Page:Webster's Revision Bible.djvu/439

 31 My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.

Job maketh a solemn protestation of his integrity in several duties.

made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? 2 For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high? 3 Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity? 4 Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps? 5 If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; 6 Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know my integrity. 7 If my step hath turned out of the way, and my heart walked after my eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to my hands; 8 Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out. 9 If my heart hath been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour’s door; 10 Then let my wife grind to another, and let others bow down upon her. 11 For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges. 12 For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all my increase. 13 If I despised the cause of my male or female servant, when they contended with me; 14 What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? 15 Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not 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 myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten of it; 18 (For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother’s womb;) 19 If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; 20 If his loins have not blessed me, and if he hath not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep; 21 If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate: 22 Then let my arm fall from my shoulder blade, and my arm be broken from the bone. 23 For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure. 24 If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; 25 If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gained much; 26 If I have 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 have rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or have lifted up myself when evil found him: 30 Neither have I allowed my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul. 31 If the men of my tent have not said, O that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied. 32 The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller. 33 If I have covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom: 34 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 O that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that my adversary had written a book. 36 Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me. 37 I would declare to him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near to him. 38 If my land crieth against me, or its furrows likewise complain; 39 If I have eaten the fruits of it without money, or have caused its owners to lose their life: 40 Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.

''1 Elihu is angry with Job and his three friends. 6 Because wisdom cometh not from age, he excuseth the boldness of his youth. 11 He reproveth them for not satisfying Job. 16 His zeal to speak.''

o these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. 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 God. 3 Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 4 Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he. 5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled. 6 And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; therefore I was afraid, and dared not 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 inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. 9 Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. 10 Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will show my opinion. 11 Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, while ye searched out what to say. 12 Yea, I attended to you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words: 13 Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man. 14 Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches. 15 They were amazed, they answered no more: they stopped speaking. 16 When I had waited, (for they spoke not, but stood still, and answered no more;) 17 I said, I will answer also my part, I also will show my opinion. 18 For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. 19 Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. 20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer. 21 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles to man. 22 For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.

''1 Elihu offereth himself instead of God, with sincerity and meekness, to reason with Job. 8 He excuseth God from giving man an account of his ways, by''