XVI. 1909-14. The Book of Job. The Harvard Classics

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The Book of Job.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

XVI


[1]	THEN Job answered and said,
[2]	I have heard many such things: Miserable 1 comforters are ye all.
[3]	Shall vain 2 words have an end? Or what provoketh thee that thou answerest?
[4]	I also could speak as ye do; If your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could join words together against you, And shake my head at you.
[5]	But I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the solace of my lips would assuage your grief.

[6]	Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged; And though I forbear, what 3 am I eased?
[7]	But now he hath made me weary: Thou hast made desolate all my company.
[8]	And thou hast laid 4 fast hold on me, which is a witness against me: And my leanness riseth up against me: It testifieth to my face.
[9]	He hath torn me in his wrath, and persecuted 5 me; He hath gnashed upon me with his teeth: Mine adversary sharpeneth his eyes upon me.
[10]	They have gaped upon me with their mouth; They have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully: They gather themselves together against me.
[11]	God delivereth me to the ungodly, And casteth me into the hands of the wicked.
[12]	I was at ease, and he brake me asunder; Yea, he hath taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces: He hath also set me up for his mark.
[13]	His archers 6 compass me round about; He cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; He poureth out my gall upon the ground.
[14]	He breaketh me with breach upon breach; He runneth upon me like a giant. 7
[15]	I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, And have laid 8 my horn in the dust.
[16]	My face is red with weeping, And on my eyelids is the shadow of death;
[17]	Although there is no violence in my hands, And my prayer is pure.
[18]	O earth, cover not thou my blood, And let my cry have 9 no resting-place.
[19]	Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, And he that voucheth for me is on high.
[20]	My friends scoff at me: But mine eye poureth out tears unto God,
[21]	That 10 he would maintain the right of a man with God, And of a son of man with his neighbor!
[22]	For when a few years are come, I shall go the way whence I shall not return.

Note 1. Or, Wearisome. [back]

Note 2. Heb. words of wind. [back]

Note 3. Heb. what departeth from me?. [back]

Note 4. Or, shrivelled me up. [back]

Note 5. Or, hated. [back]

Note 6. Or, arrows.Or, mighty ones. [back]

Note 7. Or, mighty man. [back]

Note 8. Or, defiled. [back]

Note 9. Or, have no more place. [back]

Note 10. Or, That one might plead for a man with God, As a son of man pleadeth for his neighbor. [back]

CONTENTS · BOOK CONTENTS · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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