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Job Says He Has Become a Byword

17 “My spirit is broken, my days are extinguished,
The grave is ready for me.

“Surely there are mockers and mockery with me,
And my eye gazes on their obstinacy and provocation.


“Give me a pledge (guarantee, promise) with Yourself [acknowledge my innocence before my death];
Who is there that will [a]be my guarantor and give security for me?

“But You [Lord] have closed their hearts to understanding,
Therefore You will not exalt them [by giving a verdict against me].

“He who denounces and informs against his friends for a share of the spoil,
The eyes of his children will also languish and fail.


“But He has made me a byword and mockery among the people,
And I have become one in whose face people spit.

“My eye has grown dim (unexpressive) because of grief,
And all my [body’s] members are [wasted away] like a shadow.

“The upright will be [astonished and] appalled at this,
And the innocent will stir himself up against the godless and polluted.

“Nevertheless the righteous will hold to his ways,
And he who has clean hands will grow stronger and stronger.(A)
10 
“But as for all of you, come back again,
Even though I do not find a wise man among you.
11 
“My days are past, my purposes and plans are frustrated and torn apart;
The wishes of my heart [are broken].
12 
“These [thoughts try to] make the night into the day;
‘The light is near,’ they say in the presence of darkness [but they pervert the truth].
13 
“But if I look to Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) as my home,
If I make my bed in the darkness,
14 
If I call out to the pit (grave), ‘You are my father’;
And to the worm [that feeds on decay], ‘You are my mother and my sister [because I will soon be closest to you],’
15 
Where now is my hope?
And who regards or considers or is even concerned about my hope?
16 
“Will my hope go down with me to Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead)?
Shall we go down together in the dust?”

Bildad Speaks of the Wicked

18 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said,


“How long will you hunt for words and continue these speeches?
Do some clear thinking and show understanding and then we can talk.

“Why are we regarded as beasts,
As if [we are] stupid (senseless) in your eyes?

“You who tear yourself apart in anger,
Is the earth to be abandoned for your sake,
Or the rock to be moved out of its place?


“Indeed, the light of the wicked will be put out,
And the flame of his fire will not shine.(B)

“The light will be dark in his tent,
And his lamp beside him will be put out.(C)

“The vigorous stride will be shortened,
And his own counsel and the scheme [in which he trusted] will bring his downfall.

“For the wicked is thrown into a net by his own feet (wickedness),
And he steps on the webbing [of the lattice-covered pit].

“A snare catches him by the heel,
And a trap snaps shut on him.
10 
“A noose is hidden for him on the ground,
And a trap for him on the path.
11 
“Terrors frighten him on every side
And chase at his heels.
12 
“The strength [of the wicked] is famished and weakened,
And disaster is ready at his side [if he stops].
13 
“His skin is devoured by disease;
The firstborn of death [the worst of diseases] consumes his limbs.
14 
“He is torn from his tent which he trusted [for safety],
And he is marched and brought to the king of terrors (death).
15 
“Nothing of his dwells in his tent;
Brimstone (burning sulfur) is scattered over his dwelling [to purify it].
16 
“The roots [of the wicked] are dried up below,
And above, his branch is cut off and withers.
17 
“Memory of him perishes from the earth,
And he has no name on the street.
18 
“He is driven and propelled from light into darkness,
And chased from the inhabited world.
19 
“He has no offspring or prosperity among his people,
Nor any survivor where he sojourned.
20 
“Those in the west are astonished and appalled at his fate,
And those in the east are seized with horror.
21 
“Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked and the ungodly,
And such is the place of him who does not know or recognize or honor God.”

Job Feels Insulted

19 Then Job answered and said,


“How long will you torment and exasperate me
And crush me with words?

“These ten times you have insulted me;
You are not ashamed to wrong me [and harden your hearts against me].

“And if it were true that I have erred,
My error would remain with me [and I would be conscious of it].

“If indeed you [braggarts] vaunt and magnify yourselves over me
And prove my disgrace (humiliation) to me,

Know then that God has wronged me and overthrown me
And has closed His net around me.

Everything Is Against Him


“Behold, I cry out, ‘Violence!’ but I am not heard;
I shout for help, but there is no justice.

“He has walled up my way so that I cannot pass,
And He has set darkness upon my paths.

“He has stripped me of my honor
And removed the crown from my head.
10 
“He breaks me down on every side, and I am gone;
He has uprooted my hope like a tree.
11 
“He has also kindled His wrath [like a fire] against me
And He considers and counts me as one of His adversaries.
12 
“His troops come together
And build up their way and siege works against me
And camp around my tent.

13 
“He has put my brothers far from me,
And my acquaintances are completely estranged from me.
14 
“My relatives have failed [me],
And my intimate friends have forgotten me.
15 
“Those who live [temporarily] in my house and my maids consider me a stranger;
I am a foreigner in their sight.
16 
“I call to my servant, but he does not answer;
I have to implore him with words.
17 
“My breath is repulsive to my wife,
And I am loathsome to my own brothers.
18 
“Even young children despise me;
When I get up, they speak against me.
19 
“All the men of my council hate me;
Those I love have turned against me.
20 
“My bone clings to my skin and to my flesh,
And I have escaped [death] by the skin of my teeth.
21 
“Have pity on me! Have pity on me, O you my friends,
For the hand of God has touched me.
22 
“Why do you persecute me as God does?
Why are you not satisfied with my flesh (anguish)?

Job Says, “My Redeemer Lives”

23 
“Oh, that the words I now speak were written!
Oh, that they were recorded in a scroll!
24 
“That with an iron stylus and [molten] lead
They were engraved in the rock forever!
25 
“For I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives,
And at the last He will take His stand upon the earth.(D)
26 
“Even after my [mortal] skin is destroyed [by death],
Yet from my [immortal] flesh I will see God,
27 
Whom I, even I, will see for myself,
And my eyes will see Him and not another!
My heart faints within me.
28 
“If you say, ‘How shall we [continue to] persecute him?’
And ‘What pretext for a case against him can we find [since we claim the root of these afflictions is found in him]?’
29 
Then beware and be afraid of the sword [of divine vengeance] for yourselves,
For wrathful are the punishments of that sword,
So that you may know there is judgment.”

Footnotes

  1. Job 17:3 Lit strike hands with me.

17 My spirit(A) is broken,
    my days are cut short,(B)
    the grave awaits me.(C)
Surely mockers(D) surround me;(E)
    my eyes must dwell on their hostility.

“Give me, O God, the pledge you demand.(F)
    Who else will put up security(G) for me?(H)
You have closed their minds to understanding;(I)
    therefore you will not let them triumph.
If anyone denounces their friends for reward,(J)
    the eyes of their children will fail.(K)

“God has made me a byword(L) to everyone,(M)
    a man in whose face people spit.(N)
My eyes have grown dim with grief;(O)
    my whole frame is but a shadow.(P)
The upright are appalled at this;
    the innocent are aroused(Q) against the ungodly.
Nevertheless, the righteous(R) will hold to their ways,
    and those with clean hands(S) will grow stronger.(T)

10 “But come on, all of you, try again!
    I will not find a wise man among you.(U)
11 My days have passed,(V) my plans are shattered.
    Yet the desires of my heart(W)
12 turn night into day;(X)
    in the face of the darkness light is near.(Y)
13 If the only home I hope for is the grave,(Z)
    if I spread out my bed(AA) in the realm of darkness,(AB)
14 if I say to corruption,(AC) ‘You are my father,’
    and to the worm,(AD) ‘My mother’ or ‘My sister,’
15 where then is my hope—(AE)
    who can see any hope for me?(AF)
16 Will it go down to the gates of death?(AG)
    Will we descend together into the dust?”(AH)

Bildad

18 Then Bildad the Shuhite(AI) replied:

“When will you end these speeches?(AJ)
    Be sensible, and then we can talk.
Why are we regarded as cattle(AK)
    and considered stupid in your sight?(AL)
You who tear yourself(AM) to pieces in your anger,(AN)
    is the earth to be abandoned for your sake?
    Or must the rocks be moved from their place?(AO)

“The lamp of a wicked man is snuffed out;(AP)
    the flame of his fire stops burning.(AQ)
The light in his tent(AR) becomes dark;(AS)
    the lamp beside him goes out.(AT)
The vigor(AU) of his step is weakened;(AV)
    his own schemes(AW) throw him down.(AX)
His feet thrust him into a net;(AY)
    he wanders into its mesh.
A trap seizes him by the heel;
    a snare(AZ) holds him fast.(BA)
10 A noose(BB) is hidden for him on the ground;
    a trap(BC) lies in his path.(BD)
11 Terrors(BE) startle him on every side(BF)
    and dog(BG) his every step.
12 Calamity(BH) is hungry(BI) for him;
    disaster(BJ) is ready for him when he falls.(BK)
13 It eats away parts of his skin;(BL)
    death’s firstborn devours his limbs.(BM)
14 He is torn from the security of his tent(BN)
    and marched off to the king(BO) of terrors.(BP)
15 Fire resides[a] in his tent;(BQ)
    burning sulfur(BR) is scattered over his dwelling.
16 His roots dry up below(BS)
    and his branches wither above.(BT)
17 The memory of him perishes from the earth;(BU)
    he has no name(BV) in the land.(BW)
18 He is driven from light into the realm of darkness(BX)
    and is banished(BY) from the world.(BZ)
19 He has no offspring(CA) or descendants(CB) among his people,
    no survivor(CC) where once he lived.(CD)
20 People of the west are appalled(CE) at his fate;(CF)
    those of the east are seized with horror.
21 Surely such is the dwelling(CG) of an evil man;(CH)
    such is the place(CI) of one who does not know God.”(CJ)

Job

19 Then Job replied:

“How long will you torment(CK) me
    and crush(CL) me with words?
Ten times(CM) now you have reproached(CN) me;
    shamelessly you attack me.
If it is true that I have gone astray,
    my error(CO) remains my concern alone.
If indeed you would exalt yourselves above me(CP)
    and use my humiliation against me,
then know that God has wronged me(CQ)
    and drawn his net(CR) around me.(CS)

“Though I cry, ‘Violence!’ I get no response;(CT)
    though I call for help,(CU) there is no justice.(CV)
He has blocked my way so I cannot pass;(CW)
    he has shrouded my paths in darkness.(CX)
He has stripped(CY) me of my honor(CZ)
    and removed the crown from my head.(DA)
10 He tears me down(DB) on every side till I am gone;
    he uproots my hope(DC) like a tree.(DD)
11 His anger(DE) burns against me;
    he counts me among his enemies.(DF)
12 His troops advance in force;(DG)
    they build a siege ramp(DH) against me
    and encamp around my tent.(DI)

13 “He has alienated my family(DJ) from me;
    my acquaintances are completely estranged from me.(DK)
14 My relatives have gone away;
    my closest friends(DL) have forgotten me.
15 My guests(DM) and my female servants(DN) count me a foreigner;
    they look on me as on a stranger.
16 I summon my servant, but he does not answer,
    though I beg him with my own mouth.
17 My breath is offensive to my wife;
    I am loathsome(DO) to my own family.
18 Even the little boys(DP) scorn me;
    when I appear, they ridicule me.(DQ)
19 All my intimate friends(DR) detest me;(DS)
    those I love have turned against me.(DT)
20 I am nothing but skin and bones;(DU)
    I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth.[b]

21 “Have pity on me, my friends,(DV) have pity,
    for the hand of God has struck(DW) me.
22 Why do you pursue(DX) me as God does?(DY)
    Will you never get enough of my flesh?(DZ)

23 “Oh, that my words were recorded,
    that they were written on a scroll,(EA)
24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool(EB) on[c] lead,
    or engraved in rock forever!(EC)
25 I know that my redeemer[d](ED) lives,(EE)
    and that in the end he will stand on the earth.[e]
26 And after my skin has been destroyed,
    yet[f] in[g] my flesh I will see God;(EF)
27 I myself will see him
    with my own eyes(EG)—I, and not another.
    How my heart yearns(EH) within me!

28 “If you say, ‘How we will hound(EI) him,
    since the root of the trouble lies in him,[h]
29 you should fear the sword yourselves;
    for wrath will bring punishment by the sword,(EJ)
    and then you will know that there is judgment.[i](EK)

Footnotes

  1. Job 18:15 Or Nothing he had remains
  2. Job 19:20 Or only by my gums
  3. Job 19:24 Or and
  4. Job 19:25 Or vindicator
  5. Job 19:25 Or on my grave
  6. Job 19:26 Or And after I awake, / though this body has been destroyed, / then
  7. Job 19:26 Or destroyed, / apart from
  8. Job 19:28 Many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts me
  9. Job 19:29 Or sword, / that you may come to know the Almighty

Cornelius’ Vision

10 Now at [a]Caesarea [Maritima] there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the [b]Italian Regiment, a devout man and one who, along with all his household, feared God. He made many charitable donations to the Jewish people, and prayed to God always. About the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.) of the day he clearly saw in a vision an angel of God who had come to him and said, “Cornelius!” Cornelius was frightened and stared intently at him and said, “What is it, lord (sir)?” And the angel said to him, “Your prayers and gifts of charity have ascended as a memorial offering before God [an offering made in remembrance of His past blessings]. Now send men to [c]Joppa and have them call for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter [and invite him here]; he is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” When the angel who was speaking to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among his own personal attendants; and after explaining everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

The next day, as they were on their way and were approaching the city, Peter went up on [d]the roof of the house about the sixth hour (noon) to pray, 10 but he became hungry and wanted something to eat. While [e]the meal was being prepared he fell into a trance; 11 and he saw the sky opened up, and an [f]object like a great sheet descending, lowered by its four corners to the earth, 12 and it contained all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air. 13 A voice came to him, “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!” 14 But Peter said, “Not at all, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common (unholy) and [ceremonially] unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him a second time, “What God has cleansed and pronounced clean, no longer consider common (unholy).” 16 This happened three times, and then immediately the object was taken up into heaven.

17 Now Peter was still perplexed and completely at a loss as to what his vision could mean when the men who had been sent by Cornelius, having asked directions to Simon’s house, arrived at the gate. 18 And they called out to ask whether Simon, who was also called Peter, was staying there. 19 While Peter was thoughtfully considering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Now listen, three men are looking for you. 20 Get up, go downstairs and go with them without hesitating or doubting, because I have sent them Myself.” 21 Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. For what reason have you come?” 22 They said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man well spoken of by all the Jewish people, was divinely instructed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear what you have to say.” 23 So Peter [g]invited them in and gave them lodging [for the night].

Peter at Caesarea

The next day Peter got up and left with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa went with him.

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 10:1 See note 8:40.
  2. Acts 10:1 A regiment consisted of about six hundred men, the tenth part of a legion.
  3. Acts 10:5 About twenty-four miles south of Caesarea.
  4. Acts 10:9 The flat roof of a house of this era was accessed by an outside stairway.
  5. Acts 10:10 Lit they were preparing.
  6. Acts 10:11 Or vessel.
  7. Acts 10:23 It was extremely unusual for a Jew to invite a Gentile into the house, much less offer lodging.

Cornelius Calls for Peter

10 At Caesarea(A) there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing;(B) he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon(C) he had a vision.(D) He distinctly saw an angel(E) of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!”

Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked.

The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering(F) before God.(G) Now send men to Joppa(H) to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. He is staying with Simon the tanner,(I) whose house is by the sea.”

When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.(J)

Peter’s Vision(K)

About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof(L) to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.(M) 11 He saw heaven opened(N) and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12 It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13 Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

14 “Surely not, Lord!”(O) Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”(P)

15 The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”(Q)

16 This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision,(R) the men sent by Cornelius(S) found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. 18 They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision,(T) the Spirit said(U) to him, “Simon, three[a] men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”(V)

21 Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”

22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man,(W) who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”(X) 23 Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.

Peter at Cornelius’s House

The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers(Y) from Joppa went along.(Z)

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Footnotes

  1. Acts 10:19 One early manuscript two; other manuscripts do not have the number.