⁸ And he went into the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, persuading and arguing and pleading about the kingdom of God.

⁹ But when some became more and more stubborn (hardened and unbelieving), discrediting and reviling and speaking evil of the Way [of the Lord] before the congregation, he separated himself from them, taking the disciples with him, and went on holding daily discussions in the lecture room of Tyrannus from about ten o’clock till three.

¹⁰ This continued for two years, so that all the inhabitants of [the province of] Asia, Jews as well as Greeks, heard the Word of the Lord [concerning the ^[a]attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God].

¹¹ And God did unusual and extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul,

¹² So that handkerchiefs or towels or aprons which had touched his skin were carried away and put upon the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.

¹³ Then some of the traveling Jewish exorcists (men who adjure evil spirits) also undertook to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, I solemnly implore and charge you by the Jesus Whom Paul preaches!

¹⁴ Seven sons of a certain Jewish chief priest named Sceva were doing this.

¹⁵ But [one] evil spirit retorted, Jesus I know, and Paul I know ^[b]about, but who are you?

¹⁶ Then the man in whom the evil spirit dwelt leaped upon them, mastering ^[c]two of them, and was so violent against them that they dashed out of that house [in fear], stripped naked and wounded.

¹⁷ This became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks, and alarm and terror fell upon them all; and the name of the Lord Jesus was extolled and magnified.

¹⁸ Many also of those who were now believers came making ^[d]full confession and thoroughly exposing their [former deceptive and evil] practices.

¹⁹ And many of those who had practiced curious, magical arts collected their books and [throwing them, ^[e]book after book, on the pile] burned them in the sight of everybody. When they counted the value of them, they found it amounted to 50,000 pieces of silver (^[f]about $9,300).

²⁰ Thus the Word of the Lord [concerning the ^[g]attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] grew and spread and intensified, prevailing mightily.

²¹ Now after these events Paul determined in the [Holy] Spirit that he would travel through Macedonia and Achaia (most of Greece) and go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must visit Rome also.

²² And having sent two of his assistants, Timothy and Erastus, into Macedonia, he himself stayed on in [the province of] Asia for a while.

²³ But as time went on, there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way [of the Lord].

²⁴ For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of [the goddess] Artemis ^[h][Diana], brought no small income to his craftsmen.

²⁵ These he called together, along with the workmen of similar trades, and said, Men, you are acquainted with the facts and understand that from this business we derive our wealth and livelihood.

²⁶ Now you notice and hear that not only at Ephesus but almost all over [the province of] Asia this Paul has persuaded and induced people to believe his teaching and has alienated a considerable company of them, saying that gods that are made with human hands are not really gods at all.

²⁷ Now there is danger not merely that this trade of ours may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may come into disrepute and count for nothing, and that her glorious magnificence may be degraded and fall into contempt—she whom all [the province of] Asia and the wide world worship.

²⁸ As they listened to this, they were filled with rage and they continued to shout, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!

²⁹ Then the city was filled with confusion; and they rushed together into the amphitheater, dragging along with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians who were fellow travelers with Paul.

³⁰ Paul wished to go in among the crowd, but the disciples would not permit him to do it.

³¹ Even some of the Asiarchs (political or religious officials in Asia) who were his friends also sent to him and warned him not to risk venturing into the theater.

³² Now some shouted one thing and some another, for the gathering was in a tumult and most of them did not know why they had come together.

³³ Some of the crowd called upon Alexander [to speak], since the Jews had pushed and urged him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, wishing to make a defense and [planning] to apologize to the people.

³⁴ But as soon as they saw him and recognized that he was a Jew, a shout went up from them as the voice of one man, as for about two hours they cried, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!

³⁵ And when the town clerk had calmed the crowd down, he said, Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of the sacred stone [image of her] that fell from the sky?

³⁶ Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet (keep yourselves in check) and do nothing rashly.

³⁷ For you have brought these men here, who are [guilty of] neither temple robberies nor blasphemous speech about our goddess.

³⁸ Now then, if Demetrius and his fellow tradesmen who are with him have a grievance against anyone, the courts are open and proconsuls are [available]; let them bring charges against one another [legally].

³⁹ But if you require anything further about this or about other matters, it must be decided and cleared up in the regular assembly.

⁴⁰ For we are in danger of being called to render an account and of being accused of rioting because of [this commotion] today, there being no reason that we can offer to justify this disorder.

⁴¹ And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

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15 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered [Job],

² Should a wise man utter such windy knowledge [as we have just heard] and fill himself with the east wind [of withering, parching, and violent accusations]?

³ Should he reason with unprofitable talk? Or with speeches with which he can do no good?

⁴ Indeed, you are doing away with [reverential] fear, and you are hindering and diminishing meditation and devotion before God.

⁵ For your iniquity teaches your mouth, and you choose the tongue of the crafty.

⁶ Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; yes, your own lips testify against you.

⁷ Are you the first man that was born [the original wise man]? Or were you created before the hills?

⁸ Were you present to hear the secret counsel of God? And do you limit [the possession of] wisdom to yourself?

⁹ What do you know that we know not? What do you understand that is not equally clear to us?

¹⁰ Among us are both the gray-haired and the aged, older than your father by far.

¹¹ Are God’s consolations [as we have interpreted them to you] too trivial for you? Is there any secret thing (any bosom sin) which you have not given up? [Or] were we too gentle [in our first speech] toward you to be effective?

¹² Why does your heart carry you away [why allow yourself to be controlled by feeling]? And why do your eyes flash [in anger or contempt],

¹³ That you turn your spirit against God and let [such] words [as you have spoken] go out of your mouth?

¹⁴ What is man, that he could be pure and clean? And he who is born of a woman, that he could be right and just?

¹⁵ Behold, [God] puts no trust in His holy ones [the angels]; indeed, the heavens are not clean in His sight—

¹⁶ How much less that which is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks iniquity like water?

¹⁷ I will show you, hear me; and that which I have seen I will relate,

¹⁸ What wise men have not hid but have freely communicated; it was told to them by their fathers,

¹⁹ Unto whom alone the land was given, and no stranger intruded or passed among them [corrupting the truth].

²⁰ The wicked man suffers with [self-inflicted] torment all his days, through all the years that are numbered and laid up for him, the oppressor.

²¹ A [dreadful] sound of terrors is in his ears; in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him [the dwellings of robbers are not at peace].

²² He believes that he will not return out of darkness, and [because of his guilt] he is waited for by the sword [of God’s vengeance].

²³ He wanders abroad for food, saying, Where is it? He knows that the day of darkness and destruction is already close upon him.

²⁴ Distress and anguish terrify him; [he knows] they shall prevail against him, like a king ready for battle.

²⁵ Because he has stretched out his hand against God and bids defiance and behaves himself proudly against the Almighty,

²⁶ Running stubbornly against Him with a thickly ornamented shield;

²⁷ Because he has covered his face with his fat, adding layers of fat on his loins [giving himself up to animal pleasures],

²⁸ And has lived in desolate [God-forsaken] cities and in houses which no man should inhabit, which were destined to become heaps [of ruins];

²⁹ He shall not be rich, neither shall his wealth last, neither shall his produce bend to the earth nor his possessions be extended on the earth.

³⁰ He shall not depart out of darkness [and escape from calamity; the wrath of God] shall consume him as flame consumes a dry tree, and by the blast of His mouth he shall be swept away.

³¹ Let him not deceive himself and trust in vanity (emptiness, falseness, and futility), for these shall be his recompense [for such living].

³² It shall be accomplished and paid in full while he still lives, and his branch shall not be green [but shall wither away].

³³ He shall fail to bring his grapes to maturity [leaving them to wither unnourished] on the vine and shall cast off blossoms [and fail to bring forth fruit] like the olive tree.

³⁴ For the company of the godless shall be barren, and fire shall consume the tents of bribery (wrong and injustice).

³⁵ They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity, and their inmost soul hatches deceit.

16 Then Job answered,

² I have heard many such things; wearisome and miserable comforters are you all!

³ Will your futile words of wind have no end? Or what makes you so bold to answer [me like this]?

⁴ I also could speak as you do, if you were in my stead; I could join words together against you and shake my head at you.

⁵ [But] I would strengthen and encourage you with [the words of] my mouth, and the consolation of my lips would soothe your suffering.

⁶ If I speak [to you miserable comforters], my sorrow is not soothed or lessened; and if I refrain [from speaking], in what way am I eased? [I hardly know whether to answer you or be silent.]

⁷ But now [God] has taken away my strength. You [O Lord] have made desolate all my family and associates.

⁸ You have laid firm hold on me and have shriveled me up, which is a witness against me; and my leanness [and wretched state of body] are further evidence [against me]; [they] testify to my face.

⁹ [^[a]My adversary Satan] has torn [me] in his wrath and hated and persecuted me; he has gnashed upon me with his teeth; my adversary sharpens his eyes against me.

¹⁰ [The forces of evil] have gaped at me with their mouths; they have struck me upon the cheek insolently; they massed themselves together and conspired unanimously against me.^(A)

¹¹ God has delivered me to the ungodly (to the evil one) and cast me [headlong] into the hands of the wicked (Satan’s host).

¹² I was living at ease, but [Satan] crushed me and broke me apart; yes, he seized me by the neck and dashed me in pieces; then he set me up for his target.

¹³ [Satan’s] arrows whiz around me. He slashes open my vitals and does not spare; he pours out my gall on the ground.

¹⁴ [Satan] stabs me, making breach after breach and attacking again and again; he runs at me like a giant and irresistible warrior.

¹⁵ I have sewed sackcloth over my skin [as a sign of mourning] and have defiled my horn (my insignia of strength) in the dust.

¹⁶ My face is red and swollen with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death [my eyes are dimmed],

¹⁷ Although there is no guilt or violence in my hands and my prayer is pure.

¹⁸ O earth, cover not my blood, and let my cry have no resting-place [where it will cease being heard].

¹⁹ Even now, behold, my Witness is in heaven, and He who vouches for me is on high.^(B)

²⁰ My friends scorn me, but my eye pours out tears to God.

²¹ Oh, that there might be one who would plead for a man with God and that he would maintain his right with Him, as a son of man pleads with or for his neighbor!^(C)

²² For when a few years are come, I shall go the way from which I shall not return.

17 My spirit is broken, my days are spent (snuffed out); the grave is ready for me.

² Surely there are mockers and mockery around me, and my eye dwells on their obstinacy, insults, and resistance.

³ Give me a pledge with Yourself [acknowledge my innocence before my death]; who is there that will give security for me?

⁴ But their hearts [Lord] You have closed to understanding; therefore You will not let them triumph [by giving them a verdict against me].

⁵ He who denounces his friends [in order to make them] a prey and get a share, the eyes of his children shall fail [to find food].

⁶ But He has made me a byword among the people, and they spit before my face.

⁷ My eye has grown dim because of grief, and all my members are [wasted away] like a shadow.

⁸ Upright men shall be astonished and appalled at this, and the innocent shall stir himself up against the godless and polluted.

⁹ Yet shall the righteous (those upright and in right standing with God) hold to their ways, and he who has clean hands shall grow stronger and stronger.^(D)

¹⁰ But as for you, come on again, all of you, though I find not a wise man among you.

¹¹ My days are past, my purposes and plans are frustrated; even the thoughts (desires and possessions) of my heart [are broken off].

¹² These [thoughts] extend from the night into the day, [so that] the light is short because of darkness.

¹³ But if I look to Sheol (the unseen state) as my abode, if I spread my couch in the darkness,

¹⁴ If I say to the grave and corruption, 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 then is my hope? And if I have hope, who will see [its fulfillment]?

¹⁶ [My hope] shall go down to the bars of Sheol (the unseen state) when once there is rest in the dust.

18 Then Bildad the Shuhite answered,

² How long will you lay snares for words and have to hunt for your argument? Do some clear thinking, and then we will reply.

³ Why are we counted as beasts [as if we had no sense]? Why are we unclean in your sight?

⁴ You who tear yourself in your anger, shall the earth be forsaken for you, or the rock be removed out of its place?

⁵ Yes, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the flame of his fire shall not shine.^(E)

⁶ The light shall be dark in his dwelling, and his lamp beside him shall be put out.^(F)

⁷ The steps of his strength shall be shortened, and his own counsel and the plans in which he trusted shall bring about his downfall.

⁸ For the wicked is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walks upon a lattice-covered pit.

⁹ A trap will catch him by the heel, and a snare will lay hold on him.

¹⁰ A noose is hidden for him on the ground and a trap for him in the way.

¹¹ Terrors shall make him afraid on every side and shall chase him at his heels.

¹² The strength [of the wicked] shall be hunger-bitten, and calamity is ready at his side [if he halts].

¹³ By disease his strength and his skin shall be devoured; the firstborn of death [the worst of diseases] shall consume his limbs.

¹⁴ He shall be rooted out of his dwelling place in which he trusted, and he shall be brought to the king of terrors [death].

¹⁵ There shall dwell in his tent that which is none of his [family]; sulphur shall be scattered over his dwelling [to purify it after his going].

¹⁶ The roots [of the wicked] shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off and wither.

¹⁷ His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall have no name in the street.

¹⁸ He shall be thrust from light into darkness and driven out of the world.

¹⁹ He shall neither have son nor grandson among his people, nor any remaining where he sojourned.

²⁰ They [of the west] that come after [the wicked man] shall be astonished and appalled at his day, as they [of the east] that went before were seized with horror.

²¹ Surely such are the dwellings of the ungodly, and such is the place of him who knows not (recognizes not and honors not) God.