who is with