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Job 31-34
New International Version
Job 31-34
New International Version
31 “I made a covenant with my eyes(A)
not to look lustfully at a young woman.(B)
2 For what is our lot(C) from God above,
our heritage from the Almighty on high?(D)
3 Is it not ruin(E) for the wicked,
disaster(F) for those who do wrong?(G)
4 Does he not see my ways(H)
and count my every step?(I)
5 “If I have walked with falsehood
or my foot has hurried after deceit(J)—
6 let God weigh me(K) in honest scales(L)
and he will know that I am blameless(M)—
7 if my steps have turned from the path,(N)
if my heart has been led by my eyes,
or if my hands(O) have been defiled,(P)
8 then may others eat what I have sown,(Q)
and may my crops be uprooted.(R)
9 “If my heart has been enticed(S) by a woman,(T)
or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door,
10 then may my wife grind(U) another man’s grain,
and may other men sleep with her.(V)
11 For that would have been wicked,(W)
a sin to be judged.(X)
12 It is a fire(Y) that burns to Destruction[a];(Z)
it would have uprooted my harvest.(AA)
13 “If I have denied justice to any of my servants,(AB)
whether male or female,
when they had a grievance against me,(AC)
14 what will I do when God confronts me?(AD)
What will I answer when called to account?(AE)
15 Did not he who made me in the womb make them?(AF)
Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?(AG)
16 “If I have denied the desires of the poor(AH)
or let the eyes of the widow(AI) grow weary,(AJ)
17 if I have kept my bread to myself,
not sharing it with the fatherless(AK)—
18 but from my youth I reared them as a father would,
and from my birth I guided the widow(AL)—
19 if I have seen anyone perishing for lack of clothing,(AM)
or the needy(AN) without garments,
20 and their hearts did not bless me(AO)
for warming them with the fleece(AP) from my sheep,
21 if I have raised my hand against the fatherless,(AQ)
knowing that I had influence in court,(AR)
22 then let my arm fall from the shoulder,
let it be broken off at the joint.(AS)
23 For I dreaded destruction from God,(AT)
and for fear of his splendor(AU) I could not do such things.(AV)
24 “If I have put my trust in gold(AW)
or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’(AX)
25 if I have rejoiced over my great wealth,(AY)
the fortune my hands had gained,(AZ)
26 if I have regarded the sun(BA) in its radiance
or the moon(BB) moving in splendor,
27 so that my heart was secretly enticed(BC)
and my hand offered them a kiss of homage,(BD)
28 then these also would be sins to be judged,(BE)
for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.(BF)
29 “If I have rejoiced at my enemy’s misfortune(BG)
or gloated over the trouble that came to him(BH)—
30 I have not allowed my mouth to sin
by invoking a curse against their life(BI)—
31 if those of my household have never said,
‘Who has not been filled with Job’s meat?’(BJ)—
32 but no stranger had to spend the night in the street,
for my door was always open to the traveler(BK)—
33 if I have concealed(BL) my sin as people do,[b]
by hiding(BM) my guilt in my heart
34 because I so feared the crowd(BN)
and so dreaded the contempt of the clans
that I kept silent(BO) and would not go outside—
35 (“Oh, that I had someone to hear me!(BP)
I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me;
let my accuser(BQ) put his indictment in writing.
36 Surely I would wear it on my shoulder,(BR)
I would put it on like a crown.(BS)
37 I would give him an account of my every step;(BT)
I would present it to him as to a ruler.(BU))—
38 “if my land cries out against me(BV)
and all its furrows are wet(BW) with tears,
39 if I have devoured its yield without payment(BX)
or broken the spirit of its tenants,(BY)
40 then let briers(BZ) come up instead of wheat
and stinkweed(CA) instead of barley.”
The words of Job are ended.(CB)
Elihu
32 So these three men stopped answering Job,(CC) because he was righteous in his own eyes.(CD) 2 But Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite,(CE) of the family of Ram, became very angry with Job for justifying himself(CF) rather than God.(CG) 3 He was also angry with the three friends,(CH) because they had found no way to refute Job,(CI) and yet had condemned him.[c](CJ) 4 Now Elihu had waited before speaking to Job because they were older than he.(CK) 5 But when he saw that the three men had nothing more to say, his anger was aroused.
6 So Elihu son of Barakel the Buzite said:
“I am young in years,
and you are old;(CL)
that is why I was fearful,
not daring to tell you what I know.
7 I thought, ‘Age should speak;
advanced years should teach wisdom.’(CM)
8 But it is the spirit[d](CN) in a person,
the breath of the Almighty,(CO) that gives them understanding.(CP)
9 It is not only the old[e] who are wise,(CQ)
not only the aged(CR) who understand what is right.(CS)
10 “Therefore I say: Listen to me;(CT)
I too will tell you what I know.(CU)
11 I waited while you spoke,
I listened to your reasoning;
while you were searching for words,
12 I gave you my full attention.
But not one of you has proved Job wrong;
none of you has answered his arguments.(CV)
13 Do not say, ‘We have found wisdom;(CW)
let God, not a man, refute(CX) him.’
14 But Job has not marshaled his words against me,(CY)
and I will not answer him with your arguments.
15 “They are dismayed and have no more to say;
words have failed them.(CZ)
16 Must I wait, now that they are silent,
now that they stand there with no reply?
17 I too will have my say;
I too will tell what I know.(DA)
18 For I am full of words,
and the spirit(DB) within me compels me;(DC)
19 inside I am like bottled-up wine,
like new wineskins ready to burst.(DD)
20 I must speak and find relief;
I must open my lips and reply.(DE)
21 I will show no partiality,(DF)
nor will I flatter anyone;(DG)
22 for if I were skilled in flattery,
my Maker(DH) would soon take me away.(DI)
33 “But now, Job, listen(DJ) to my words;
pay attention to everything I say.(DK)
2 I am about to open my mouth;
my words are on the tip of my tongue.
3 My words come from an upright heart;(DL)
my lips sincerely speak what I know.(DM)
4 The Spirit(DN) of God has made me;(DO)
the breath of the Almighty(DP) gives me life.(DQ)
5 Answer me(DR) then, if you can;
stand up(DS) and argue your case before me.(DT)
6 I am the same as you in God’s sight;(DU)
I too am a piece of clay.(DV)
7 No fear of me should alarm you,
nor should my hand be heavy on you.(DW)
8 “But you have said in my hearing—
I heard the very words—
9 ‘I am pure,(DX) I have done no wrong;(DY)
I am clean and free from sin.(DZ)
10 Yet God has found fault with me;
he considers me his enemy.(EA)
11 He fastens my feet in shackles;(EB)
he keeps close watch on all my paths.’(EC)
12 “But I tell you, in this you are not right,
for God is greater than any mortal.(ED)
13 Why do you complain to him(EE)
that he responds to no one’s words[f]?(EF)
14 For God does speak(EG)—now one way, now another(EH)—
though no one perceives it.(EI)
15 In a dream,(EJ) in a vision(EK) of the night,(EL)
when deep sleep(EM) falls on people
as they slumber in their beds,
16 he may speak(EN) in their ears
and terrify them(EO) with warnings,(EP)
17 to turn them from wrongdoing
and keep them from pride,(EQ)
18 to preserve them from the pit,(ER)
their lives from perishing by the sword.[g](ES)
19 “Or someone may be chastened(ET) on a bed of pain(EU)
with constant distress in their bones,(EV)
20 so that their body finds food(EW) repulsive
and their soul loathes the choicest meal.(EX)
21 Their flesh wastes away to nothing,
and their bones,(EY) once hidden, now stick out.(EZ)
22 They draw near to the pit,(FA)
and their life to the messengers of death.[h](FB)
23 Yet if there is an angel at their side,
a messenger,(FC) one out of a thousand,
sent to tell them how to be upright,(FD)
24 and he is gracious to that person and says to God,
‘Spare them from going down to the pit;(FE)
I have found a ransom for them(FF)—
25 let their flesh be renewed(FG) like a child’s;
let them be restored as in the days of their youth’(FH)—
26 then that person can pray to God and find favor with him,(FI)
they will see God’s face and shout for joy;(FJ)
he will restore them to full well-being.(FK)
27 And they will go to others and say,
‘I have sinned,(FL) I have perverted what is right,(FM)
but I did not get what I deserved.(FN)
28 God has delivered(FO) me from going down to the pit,(FP)
and I shall live to enjoy the light of life.’(FQ)
29 “God does all these things to a person(FR)—
twice, even three times(FS)—
30 to turn them back(FT) from the pit,(FU)
that the light of life(FV) may shine on them.(FW)
31 “Pay attention, Job, and listen(FX) to me;(FY)
be silent,(FZ) and I will speak.
32 If you have anything to say, answer me;(GA)
speak up, for I want to vindicate you.(GB)
33 But if not, then listen to me;(GC)
be silent,(GD) and I will teach you wisdom.(GE)”
34 Then Elihu said:
2 “Hear my words, you wise men;
listen to me,(GF) you men of learning.
3 For the ear tests words
as the tongue tastes food.(GG)
4 Let us discern for ourselves what is right;(GH)
let us learn together what is good.(GI)
5 “Job says, ‘I am innocent,(GJ)
but God denies me justice.(GK)
6 Although I am right,
I am considered a liar;(GL)
although I am guiltless,(GM)
his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.’(GN)
7 Is there anyone like Job,
who drinks scorn like water?(GO)
8 He keeps company with evildoers;
he associates with the wicked.(GP)
9 For he says, ‘There is no profit
in trying to please God.’(GQ)
10 “So listen to me,(GR) you men of understanding.(GS)
Far be it from God to do evil,(GT)
from the Almighty to do wrong.(GU)
11 He repays everyone for what they have done;(GV)
he brings on them what their conduct deserves.(GW)
12 It is unthinkable that God would do wrong,(GX)
that the Almighty would pervert justice.(GY)
13 Who appointed(GZ) him over the earth?
Who put him in charge of the whole world?(HA)
14 If it were his intention
and he withdrew his spirit[i](HB) and breath,(HC)
15 all humanity would perish(HD) together
and mankind would return to the dust.(HE)
16 “If you have understanding,(HF) hear this;
listen to what I say.(HG)
17 Can someone who hates justice govern?(HH)
Will you condemn the just and mighty One?(HI)
18 Is he not the One who says to kings, ‘You are worthless,’
and to nobles,(HJ) ‘You are wicked,’(HK)
19 who shows no partiality(HL) to princes
and does not favor the rich over the poor,(HM)
for they are all the work of his hands?(HN)
20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night;(HO)
the people are shaken and they pass away;
the mighty are removed without human hand.(HP)
21 “His eyes are on the ways of mortals;(HQ)
he sees their every step.(HR)
22 There is no deep shadow,(HS) no utter darkness,(HT)
where evildoers can hide.(HU)
23 God has no need to examine people further,(HV)
that they should come before him for judgment.(HW)
24 Without inquiry he shatters(HX) the mighty(HY)
and sets up others in their place.(HZ)
25 Because he takes note of their deeds,(IA)
he overthrows them in the night(IB) and they are crushed.(IC)
26 He punishes them for their wickedness(ID)
where everyone can see them,
27 because they turned from following him(IE)
and had no regard for any of his ways.(IF)
28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before him,
so that he heard the cry of the needy.(IG)
29 But if he remains silent,(IH) who can condemn him?(II)
If he hides his face,(IJ) who can see him?
Yet he is over individual and nation alike,(IK)
30 to keep the godless(IL) from ruling,(IM)
from laying snares for the people.(IN)
31 “Suppose someone says to God,
‘I am guilty(IO) but will offend no more.
32 Teach me what I cannot see;(IP)
if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.’(IQ)
33 Should God then reward you on your terms,
when you refuse to repent?(IR)
You must decide, not I;
so tell me what you know.
34 “Men of understanding declare,
wise men who hear me say to me,
35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge;(IS)
his words lack insight.’(IT)
36 Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost
for answering like a wicked man!(IU)
37 To his sin he adds rebellion;
scornfully he claps his hands(IV) among us
and multiplies his words(IW) against God.”(IX)
Footnotes
- Job 31:12 Hebrew Abaddon
- Job 31:33 Or as Adam did
- Job 32:3 Masoretic Text; an ancient Hebrew scribal tradition Job, and so had condemned God
- Job 32:8 Or Spirit; also in verse 18
- Job 32:9 Or many; or great
- Job 33:13 Or that he does not answer for any of his actions
- Job 33:18 Or from crossing the river
- Job 33:22 Or to the place of the dead
- Job 34:14 Or Spirit
Job 31-34
King James Version
Job 31-34
King James Version
31 I made a covenant with mine 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 mine integrity.
7 If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;
8 Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.
9 If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour's door;
10 Then let my wife grind unto 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 mine increase.
13 If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, 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 thereof;
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 were not 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 mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine 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 rejoice because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much;
26 If I 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 rejoice at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:
30 Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.
31 If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh 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 covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine 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 Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine 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 unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.
38 If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain;
39 If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life:
40 Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.
32 So 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; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine 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 shew mine opinion.
11 Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.
12 Yea, I attended unto 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 left off speaking.
16 When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)
17 I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine 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 unto man.
22 For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.
33 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
4 The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.
6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,
11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:
24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:
26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
32 If thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.
33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
34 Furthermore Elihu answered and said,
2 Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.
3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.
4 Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.
5 For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.
6 Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.
7 What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?
8 Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.
9 For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.
10 Therefore hearken unto me ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.
13 Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
14 If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;
15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.
16 If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.
17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?
18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?
19 How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
23 For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.
24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;
27 Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:
28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
29 When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:
30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.
31 Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
32 That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.
33 Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.
34 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.
35 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.
36 My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.
37 For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.
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