World English Bible

1 Job again took up his parable, and said,

2 “Oh that I were as in the months of old,

as in the days when God watched over me;

3 when his lamp shone on my head,

and by his light I walked through darkness,

4 as I was in the ripeness of my days,

when the friendship of God was in my tent,

5 when the Almighty was yet with me,

and my children were around me,

6 when my steps were washed with butter,

and the rock poured out streams of oil for me,

7 when I went out to the city gate,

when I prepared my seat in the street.

8 The young men saw me and hid themselves.

The aged rose up and stood.

9 The princes refrained from talking,

and laid their hand on their mouth.

10 The voice of the nobles was hushed,

and their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth.

11 For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me;

and when the eye saw me, it commended me:

12 Because I delivered the poor who cried,

and the fatherless also, who had no one to help him,

13 the blessing of him who was ready to perish came on me,

and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.

14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me.

My justice was as a robe and a diadem.

15 I was eyes to the blind,

and feet to the lame.

16 I was a father to the needy.

The cause of him who I didn’t know, I searched out.

17 I broke the jaws of the unrighteous,

and plucked the prey out of his teeth.

18 Then I said, ‘I shall die in my own house,

I shall count my days as the sand.

19 My root is spread out to the waters.

The dew lies all night on my branch.

20 My glory is fresh in me.

My bow is renewed in my hand.’

21 “Men listened to me, waited,

and kept silence for my counsel.

22 After my words they didn’t speak again.

My speech fell on them.

23 They waited for me as for the rain.

Their mouths drank as with the spring rain.

24 I smiled on them when they had no confidence.

They didn’t reject the light of my face.

25 I chose out their way, and sat as chief.

I lived as a king in the army,

as one who comforts the mourners.

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/9/32k/JOB/29-778a22c7c514421b3aaf060b69b1013e.mp3?version_id=206—

1 “But now those who are younger than I have me in derision,

whose fathers I would have disdained to put with my sheep dogs.

2 Of what use is the strength of their hands to me,

men in whom ripe age has perished?

3 They are gaunt from lack and famine.

They gnaw the dry ground, in the gloom of waste and desolation.

4 They pluck salt herbs by the bushes.

The roots of the broom are their food.

5 They are driven out from among men.

They cry after them as after a thief;

6 So that they dwell in frightful valleys,

and in holes of the earth and of the rocks.

7 Among the bushes they bray;

and under the nettles they are gathered together.

8 They are children of fools, yes, children of base men.

They were flogged out of the land.

9 “Now I have become their song.

Yes, I am a byword to them.

10 They abhor me, they stand aloof from me,

and don’t hesitate to spit in my face.

11 For he has untied his cord, and afflicted me;

and they have thrown off restraint before me.

12 On my right hand rise the rabble.

They thrust aside my feet,

They cast up against me their ways of destruction.

13 They mar my path,

They set forward my calamity,

without anyone’s help.

14 As through a wide breach they come,

in the middle of the ruin they roll themselves in.

15 Terrors have turned on me.

They chase my honor as the wind.

My welfare has passed away as a cloud.

16 “Now my soul is poured out within me.

Days of affliction have taken hold on me.

17 In the night season my bones are pierced in me,

and the pains that gnaw me take no rest.

18 By great force is my garment disfigured.

It binds me about as the collar of my coat.

19 He has cast me into the mire.

I have become like dust and ashes.

20 I cry to you, and you do not answer me.

I stand up, and you gaze at me.

21 You have turned to be cruel to me.

With the might of your hand you persecute me.

22 You lift me up to the wind, and drive me with it.

You dissolve me in the storm.

23 For I know that you will bring me to death,

To the house appointed for all living.

24 “However doesn’t one stretch out a hand in his fall?

Or in his calamity therefore cry for help?

25 Didn’t I weep for him who was in trouble?

Wasn’t my soul grieved for the needy?

26 When I looked for good, then evil came;

When I waited for light, there came darkness.

27 My heart is troubled, and doesn’t rest.

Days of affliction have come on me.

28 I go mourning without the sun.

I stand up in the assembly, and cry for help.

29 I am a brother to jackals,

and a companion to ostriches.

30 My skin grows black and peels from me.

My bones are burned with heat.

31 Therefore my harp has turned to mourning,

and my pipe into the voice of those who weep.

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/9/32k/JOB/30-d05651edf4d7a394c203c591be9f1c94.mp3?version_id=206—

1 “I made a covenant with my eyes,

how then should I look lustfully at a young woman?

2 For what is the portion from God above,

and the heritage from the Almighty on high?

3 Is it not calamity to the unrighteous,

and disaster to the workers of iniquity?

4 Doesn’t he see my ways,

and count all my steps?

5 “If I have walked with falsehood,

and my foot has hurried to deceit

6 (let me be weighed in an even balance,

that God may know my integrity);

7 if my step has turned out of the way,

if my heart walked after my eyes,

if any defilement has stuck to my hands,

8 then let me sow, and let another eat.

Yes, let the produce of my field be rooted out.

9 “If my heart has been enticed to a woman,

and I have laid wait at my neighbor’s door,

10 then let my wife grind for another,

and let others sleep with her.

11 For that would be a heinous crime.

Yes, it would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges:

12 For it is a fire that consumes to destruction,

and would root out all my increase.

13 “If I have despised the cause of my male servant

or of my female servant,

when they contended with me;

14 What then shall I do when God rises up?

When he visits, what shall I answer him?

15 Didn’t he who made me in the womb make him?

Didn’t one fashion us in the womb?

16 “If I have withheld the poor from their desire,

or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,

17 or have eaten my morsel alone,

and the fatherless has not eaten of it

18 (no, from my youth he grew up with me as with a father,

her I have guided from my mother’s womb);

19 if I have seen any perish for want of clothing,

or that the needy had no covering;

20 if his heart hasn’t blessed me,

if he hasn’t been warmed with my sheep’s fleece;

21 if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless,

because I saw my help in the gate,

22 then let my shoulder fall from the shoulder blade,

and my arm be broken from the bone.

23 For calamity from God is a terror to me.

Because his majesty, I can do nothing.

24 “If I have made gold my hope,

and have said to the fine gold, ‘You are my confidence;’

25 If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great,

and because my hand had gotten much;

26 if I have seen the sun when it shined,

or the moon moving in splendor,

27 and my heart has been secretly enticed,

and my hand threw a kiss from my mouth,

28 this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges;

for I should have denied the God who is above.

29 “If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me,

or lifted up myself when evil found him

30 (yes, I have not allowed my mouth to sin

by asking his life with a curse);

31 if the men of my tent have not said,

‘Who can find one who has not been filled with his meat?’

32 (the foreigner has not camped in the street,

but I have opened my doors to the traveler);

33 if like Adam I have covered my transgressions,

by hiding my iniquity in my heart,

34 because I feared the great multitude,

and the contempt of families terrified me,

so that I kept silence, and didn’t go out of the door—

35 oh that I had one to hear me!

Behold, here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!

Let the accuser write my indictment!

36 Surely I would carry it on my shoulder;

and I would bind it to me as a crown.

37 I would declare to him the number of my steps.

as a prince would I go near to him.

38 If my land cries out against me,

and its furrows weep together;

39 if I have eaten its fruits without money,

or have caused its owners to lose their life,

40 let briers grow instead of wheat,

and stinkweed instead of barley.”

The words of Job are ended.

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/9/32k/JOB/31-36dce2da3fb57e7a49f3fae69921e375.mp3?version_id=206—

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

2 Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.

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

4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were elder than he.

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

6 Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered,

“I am young, and you are very old;

Therefore I held back, and didn’t dare show you my opinion.

7 I said, ‘Days should speak,

and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’

8 But there is a spirit in man,

and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.

9 It is not the great who are wise,

nor the aged who understand justice.

10 Therefore I said, ‘Listen to me;

I also will show my opinion.’

11 “Behold, I waited for your words,

and I listened for your reasoning,

while you searched out what to say.

12 Yes, I gave you my full attention,

but there was no one who convinced Job,

or who answered his words, among you.

13 Beware lest you say, ‘We have found wisdom,

God may refute him, not man;’

14 for he has not directed his words against me;

neither will I answer him with your speeches.

15 “They are amazed. They answer no more.

They don’t have a word to say.

16 Shall I wait, because they don’t speak,

because they stand still, and answer no more?

17 I also will answer my part,

and I also will show my opinion.

18 For I am full of words.

The spirit within me constrains me.

19 Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent;

like new wineskins it is ready to burst.

20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed.

I will open my lips and answer.

21 Please don’t let me respect any man’s person,

neither will I give flattering titles to any man.

22 For I don’t know how to give flattering titles;

or else my Maker would soon take me away.

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/9/32k/JOB/32-5ae5e41c1c15c1240ffc075b53ceade2.mp3?version_id=206—

1 “However, Job, please hear my speech,

and listen to all my words.

2 See now, I have opened my mouth.

My tongue has spoken in my mouth.

3 My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart.

That which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.

4 The Spirit of God has made me,

and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

5 If you can, answer me.

Set your words in order before me, and stand up.

6 Behold, I am toward God even as you are.

I am also formed out of the clay.

7 Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid,

neither shall my pressure be heavy on you.

8 “Surely you have spoken in my hearing,

I have heard the voice of your words, saying,

9 ‘I am clean, without disobedience.

I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.

10 Behold, he finds occasions against me.

He counts me for his enemy.

11 He puts my feet in the stocks.

He marks all my paths.’

12 “Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just,

for God is greater than man.

13 Why do you strive against him,

because he doesn’t give account of any of his matters?

14 For God speaks once,

yes twice, though man pays no attention.

15 In a dream, in a vision of the night,

when deep sleep falls on men,

in slumbering on the bed;

16 Then he opens the ears of men,

and seals their instruction,

17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose,

and hide pride from man.

18 He keeps back his soul from the pit,

and his life from perishing by the sword.

19 He is chastened also with pain on his bed,

with continual strife in his bones;

20 So that his life abhors bread,

and his soul dainty food.

21 His flesh is so consumed away, that it can’t be seen.

His bones that were not seen stick out.

22 Yes, his soul draws near to the pit,

and his life to the destroyers.

23 “If there is beside him an angel,

an interpreter, one among a thousand,

to show to man what is right for him;

24 then God is gracious to him, and says,

‘Deliver him from going down to the pit,

I have found a ransom.’

25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s.

He returns to the days of his youth.

26 He prays to God, and he is favorable to him,

so that he sees his face with joy.

He restores to man his righteousness.

27 He sings before men, and says,

‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right,

and it didn’t profit me.

28 He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit.

My life shall see the light.’

29 “Behold, God does all these things,

twice, yes three times, with a man,

30 to bring back his soul from the pit,

that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.

31 Mark well, Job, and listen to me.

Hold your peace, and I will speak.

32 If you have anything to say, answer me.

Speak, for I desire to justify you.

33 If not, listen to me.

Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/9/32k/JOB/33-fc1259e3eb0f3a6936ced960e8573363.mp3?version_id=206—

1 Moreover Elihu answered,

2 “Hear my words, you wise men.

Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.

3 For the ear tries words,

as the palate tastes food.

4 Let us choose for us that which is right.

Let us know among ourselves what is good.

5 For Job has said, ‘I am righteous,

God has taken away my right:

6 Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar.

My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.’

7 What man is like Job,

who drinks scorn like water,

8 Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity,

and walks with wicked men?

9 For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing

that he should delight himself with God.’

10 “Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding:

far be it from God, that he should do wickedness,

from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

11 For the work of a man he will render to him,

and cause every man to find according to his ways.

12 Yes surely, God will not do wickedly,

neither will the Almighty pervert justice.

13 Who put him in charge of the earth?

or who has appointed him over the whole world?

14 If he set his heart on himself,

If he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,

15 all flesh would perish together,

and man would turn again to dust.

16 “If now you have understanding, hear this.

Listen to the voice of my words.

17 Shall even one who hates justice govern?

Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?—

18 Who says to a king, ‘Vile!’

or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’?

19 Who doesn’t respect the persons of princes,

nor respects the rich more than the poor;

for they all are the work of his hands.

20 In a moment they die, even at midnight.

The people are shaken and pass away.

The mighty are taken away without a hand.

21 “For his eyes are on the ways of a man.

He sees all his goings.

22 There is no darkness, nor thick gloom,

where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

23 For he doesn’t need to consider a man further,

that he should go before God in judgment.

24 He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out,

and sets others in their place.

25 Therefore he takes knowledge of their works.

He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

26 He strikes them as wicked men

in the open sight of others;

27 because they turned aside from following him,

and wouldn’t pay attention to any of his ways,

28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him.

He heard the cry of the afflicted.

29 When he gives quietness, who then can condemn?

When he hides his face, who then can see him?

Alike whether to a nation, or to a man,

30 that the godless man may not reign,

that there be no one to ensnare the people.

31 “For has any said to God,

‘I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.

32 Teach me that which I don’t see.

If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?

33 Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it?

For you must choose, and not I.

Therefore speak what you know.

34 Men of understanding will tell me,

yes, every wise man who hears me:

35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge.

His words are without wisdom.’

36 I wish that Job were tried to the end,

because of his answering like wicked men.

37 For he adds rebellion to his sin.

He claps his hands among us,

and multiplies his words against God.”

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/9/32k/JOB/34-a0df3523deba7244d24bd33a485e748d.mp3?version_id=206—

1 Moreover Elihu answered,

2 “Do you think this to be your right,

or do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s,’

3 That you ask, ‘What advantage will it be to you?

What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?’

4 I will answer you,

and your companions with you.

5 Look to the heavens, and see.

See the skies, which are higher than you.

6 If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him?

If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?

7 If you are righteous, what do you give him?

Or what does he receive from your hand?

8 Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are,

and your righteousness may profit a son of man.

9 “By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out.

They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.

10 But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker,

who gives songs in the night,

11 who teaches us more than the animals of the earth,

and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?’

12 There they cry, but no one gives answer,

because of the pride of evil men.

13 Surely God will not hear an empty cry,

neither will the Almighty regard it.

14 How much less when you say you don’t see him.

The cause is before him, and you wait for him!

15 But now, because he has not visited in his anger,

neither does he greatly regard arrogance.

16 Therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk,

and he multiplies words without knowledge.”

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/9/32k/JOB/35-5e09c6ded8fc7a8af6d17a9a51f206e6.mp3?version_id=206—

1 Elihu also continued, and said,

2 “Bear with me a little, and I will show you;

for I still have something to say on God’s behalf.

3 I will get my knowledge from afar,

and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

4 For truly my words are not false.

One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

5 “Behold, God is mighty, and doesn’t despise anyone.

He is mighty in strength of understanding.

6 He doesn’t preserve the life of the wicked,

but gives to the afflicted their right.

7 He doesn’t withdraw his eyes from the righteous,

but with kings on the throne,

he sets them forever, and they are exalted.

8 If they are bound in fetters,

and are taken in the cords of afflictions,

9 then he shows them their work,

and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.

10 He also opens their ears to instruction,

and commands that they return from iniquity.

11 If they listen and serve him,

they shall spend their days in prosperity,

and their years in pleasures.

12 But if they don’t listen, they shall perish by the sword;

they shall die without knowledge.

13 “But those who are godless in heart lay up anger.

They don’t cry for help when he binds them.

14 They die in youth.

Their life perishes among the unclean.

15 He delivers the afflicted by their affliction,

and opens their ear in oppression.

16 Yes, he would have allured you out of distress,

into a wide place, where there is no restriction.

That which is set on your table would be full of fatness.

17 “But you are full of the judgment of the wicked.

Judgment and justice take hold of you.

18 Don’t let riches entice you to wrath,

neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.

19 Would your wealth sustain you in distress,

or all the might of your strength?

20 Don’t desire the night,

when people are cut off in their place.

21 Take heed, don’t regard iniquity;

for you have chosen this rather than affliction.

22 Behold, God is exalted in his power.

Who is a teacher like him?

23 Who has prescribed his way for him?

Or who can say, ‘You have committed unrighteousness?’

24 “Remember that you magnify his work,

whereof men have sung.

25 All men have looked on it.

Man sees it afar off.

26 Behold, God is great, and we don’t know him.

The number of his years is unsearchable.

27 For he draws up the drops of water,

which distill in rain from his vapor,

28 Which the skies pour down

and which drop on man abundantly.

29 Yes, can any understand the spreading of the clouds,

and the thunderings of his pavilion?

30 Behold, he spreads his light around him.

He covers the bottom of the sea.

31 For by these he judges the people.

He gives food in abundance.

32 He covers his hands with the lightning,

and commands it to strike the mark.

33 Its noise tells about him,

and the livestock also concerning the storm that comes up.

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/9/32k/JOB/36-4401f2a8dbc31aa82b9c28013551d8c7.mp3?version_id=206—

1 “Yes, at this my heart trembles,

and is moved out of its place.

2 Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice,

the sound that goes out of his mouth.

3 He sends it out under the whole sky,

and his lightning to the ends of the earth.

4 After it a voice roars.

He thunders with the voice of his majesty.

He doesn’t hold back anything when his voice is heard.

5 God thunders marvelously with his voice.

He does great things, which we can’t comprehend.

6 For he says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth;’

likewise to the shower of rain,

and to the showers of his mighty rain.

7 He seals up the hand of every man,

that all men whom he has made may know it.

8 Then the animals take cover,

and remain in their dens.

9 Out of its room comes the storm,

and cold out of the north.

10 By the breath of God, ice is given,

and the width of the waters is frozen.

11 Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture.

He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning.

12 It is turned around by his guidance,

that they may do whatever he commands them

on the surface of the habitable world,

13 Whether it is for correction, or for his land,

or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come.

14 “Listen to this, Job.

Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

15 Do you know how God controls them,

and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine?

16 Do you know the workings of the clouds,

the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?

17 You whose clothing is warm,

when the earth is still by reason of the south wind?

18 Can you, with him, spread out the sky,

which is strong as a cast metal mirror?

19 Teach us what we shall tell him,

for we can’t make our case by reason of darkness.

20 Will it be told him that I would speak?

Or should a man wish that he were swallowed up?

21 Now men don’t see the light which is bright in the skies,

but the wind passes, and clears them.

22 Out of the north comes golden splendor.

With God is awesome majesty.

23 We can’t reach the Almighty.

He is exalted in power.

In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.

24 Therefore men revere him.

He doesn’t regard any who are wise of heart.”

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/9/32k/JOB/37-acad16f1e31400b0ea19ee71f954259a.mp3?version_id=206—

1 Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind,

2 “Who is this who darkens counsel

by words without knowledge?

3 Brace yourself like a man,

for I will question you, then you answer me!

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?

Declare, if you have understanding.

5 Who determined its measures, if you know?

Or who stretched the line on it?

6 Whereupon were its foundations fastened?

Or who laid its cornerstone,

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 broke out of the womb,

9 when I made clouds its garment,

and wrapped it in thick darkness,

10 marked out for it my bound,

set bars and doors,

11 and said, ‘Here you may come, but no further.

Here your proud waves shall be stayed?’

12 “Have you commanded the morning in your days,

and caused the dawn to know its place;

13 that it might take hold of the ends of the earth,

and shake the wicked out of it?

14 It is changed as clay under the seal,

and presented as a garment.

15 From the wicked, their light is withheld.

The high arm is broken.

16 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea?

Or have you walked in the recesses of the deep?

17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you?

Or have you seen the gates of the shadow of death?

18 Have you comprehended the earth in its width?

Declare, if you know it all.

19 “What is the way to the dwelling of light?

As for darkness, where is its place,

20 that you should take it to its bound,

that you should discern the paths to its house?

21 Surely you know, for you were born then,

and the number of your days is great!

22 Have you entered the treasuries of the snow,

or have you 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 lightning distributed,

or the east wind scattered on the earth?

25 Who has cut a channel for the flood water,

or the path for the thunderstorm;

26 To cause it to rain on a land where no man is;

on the wilderness, in which there is no man;

27 to satisfy the waste and desolate ground,

to cause the tender grass to grow?

28 Does the rain have a father?

Or who fathers the drops of dew?

29 Out of whose womb came the ice?

The gray frost of the sky, who has given birth to it?

30 The waters become hard like stone,

when the surface of the deep is frozen.

31 “Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades,

or loosen the cords of Orion?

32 Can you lead the constellations out in their season?

Or can you guide the Bear with her cubs?

33 Do you know the laws of the heavens?

Can you establish its dominion over the earth?

34 “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,

That abundance of waters may cover you?

35 Can you send out lightnings, that they may go?

Do they report to you, ‘Here we are?’

36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts?

Or who has given understanding to the mind?

37 Who can count the clouds by wisdom?

Or who can pour out the bottles of the sky,

38 when the dust runs into a mass,

and the clods of earth stick together?

39 “Can you hunt the prey for the lioness,

or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,

40 when they crouch in their dens,

and lie in wait in the thicket?

41 Who provides for the raven his prey,

when his young ones cry to God,

and wander for lack of food?

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/9/32k/JOB/38-78d82463451ea5a9971fd361b32f9101.mp3?version_id=206—