AYUB    𐤀𐤉𐤅𐤁

JOB

CHAPTER 1

1 There was a man in the land of A'uts (A’oots), whose name was Ayub (A’yoob). That man was blameless and upright, and one who feared ALUAH, and turned away from evil.

2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters.

3 His possessions also were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the children of the east.

4 His sons went and held a feast in the house of each one on his day; and they sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting had run their course, that Ayub sent and made them apart, and rose up early in the rising, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Ayub said, "It may be that my sons have transgressed, and renounced ALUAH in their hearts." Ayub did so continually.

6 And it came to be on the day when the sons of ALUAH came to show themselves before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), that Shatan also came among them.

7 And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) said to Shatan, "Where have you come from?" Then Shatan answered 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), and said, "From going back and forth in the earth, and from walking up and down in it."

8 And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) said to Shatan, "Have you considered My servant, Ayub? For there is none like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears ALUAH, and turns away from evil."

9 Then Shatan answered 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), and said, "Does Ayub fear ALUAH for nothing?

10 Haven't You made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have Barak the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

11 But put forth your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will renounce you to your face."

12 And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) said to Shatan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power. Only on himself don't put forth your hand." So Shatan went forth from the face of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH).

13 And it was on a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house,

14 that there came a messenger to Ayub, and said, "The oxen were plowing, and the donkeys feeding beside them,

15 and Shaba attacked, and took them away. Yes, they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."

16 While he was still speaking, there also came another, and said, "The fire of ALUAH has fallen from the sky, and has burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you."

17 While he was still speaking, there came also another, and said, "The Kashad’ym made three bands, and swept down on the camels, and have taken them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you."

18 While he was still speaking, there came also another, and said, "Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house,

19 and behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young men, and they are dead. I alone have escaped to tell you."

20 Then Ayub arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down on the ground, and worshiped.

21 And he said, "Naked I came out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there. 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) gave, and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) has taken away. Ma’Barak Be The NAME OF 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH)."

22 In all this, Ayub did not transgress, nor charge ALUAH with wrongdoing.

CHAPTER 2

1 Again it came to be on the day when the ALUAH's sons came to show themselves before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), that Shatan came also among them to show himself before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH).

2 And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) said to Shatan, "Where have you come from?" Shatan answered 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), and said, "From going back and forth in the earth, and from walking up and down in it."

3 And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) said to Shatan, "Have you considered My servant Ayub? For there is none like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears ALUAH, and turns away from evil. He still maintains his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to ruin him without cause." 

4 And Shatan answered 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), and said, "Skin for skin. Yes, all that a man has he will give for his being.

5 But put forth your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce you to your face."

6 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) said to Shatan, "Behold, he is in your hand. Only spare his being.”

7 So Shatan went forth from the dwelling of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH), and struck Ayub with painful sores from the sole of his foot to his head.

8 And he took for himself a potsherd to scrape himself with, and he sat among the ashes.

9 Then his wife said to him, "Do you still maintain your integrity? Renounce ALUAH, and die."

10 But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of ALUAH, and shall we not receive evil?" In all this Ayub didn't transgress with his lips.

11 Now when Ayub's three friends heard of all this evil that had come on him, they each came from his own place: AL'yapaz the Tha'yaman'ya, Bal'dad the Shukha'ya (Shoo’kha’ya), and Tsu'par (Tsoo’par) the Naa'matha'ya, and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and to comfort him.

12 When they lifted up their eyes from a distance, and didn't recognize him, they raised their voices, and wept; and they each tore his robe, and sprinkled dust on their heads toward the sky.

13 So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great.

CHAPTER 3

1 After this Ayub opened his mouth, and cursed the day of his birth.

2 Ayub answered:

3 "Let the day perish in which I was born, the night which said, 'There is a boy conceived.'

4 Let that day be darkness. Don't let ALUAH from above seek for it, neither let the light shine on it.

5 Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own. Let a cloud dwell on it. Let all that makes black the day terrify it.

6 As for that night, let thick darkness seize on it. Let it not rejoice among the days of the year. Let it not come into the number of the moons.

7 Behold, let that night be barren. Let no joyful voice come therein.

8 Let them curse it who curse the day, who are ready to rouse up Lu'yathan (Loo’yathan).

9 Let the stars of its twilight be dark. Let it look for light, but have none, neither let it see the eyelids of the rising,

10 because it didn't shut up the doors of my mother's womb, nor did it hide trouble from my eyes.

11 "Why didn't I die from the womb? Why didn't I give up the rukh when my mother bore me?

12 Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breast, that I should nurse?

13 For now should I have lain down and been quiet. I should have slept, then I would have been at rest,

14 with sovereigns and counselors of the earth, who built up waste places for themselves;

15 or with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver:

16 or as a hidden untimely birth I had not been, as infants who never saw light.

17 There the wicked cease from troubling. There the weary are at rest.

18 There the prisoners are at ease together. They don't hear the voice of the taskmaster.

19 The small and the great are there. The servant is free from his sovereign.

20"Why is light given to him who is in misery, khaYah (life) to the bitter in being,

21 Who long for death, but it doesn't come; and dig for it more than for hidden treasures,

22 who rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave?

23 Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, whom ALUAH has hedged in?

24 For my sighing comes before I eat. My groanings are poured out like water.

25 For the thing which I fear comes on me, That which I am afraid of comes to me.

26 I am not at ease, neither am I quiet, neither have I rest; but trouble comes."

CHAPTER 4

1 Then AL'yapaz the Tha'yaman'ya answered and said,

2 "If someone ventures to talk with you, will you be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking?

3 Behold, you have instructed many, you have strengthened the weak hands.

4 Your words have supported him who was falling, You have made firm the feeble knees.

5 But now it is come to you, and you faint. It touches you, and you are troubled.

6 Isn't your piety your confidence? Isn't the integrity of your ways your hope?

7 "Remember, now, whoever perished, being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?

8 According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity, and sow trouble, reap the same.

9 By the breath of ALUAH they perish. By the blast of his anger are they consumed.

10 The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, the teeth of the young lions, are broken.

11 The old lion perishes for lack of prey. The cubs of the lioness are scattered abroad.

12 "Now a thing was secretly brought to me. My ear received a whisper of it.

13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men,

14 fear came on me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake.

15 Then a rukh passed before my face. The hair of my flesh stood up.

16 It stood still, but I couldn't discern its appearance. A form was before my eyes. Silence, then I heard a voice, saying,

17 'Shall mortal man be more just than ALUAH? Shall a man be more pure than his Maker?

18 Behold, he puts no trust in his servants. He charges his messengers with error.

19 How much more, those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth!

20 Between rising and evening they are destroyed. They perish forever without any regarding it.

21 Isn't their tent cord plucked up within them? They die, and that without discernment.’

CHAPTER 5

1 "Call now; is there any who will answer you? To which of the made apart ones will you turn?

2 For resentment kills the foolish man, and jealousy kills the simple.

3 I have seen the foolish taking root, but suddenly I cursed his habitation.

4 His children are far from safety. They are crushed in the gate. Neither is there any to save them,

5 whose harvest the hungry eats up, and take it even out of the thorns. The snare gapes for their substance.

6 For affliction doesn't come forth from the dust, neither does trouble spring out of the ground;

7 but man is born to trouble, as the spArks fly upward.

8 "But as for me, I would seek AL. I would commit my cause to ALUAH,

9 who does great that cannot be fathomed, wonders without number;

10 who gives rain on the earth, and sends waters on the fields;

11 so that He places up on high those who are low, those who mourn are exalted to safety.

12 He frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands can't perform their enterprise.

13 He takes the discerned in their own craftiness; the counsel of the cunning is carried headlong.

14 They meet with darkness in the day time, and grope at noonday as in the night.

15 But He saves from the sword of their mouth, even the needy from the hand of the mighty.

16 So the poor has hope, and unrighteousness shuts her mouth.

17 "Behold, joyful is the man whom ALUAH corrects. Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.

18 For He wounds, and binds up. He injures, and His Hands make whole.

19 He will save you in six troubles; yes, in seven no evil shall touch you.

20 In famine He will redeem you from death; in war, from the power of the sword.

21 You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, neither shall you be afraid of destruction when it comes.

22 At destruction and famine you shall laugh, neither shall you be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

23 For you shall be allied with the stones of the field. The beasts of the field shall be at shalamah (peace) with you.

24 You shall know that your tent is in shalum (peace). You shall visit your fold, and shall miss nothing.

25You shall know also that your seed shall be great, Your offspring as the grass of the earth.

26 You shall come to your grave in a full age, like a shock of grain comes in its season.

27 Look, this we have searched it, so it is. Hear it, and know it for your good."

CHAPTER 6

1 Then Ayub answered and said,

2 "Oh that my anguish were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances!

3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas, therefore have my words been rash.

4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me. My rukh drinks up their poison. The terrors of ALUAH set themselves in array against me.

5 Does the wild donkey bray when he has grass? Or does the ox low over his fodder?

6 Can that which has no flavor be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

7 My being refuses to touch them. They are as loathsome food to me.

8 "Oh that I might have my request, that ALUAH would grant the thing that I long for,

9 even that it would please ALUAH to crush me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

10 Be it still my consolation, yes, let me exult in pain that doesn't spare, that I have not denied the words of the Made Apart One.

11 What is my strength, that I should wait? What is my end, that I should be patient?

12 Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?

13 Isn't it that I have no help in me, That discernment is driven quite from me?

14 "To him who is ready to faint, kindness should be shown from his friend; even to him who forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

15 My brothers have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that pass away;

16 Which are black by reason of the ice, in which the snow hides itself.

17 In the dry season, they vanish. When it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

18 The caravans that travel beside them turn aside. They go up into the waste, and perish.

19 The caravans of Thama looked. The companies of Shaba waited for them.

20 They were distressed because they were confident. They came there, and were confounded.

21 For now you are nothing. You see a terror, and are afraid.

22 Did I say, 'Give to me?' or, 'Offer a bribe for me from your substance?'

23 or, ‘Save me from the adversary's hand?' or, 'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?'

24 "Teach me, and I will hold my tongue. Cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

25 How forcible are words of uprightness! But your reproof, what does it reprove?

26 Do you intend to reprove words, since the speeches of one who is desperate are as wind?

27 Yes, you would even cast lots for the fatherless, and make merchandise of your friend.

28 Now therefore be pleased to look at me, for surely I shall not lie to your face.

29 Please return. Let there be no unrighteousness. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.

30 Is there unrighteousness on my tongue? Can my taste not discern the mischief?

CHAPTER 7

1"Isn't a man forced to labor on earth? Aren't his days like the days of a hired hand?

2 As a servant who earnestly desires the shadow, as a hireling who looks for his wages,

3 so am I made to possess moons of misery, wearisome nights are appointed to me.

4 When I lie down, I say, 'When shall I arise, and the night be gone?' I toss and turn until the dawning of the day.

5 My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust. My skin closes up, and breaks out afresh.

6 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.

7 Oh remember that my khaYah (life) is a breath. My eye shall no more see good.

8 The eye of him who sees me shall see me no more. Your eyes shall be on me, but I shall not be.

9 As the cloud is consumed and vanishes away, so he who goes down to Sha'ul shall come up no more.

10 He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.

11 "Therefore I will not keep silent. I will speak in the anguish of my rukh. I will complain in the bitterness of my being.

12 Am I a sea, or a sea monster, that you put a guard over me?

13 When I say, 'My bed shall comfort me. My couch shall ease my complaint;'

14 then you scare me with dreams, and terrify me through visions:

15 so that my being chooses strangling, death rather than my bones.

16 I loathe, I don't want to dwell forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath.

17 What is man, that you should exalt him, that you should place your mind on him,

18 that you should visit him every rising, and test him every moment?

19 How long will you not look away from me, nor leave me alone until I swallow down my spittle?

20 If I have transgressed, what do I do to you, you watcher of men? Why have you made me as a mark for you, so that I am a burden to myself?

21 Why do you not pardon my disobedience, and take away my iniquity? For now shall I lie down in the dust. You will seek me diligently, but I shall not be."

CHAPTER 8

1 Then Bal'dad the Shukha'ya answered,

2 "How long will you speak these? Shall the words of your mouth be a mighty wind?

3 Does The AL pervert right ruling? Or does the Almighty pervert righteousness?

4 If your children have transgressed against him, He has brought them into the hand of their disobedience.

5 If you want to seek AL diligently, make your supplication to the Almighty.

6 If you were pure and upright, surely now he would awaken for you, and make the habitation of your righteousness prosperous.

7 Though your beginning was small, yet your latter end would greatly increase.

8 "Please inquire of past generations. Find out about the learning of their fathers.

9 For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days on earth are a shadow.

10 Shall they not teach you, tell you, and utter words out of their heart?

11 "Can the papyrus grow up without mire? Can the rushes grow without water?

12 While it is yet in its greenness, not cut down, it withers before any other reed.

13 So are the paths of all who forget AL. The hope of the defiled man shall perish,

14 Whose confidence shall break apart, Whose trust is a spider's web.

15 He shall lean on his house, but it shall not stand. He shall cling to it, but it shall not endure.

16 He is green before the sun. His shoots go forth over his garden.

17 His roots are wrapped around the rock pile. He sees the place of stones.

18 If he is destroyed from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, 'I have not seen you.'

19 Behold, this is the joy of his way: out of the earth, others shall spring.

20 "Behold, AL will not cast away a blameless man, neither will he uphold the evildoers.

21 He will still fill your mouth with laughter, your lips with shouting.

22 Those who hate you shall be clothed with shame. The tent of the wicked shall be no more."

CHAPTER 9

1 Then Ayub answered and said,

2 "Truly I know that it is so, but how can man be just with AL?

3 If he is pleased to contend with Him, he can't answer Him one time in a thousand.

4 Discerned in heart, and mighty in strength: who has hardened himself against Him, and prospered?

5 He removes the mountains, and they don't know it, when he overturns them in his anger.

6 He shakes the earth out of its place. Its pillars tremble.

7 He commands the sun, and it doesn't rise, and seals up the stars.

8 He alone stretches out the shama'ym, and treads on the waves of the sea.

9 He makes the Ash, Kas'yal, and the Kayamah, and the rooms of the south.

10 He does great, even without searching, and wonders without number.

11 Behold, He goes by me, and I don't see Him. He passes on also, but I don't perceive Him.

12 Behold, He snatches away. Who can hinder Him? Who will ask Him, 'What are you doing?'

13 "ALUAH will not withdraw His anger. The helpers of the proud stoop under Him.

14 How much less shall I answer Him, And choose my words to argue with Him?

15 Though I were righteous, yet I wouldn't answer Him. I would make supplication to my right ruling.

16 If I had called, and He had answered me, yet I wouldn't trust that He listened to my voice.

17 For He breaks me with a storm, and multiplies my wounds without cause.

18 He will not allow me to catch my breath, but fills me with bitterness.

19 If it is a matter of strength, behold, He is mighty! If of right ruling, 'Who,' says He, 'will call me?'

20 Though I am righteous, my own mouth shall condemn me. Though I am blameless, it shall prove me perverse.

21 I am blameless. I don't respect myself. I despise my khaYah (life).

22 "It is all the same. Therefore I say he destroys the blameless and the wicked.

23 If the scourge kills suddenly, he will mock at the trial of the innocent.

24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked. He covers the faces of its judges. If not he, then who is it?

25 "Now my days are swifter than a runner. They flee away, they see no good,

26 They have passed away as the swift ships, as the eagle that swoops on the prey.

27 If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad face, and cheer up;'

28 I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that you will not hold me innocent.

29 I shall be condemned. Why then do I labor in vain?

30 If I wash myself with snow, and cleanse my hands with lye,

31 then you will plunge me in the ditch. My own clothes shall abhor me.

32 For He is not a man, as I am, that I should answer Him, that we should come together in right ruling.

33 There is no umpire between us, that might lay his hand on us both.

34 Let Him take His rod away from me. Let His terror not make me afraid;

35 then I would speak, and not fear Him, for I am not so in myself.

CHAPTER 10

1 "My being is weary of my khaYah (life). I will give free course to my complaint. I will speak in the bitterness of my being.

2 I will tell ALUAH, 'Do not condemn me. Show me why You contend with me.

3 Is it good to You that You should oppress, that You should despise the work of your hands, and smile on the counsel of the wicked?

4 Do You have eyes of flesh? Or do You see as man sees?

5 Are Your days as the days of mortals, or Your years as man's years,

6 that You inquire after my iniquity, and search after my iniquity?

7 Although You know that I am not wicked, there is no one who can save out of Your Hand.

8 "'Your Hands have framed me and fashioned me altogether, yet You destroy me.

9 Remember, I beg You, that You have fashioned me as clay. Will You bring me into dust again?

10 Haven't You poured me out like milk, and curdled me like cheese?

11 You have clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews.

12 You have granted me khaYah (life) and loving kindness. Your visitation has preserved my rukh.

13 Yet You hid these in Your Heart. I know that this is with You:

14 If I transgress, then You mark me. You will not acquit me from my iniquity.

15 If I am wicked, woe to me. If I am righteous, I still shall not lift up my head, being filled with shame, and conscious of my affliction.

16 If my head is held high, you hunt me like a lion. Again You show yourself powerful to me.

17 You renew Your witnesses against me, and increase Your indignation on me. Changes and warfare are with me.

18 "'Why, then, have You brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had perished, and no eye had seen me.

19 I should have been as though I had not been. I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.

20 Aren't my days few? Cease then. Leave me alone, that I may find a little comfort,

21 before I go where I shall not return from, to the land of darkness and of the shadow of death;

22 the land dark as midnight, of the shadow of death, without any order, where the light is as midnight.'"

CHAPTER 11

1 Then Tsu'par, the Naa'matha'ya, answered and said,

2 "Shouldn't the multitude of words be answered? Should a man full of talk be justified?

3 Should your boastings make men silent? When you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?

4 For you say, 'My doctrine is pure. I am clean in your eyes.'

5 But oh that ALUAH would speak, and open his lips against you,

6 that He would show you the secrets of discernment! For true discernment has two sides. Know therefore that ALUAH exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

7 "Can you fathom the mystery of ALUAH? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

8 They are high as shama'ym. What can you do? They are deeper than Sha'ul (Sha’ool). What can you know?

9 Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

10 If He passes by, or confines, or gathers, then who can reverse it?

11 For He knows false men. He sees iniquity also, does He not consider it?

12 An empty-headed man becomes discerned when a man is born as a wild donkey's colt.

13 "If you make your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him.

14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don't let unrighteousness dwell in your tents.

15 Surely then you shall lift up your face without spot; Yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:

16 for you shall forget your misery. You shall remember it as waters that are passed away.

17 [Your] age shall be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it shall be as the rising.

18 You shall be secure, because there is expectancy. Yes, you shall search, and shall take your rest in safety.

19 Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid. Yes, many shall court your favor.

20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail. They shall have no way to flee. Their hope shall be the giving up of the being.”

CHAPTER 12

1 Then Ayub answered and said,

2 "No doubt, but you are the people, and discernment shall die with you.

3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Yes, who does not know such as these?

4 I am like one who is a joke to his neighbor, I, who called on ALUAH, and he answered. The just, the blameless man is a joke.

5 A lamp is despised in the thought of one who is at ease prepared for those whose feet slip.

6 The tents of robbers prosper. Those who provoke AL are secure, who carry their ALUAH in their hands.

7 "But ask the animals, now, and they shall teach you; the birds of the sky, and they shall tell you.

8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach you. The fish of the sea shall declare to you.

9 Who doesn't know that in all these, the hand of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) has done this,

10 in whose hand is the being of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind?

11 Doesn't the ear try words, even as the palate tastes its food?

12 With aged men is discernment, in length of days understanding.

13 "With ALUAH is counsel and might. He has counsel and understanding.

14 Behold, He breaks down, and it can't be built again. He imprisons a man, and there can be no release.

15 Behold, He withholds the waters, and they dry up. Again, He sends them out, and they overturn the earth.

16 With Him is strength and discernment. The deceived and the deceiver are His.

17 He leads counselors away stripped. He makes judges fools.

18 He loosens the bond of kings. He binds their waist with a belt.

19 He leads ka’ahn’ym (priests) away stripped, and overthrows the mighty.

20 He removes the speech of those who are trusted, and takes away the understanding of the elders.

21 He pours contempt on princes, and loosens the belt of the strong.

22 He uncovers deep out of darkness, and brings out to light the shadow of death.

23 He increases the nations, and he destroys them. He enlarges the nations, and He leads them captive.

24 He takes away heart from the chiefs of the people of the earth, and causes them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.

25 They grope in the dark without light. He makes them stagger like a drunkard.

CHAPTER 13

1 "Behold, my eye has seen all this. My ear has heard and understood it.

2 What you know, I know also. I am not inferior to you.

3 "Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with AL.

4 But you are forgers of lies. You are all physicians of no value.

5 Oh that you would be completely silent! Then you would be discerned.

6 Hear now my reasoning. Listen to the pleadings of my lips.

7 Will you speak unrighteously for AL, and talk deceitfully for Him?

8 Will you show partiality to Him? Will you contend for AL?

9 Is it good that He should search you out? Or as one deceives a man, will you deceive Him?

10 He will surely reprove you if you secretly show partiality.

11 Shall not His Splendor make you afraid, And His dread fall on you?

12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes, Your defenses are defenses of clay.

13 "Be silent, leave me alone, that I may speak. Let come on me what will.

14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my being in my hand?

15 Though He will slay me, yet I will trust in Him. Even so, I will maintain my ways before Him.

16 This also shall be my saving, that a defiled man shall not come before him.

17 Hear diligently my speech. Let my declaration be in your ears.

18 See now, I have made my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.

19 Who is he who will contend with me? For then would I keep silent and perish.

20 "Only do two to me, AL; then I will not hide myself from Your face:

21 withdraw Your hand far from me; and don't let Your terror make me afraid.

22 Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you answer me.

23 How many are my iniquities and transgressions? Make me know my disobedience and my iniquity.

24 Why do You hide Your face, and hold me for Your enemy?

25 Will You harass a driven leaf? Will You pursue the dry stubble?

26 For You write bitter charges against me, and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth:

27 You also put my feet in the stocks, and mark all my paths. You place a bound to the soles of my feet,

28 though I am decaying like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth eaten.

CHAPTER 14

1 "Man, who is born of a woman, is of few days, and full of trouble.

2 He comes forth like a flower, and is cut down. He also flees like a shadow, and doesn't continue.

3 Do You open your eyes on such a one, and bring me into right ruling with You?

4 Who can bring the clean out of an unclean? Not one.

5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months is with You, and You have appointed his bounds that he can't pass;

6 Look away from him, that he may rest, until he shall accomplish, as a hired man, his day.

7 "For there is hope for a tree, If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, that the tender branch of it will not cease.

8 Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stock dies in the ground,

9 yet through the scent of water it will bud, and put forth boughs like a plant.

10 But man dies, and is laid low. Yes, man expires, and where is he?

11 As the waters fail from the sea, and the river wastes and dries up,

12 so man lies down and doesn't rise. Until the shama'ym are no more, they shall not awake, nor be roused out of their sleep.

13 "Oh that you would hide me in Sha'ul, that you would keep me secret, until your wrath is past, that you would appoint me a set time, and remember me!

14 If a man dies, shall he dwell again? All the days of my warfare would I wait, until my release should come.

15 You would call, and I would answer You. You would have a desire to the work of your hands.

16 But now You count my steps. Don't You watch over my transgression?

17 My disobedience is sealed up in a bag. You fasten up my iniquity.

18 "But the mountain falling comes to nothing. The rock is removed out of its place;

19 The waters wear the stones. The torrents of it wash away the dust of the earth. So You destroy the expectancy of man.

20 You forever prevail against him, and he departs. You change his face, and send him away.

21 His sons come to esteem, and he doesn't know it. They are brought low, but he doesn't perceive it of them.

22 But his flesh on him has pain, and his being within him mourns."

CHAPTER 15

1 Then AL'yapaz the Tha'yaman'ya answered and said,

2 "Should a discerned man answer with vain knowledge, and fill himself with the east wind?

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

4 Yes, you do away with fear, and hinder devotion before AL.

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

6 Your own mouth condemns you, and not I. Yes, your own lips witness against you.

7 "Are you the first man who was born? Or were you brought forth before the hills?

8 Have you heard the secret counsel of ALUAH? Do you limit discernment to yourself?

9 What do you know, that we don't know? What do you understand, which is not in us?

10 With us are both the gray-headed and the very aged men, much elder than your father.

11 Are the consolations of AL too small for you, even the word that is gentle toward you?

12 Why does your heart carry you away? Why do your eyes flash,

13 That you turn your rukh against AL, and let such words go out of your mouth?

14 What is man, that he should be clean? What is he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous?

15 Behold, He puts no trust in his Made Apart ones. Yes, the shama'ym are not clean in his sight;

16 how much less one who is abominable and corrupt, a man who drinks iniquity like water!

17 "I will show you, listen to me; that which I have seen I will declare:

18 Which discerned men have told by their fathers, and have not hidden it;

19 to whom alone the land was given, and no stranger passed among them:

20 the wicked man writhes in pain all his days, even the number of years that are laid up for the oppressor.

21 A sound of terrors is in his ears. In prosperity the destroyer shall come on him.

22 He doesn't trust that he shall return out of darkness. He is waited for by the sword.

23 He wanders abroad for bread, saying, 'Where is it?' He knows that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.

24 Distress and anguish make him afraid. They prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.

25 Because he has stretched out his hand against AL, and behaves himself proudly against the Almighty;

26 he runs at Him with a stiff neck, with the thick shields of his bucklers;

27 because he has covered his face with his fatness, and gathered fat on his thighs.

28 He has dwelled in desolate cities, in houses which no one inhabited, which were ready to become heaps.

29 He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall their possessions be extended on the earth.

30 He shall not depart out of darkness. The flame shall dry up his branches. By the breath of His mouth shall he go away.

31 Let him not trust in emptiness, deceiving himself; for emptiness shall be his reward.

32 It shall be accomplished before his time, and his branch shall not be green.

33 He shall shake off his unripe grape as the vine, and shall cast off his flower as the olive tree.

34 For the company of the defiled shall be barren, and fire shall consume the tents of bribery.

35 They conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. Their heart prepares deceit."

CHAPTER 16

1 Then Ayub answered and said,

2 "I have heard as many of these! You are all miserable comforters!

3 Shall vain words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer?

4 I also could speak as you do. If your being were in my being’s place, I could join words together against you, and shake my head at you,

5 but I would strengthen you with my mouth. The moving of my lips would relieve you.

6 "Though I speak, my pain is not subsided. Though I forbear, what am I eased?

7 But now, He has surely worn me out. You have made desolate all my company.

8 You have shriveled me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me. It bears witness to my face.

9 He has torn me in his wrath, and persecuted me. He has gnashed on me with his teeth. My adversary sharpens his eyes on me.

10 They have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me.

11 AL has handed me to the perverse, and casts me into the hands of the wicked.

12 I was at ease, and He broke me apart. Yes, He has taken me by the neck, and dashed me to pieces. He has also placed me up for His target.

13 His archers surround me. He splits my kidneys apart, and does not spare. He pours out my gall on the ground.

14 He breaks me with breach on breach. He runs on me like a mighty man.

15 I have sewed sackcloth on my skin, and have thrust my horn in the dust.

16 My face is red with weeping. Deep darkness is on my eyelids.

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

18 "Earth, don't cover my blood. Let my cry have no place to rest.

19 Even now, behold, my witness is in shama'ym. He who vouches for me is on high.

20 My friends scoff at me. My eyes pour out tears to ALUAH,

21 that he would maintain the right of a man with ALUAH, of a son of man with his neighbor!

22 For when a few years are come, I shall go the way of no return.

CHAPTER 17

1 "My rukh is consumed. My days are extinct, And the grave is ready for me.

2 Surely there are mockers with me. My eye abides on their insults.

3 "Now give a pledge, be collateral for me with yourself. Who is there who will strike hands with me?

4 For You have hidden their heart from understanding, Therefore You shall not exalt them.

5 He who denounces his friends for a prey, Even the eyes of his children shall fail.

6 "But he has made me a byword of the people. They spit in my face.

7 My eye also is dim by reason of sorrow. All my members are as a shadow.

8 Upright men shall be astonished at this. The innocent shall stir up himself against the defiled one.

9 Yet shall the righteous hold on his way. He who has clean hands shall grow stronger and stronger.

10 But as for you all, come on now again; I shall not find a discerned man among you.

11 My days are past, my plans are broken off, as are the thoughts of my heart.

12 They change the night into day, saying 'The light is near' from the face of darkness.

13 If I look for Sha'ul as my house, if I have spread my bed in the darkness,

14 If I have said to corruption, 'You are my father;' to the worm, 'My mother,' and 'my sister;'

15 where then is my expectancy? as for my expectancy, who shall see it?

16 Shall it go down with me to the gates of Sha'ul, or descend together into the dust?"

CHAPTER 18

1 Then Bal'dad the Shukha'ya answered and said,

2 "How long will you hunt for words? Consider, and afterwards we will speak.

3 Why are we counted as animals, which have become unclean in your sight?

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

5 "Yes, the light of the wicked shall be put out, The spArk of his fire shall not shine.

6 The light shall be dark in his tent. His lamp above him shall be put out.

7 The steps of his strength shall be shortened. His own counsel shall cast him down.

8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he wanders into its mesh.

9 A snare will take him by the heel. A trap will catch him.

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

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

12 His strength shall be famished. Calamity shall be ready at his side.

13 The members of his body shall be devoured. The firstborn of death shall devour his members.

14. He shall be rooted out of his tent where he trusts. He shall be brought to the king of terrors.

15 There shall dwell in his tent that which is none of his. Brimstone shall be scattered on his habitation.

16 His roots shall be dried up beneath. Above shall his branch be cut off.

17 His memory shall perish from the earth. He shall have no name in the street.

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

19 He shall have neither seed nor descendant among his people, nor any survivor where he dwelled.

20 Those who come after shall be astonished at his day, as those who went before were frightened.

21 Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous. This is the place of him who doesn't know AL."

CHAPTER 19

1 Then Ayub answered and said,

2 "How long will you torment me, and crush me with words?

3 You have reproached me ten times. You aren't ashamed that you attack me.

4 If it is true that I have erred, my error remains with myself.

5 If indeed you will exalt yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach;

6 know now that ALUAH has subverted me, and has surrounded me with his net.

7 "Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard. I cry for help, but there is no right ruling.

8 He has walled up my way so that I can't pass, and has placed darkness in my paths.

9 He has stripped me of my esteem, and taken the crown from my head.

10 He has broken me down on every side, and I am gone. My expectancy He has plucked up like a tree.

11 He has also kindled his wrath against me. He counts me among his adversaries.

12 His troops come on together, build a siege ramp against me, and encamp around my tent.

13 "He has put my brothers far from me. My acquaintances are wholly estranged from me.

14 My relatives have gone away. My familiar friends have forgotten me.

15 Those who dwell in my house, and my maids, count me for a stranger. I am a stranger in their sight.

16 I call to my servant, and he gives me no answer. I beg him with my mouth.

17 My breath is offensive to my wife. I am loathsome to the children of my own body.

18 Even young children despise me. If I arise, they speak against me.

19 All my familiar friends abhor me. They whom I loved have turned against me.

20 My bones stick to my skin and to my flesh. I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.

21 “Show favor to me, show favor to me, you my friends; for the hand of ALUAH has touched me.

22 Why do you persecute me as AL, and are not satisfied with my flesh?

23 "Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!

24 That with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever!

25 But as for me, I know that my Redeemer khaYah (lives). And at the last, He will stand upon the earth.

26 After my skin is destroyed, then in my flesh shall I see ALUAH,

27 Whom I, even I, shall see on my side. My eyes shall see, and not as a stranger. "My kidneys are consumed within me.

28 If you say, 'How we will persecute him!' because the root of the matter is found in me,

29 fear the sword, for wrath brings the punishments of the sword, that you know there is right ruling."

CHAPTER 20

1 Then Tsu'par the Naa'matha'ya answered and said,

2 "Therefore do my thoughts give answer to me, even by reason of my haste that is in me.

3 I have heard the reproof which puts me to shame. The rukh of my understanding answers me.

4 Don't you know this from old time, since man was placed on earth,

5 that the triumphing of the wicked is short, the joy of the defiled one but for a moment?

6 Though his height mount up to the shama'ym, and his head reach to the clouds,

7 yet he shall perish forever like his own dung. Those who have seen him shall say, 'Where is he?'

8 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found. Yes, he shall be chased away like a vision of the night.

9 The eye which saw him shall see him no more, neither shall his place any more see him.

10 His children shall seek the favor of the poor. and his hands shall give back his wealth.

11 His bones are full of his youth, but youth shall lie down with him in the dust.

12 "Though wickedness is sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue,

13 though he spare it, and will not let it go, but keep it still within his mouth;

14 yet his food in his stomach is turned. It is cobra bitterness within him.

15 He has swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again. AL will cast them out of his belly.

16He shall suck cobra poison. The viper's tongue shall slay him.

17 He shall not look at the rivers, the flowing streams of honey and butter.

18 That for which he labored he shall restore, and shall not swallow it down. According to the substance that he has gotten, he shall not enjoy.

19 For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor. He has violently seized a house that he did not build.

20"Because he knew no ease within him, he shall not save anything of that in which he delights.

21 There was nothing left that he didn't devour, therefore his prosperity shall not endure.

22 In the fullness of his sufficiency, distress shall overtake him. The hand of everyone who is in misery shall come on him.

23 When he is about to fill his belly, [AL/He] will cast the fierceness of his wrath on him. It will rain on him while he is eating.

24 He shall flee from the iron weapon. The bronze arrow shall strike him through.

25 He draws it forth, and it comes out of his body. Yes, the glittering point comes out of his liver. Terrors are on him.

26 All darkness is laid up for his treasures. An unfanned fire shall devour him. It shall consume that which is left in his tent.

27 The shama'ym shall reveal his iniquity. The earth shall rise up against him.

28 The increase of his house shall depart. They shall rush away in the day of his wrath.

29 This is the portion of a wicked man from ALUAH, the heritage appointed to him by AL."

CHAPTER 21

1 Then Ayub answered and said,

2 "Listen diligently to my speech. Let this be your comfort.

3 Allow me, and I also will speak; After I have spoken, mock on.

4 As for me, is my complaint to man? Why shouldn't I be impatient?

5 Look at me, and be astonished. Lay your hand on your mouth.

6 When I remember, I am troubled. Horror takes hold of my trembling flesh.

7 "Why do the wicked dwell, become old, and grow mighty in power?

8 Their seed is established with them in their sight, their offspring before their eyes.

9 Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of ALUAH upon them.

10 Their bulls breed without fail. Their cows calve, and don't miscarry.

11 They send forth their little ones like a flock. Their children dance.

12 They sing to the tambourine and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the flute.

13 They spend their days in prosperity. In an instant they go down to Sha'ul.

14 They tell AL, 'Depart from us, for we don't want to know about your ways.

15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? What profit should we have, if we pray to Him?'

16 Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand. The counsel of the wicked is far from me.

17 "How often is it that the lamp of the wicked is put out, that their calamity comes on them, that He distributes sorrows in his anger?

18 How often is it that they are as stubble before the wind, as chaff that the storm carries away?

19 You say, 'ALUAH lays up his iniquity for his children.' Let him recompense it to himself, that he may know it.

20 Let his own eyes see his destruction. Let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

21 For what is his delight in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off?

22 "Shall any teach AL knowledge, since He judges those who are exalted?

23 One dies in his full strength, being wholly at ease and content.

24 His pails are full of milk. The marrow of his bones is moistened.

25 Another dies in bitterness of being, and never tastes of good.

26 They lie down alike in the dust. The worm covers them.

27 "Behold, I know your thoughts, the devices with which you would wrong me.

28 For you say, 'Where is the house of the prince? Where is the tent in which the wicked dwell?’

29 Haven't you asked those passing by the way? Don't you know their signs,

30 that the wicked is reserved to the day of calamity, That they are led forth to the day of wrath?

31 Who shall declare his way to his face? Who shall repay him what he has done?

32 Yet he will be borne to the grave. and a watch is kept over the tomb.

33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet to him. All men shall draw after him, as there were innumerable before him.

34 So how can you comfort me with nonsense, because in your answers there remains only perverseness?”

CHAPTER 22

1 Then AL'yapaz the Tha'yaman'ya answered and said,

2 "Can a man be useful to AL? Surely he who is discerned is useful to himself.

3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that you are righteous? Or does it benefit him, that you make your ways complete?

4 Is it for your reverence that he reproves you, that he enters with you into right ruling?

5 Isn't your evil great? Neither is there any end to your iniquities.

6 For you have taken pledges from your brother for nothing, and stripped the naked of their clothing.

7 You haven't given water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry.

8 But as for the mighty man, he had the earth. The respectable man, he dwelled in it.

9 You have sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.

10 Therefore snares are around you. Sudden fear troubles you,

11 or darkness, so that you can not see, and floods of waters cover you.

12 "Isn't ALUAH in the heights of shama'ym? See the height of the stars, how high they are!

13 You say, 'What does AL know? Can he judge through the thick darkness?

14 Thick clouds are a covering to him, so that he doesn't see. He walks on the vault of the sky.'

15 Will you keep the old way, which wicked men have trodden,

16 who were snatched away before their time, whose foundation was poured out as a stream,

17 who said to AL, 'Depart from us;' and, 'What can the Almighty do for us?'

18 Yet He filled their houses with good, but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

19 The righteous see it, and are glad. The innocent ridicule them,

20 saying, 'Surely those who rose up against us are cut off. The fire has consumed the remnant of them.'

21 "Acquaint yourself with him, now, and be at shalam (peace). Thereby good shall come to you.

22 Please receive Thurah from His mouth, and lay up his words in your heart.

23 If you return to The Almighty, you shall be built up, if you put away unrighteousness far from your tents.

24 Lay your treasure in the dust, the gold of A'upar (A’oo’par) among the stones of the brooks.

25 The Almighty will be your treasure, and precious silver to you.

26 For then you will delight yourself in the Almighty, and shall lift up your face to ALUAH.

27 You shall make your prayer to Him, and He will hear you. You shall pay your vows.

28 You shall also decree a thing, and it shall be established to you. Light shall shine on your ways.

29 When they cast down, you shall say, 'be lifted up.' He will save the humble person.

30 He will even save the island of the innocent. Yes, he shall be saved through the cleanness of your hands."

CHAPTER 23

1 Then Ayub answered and said,

2 "Even today my complaint is bitter. His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning.

3 Oh that I knew where I might find Him! That I might come even to His Seat!

4 I would make my case in order before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would tell me.

6 Would He contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but He would listen to me.

7 There the upright might reason with Him, so I should be safe forever from my judge.

8 "If I go forward, He is not there; if backward, I can't find Him;

9 He works to the left, but I can't see Him. He turns right, but I can't catch a glimpse of Him.

10 But He knows the way that I take. When He has tried me, I shall come forth like gold.

11 My foot has held fast to His steps. I have kept His way, and not turned aside.

12 I haven't gone back from the commandment of His Lips. I have treasured up the words of His Mouth more than my necessary food.

13 But He stands alone, and who can oppose Him? What His Being desires, even that He does.

14 For He performs that which is appointed for me. Many of such are with Him.

15 Therefore I am terrified at his dwelling. When I consider, I am afraid of Him.

16 For AL has made my heart faint. The Almighty has alarmed me.

17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did he cover the thick darkness from my face.

CHAPTER 24

1 "Why aren't times laid up by the Almighty? Why don't those who know him see his days?

2 There are people who remove the landmarks. They violently take away flocks, and feed them.

3 They drive away the donkey of the fatherless, and they take the widow's ox for a pledge.

4 They turn the needy out of the way. The poor of the earth all hide themselves.

5 Behold, as wild donkeys in the desert, they go forth to their work, seeking diligently for food. The wilderness yields them bread for their children.

6 They cut their provender in the field. They glean the vineyard of the wicked.

7 They lie all night naked without clothing, and have no covering in the cold.

8 They are wet with the showers of the mountains, and embrace the rock for lack of a shelter.

9 There are those who pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor,

10 So that they go around naked without clothing. Being hungry, they carry the sheaves.

11 They make oil within the walls of these men. They tread wine presses, and suffer thirst.

12 From out of the populous city, men groan. The being of the wounded cries out, yet ALUAH doesn't regard the folly.

13 "These are of those who rebel against the light. They don't know its ways, nor stay in its paths.

14 The murderer rises with the light. He kills the poor and needy. In the night he is like a thief.

15 The eye also of the adulterer waits for the twilight, saying, 'No eye shall see me.' He disguises his face.

16 In the dark they dig through houses. They shut themselves up in the daytime. They don't know the light.

17 For the rising is to all of them like thick darkness, for they know the terrors of the thick darkness.

18 "They are foam on the surface of the waters. Their portion is cursed in the earth. They don't turn into the way of the vineyards.

19 Drought and heat consume the snow waters, so does Sha'ul those who have transgressed.

20 The womb shall forget him. The worm shall feed sweetly on him. He shall be no more remembered. Wickedness shall be broken as a tree.

21 He devours the barren who don't bear. He shows no kindness to the widow.

22 Yet [He] draws away the mighty by his power. He rises up who has no assurance of khaYah (life).

23 [He] gives them security, and they rest in it. His eyes are on their ways.

24 They are exalted; yet a little while, and they are gone. Yes, they are brought low, they are taken out of the way as all others, and are cut off as the tops of the ears of grain.

25 If it isn't so now, who will prove me a liar, and make my speech worth nothing?"

CHAPTER 25

1 Then Bal'dad the Shukha'ya answered and said,

2 "Rule and fear are with Him. He makes shalum (peace) in His high places.

3 Can His armies be counted? On whom does His light not arise?

4 How then can man be just with AL? Or how can he who is born of a woman be pure?

5 Behold, even the moon has no brightness, and the stars are not pure in his sight;

6 How much less man, who is a worm, son of man, who is a worm!"

CHAPTER 26

1 Then Ayub answered and said,

2 "How have you helped him who is without power! How have you saved the arm that has no strength!

3 How have you counseled him who has no discernment, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!

4 To whom have you uttered words? Whose breath came forth from you?

5 "Those who are deceased tremble, those beneath the waters and all that live in them.

6 Sha'ul is naked before [Him], and destruction has no covering.

7 He stretches out the north over empty space, and hangs the earth on nothing.

8 He binds up the waters in His thick clouds, and the cloud is not burst under them.

9 He encloses the face of His throne, and spreads His cloud on it.

10 He has described a boundary on the surface of the waters, and to the confines of light and darkness.

11 The columns of shama'ym tremble and are astonished at His rebuke.

12 He stirs up the sea with His power, and by His understanding He strikes through the proud.

13 By His RUKH the shama'ym are garnished. His Hand has pierced the fleeing serpent.

14 Behold, these are but the outskirts of His ways. How small a whisper do we hear of Him! But the thunder of His power, who can understand?"

CHAPTER 27

1 Ayub again took up his parable, and said,

2 "As AL Abides, who has taken away my right, The Almighty, who has made my being bitter.

3 For the length of my breath is still in me, and The RUKH OF ALUAH is in my nostrils;

4 surely my lips shall not speak unrighteousness, neither shall my tongue utter deceit.

5 Far be it from me that I should declare you right. Until I die I will not put away my integrity from me.

6 I hold fast to my righteousness, and will not let it go. My heart shall not reproach me so long as I dwell.

7 "Let my enemy be as the wicked. Let him who rises up against me be as the unrighteous.

8 For what is the expectancy of the defiled, when he is cut off, when ALUAH takes away his being?

9 Will AL hear his cry when trouble comes on him?

10 Will he delight himself in The Almighty, and call on ALUAH at all times?

11 I will teach you about the hand of AL. That which is with The Almighty will I not conceal.

12 Behold, all of you have seen it yourselves; why then have you become altogether vain?

13 "This is the portion of a wicked man with AL, the heritage of oppressors, which they receive from The Almighty.

14 If his children are multiplied, it is for the sword. His offspring shall not be satisfied with bread.

15 Those who remain of him shall be buried in death. His widows shall make no lamentation.

16 Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare clothing as the clay;

17 he may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver.

18 He builds his house as the moth, as a booth which the watchman makes.

19 He lies down rich, but he shall not do so again. He opens his eyes, and he is not.

20 Alarms overtake him like waters. A storm steals him away in the night.

21 The east wind carries him away, and he departs. It sweeps him out of his place.

22 For it hurls at him, and does not spare, as he flees away from his hand.

23 [He] shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.

CHAPTER 28

1 "Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold which they refine.

2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted out of the ore.

3 Man places an end to darkness, and searches out, to the furthest bound, the stones of obscurity and of thick darkness.

4 He breaks open a shaft away from where people dwell. They are forgotten by the foot. They hang far from men, they swing back and forth.

5 As for the earth, out of it comes bread; Underneath it is turned up as it were by fire.

6 Sapphires come from its rocks. It has dust of gold.

7 That path no bird of prey knows, neither has the falcon's eye seen it.

8 The proud animals have not trodden it, nor has the fierce lion passed by there.

9 He puts forth his hand on the flinty rock, and he overturns the mountains by the roots.

10 He cuts out channels among the rocks. His eye sees every precious thing.

11 He binds the streams that they don't trickle. The thing that is hidden he brings forth to light.

12 "But where shall discernment be found? Where is the place of understanding?

13 Man doesn't know its price; Neither is it found in the land of the living.

14 The deep says, 'It isn't in me.' The sea says, 'It isn't with me.'

15 It can't be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for its price.

16 It can't be valued with the gold of A'upar, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

17 Gold and glass can't equal it, neither shall it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.

18 No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal. Yes, the price of discernment is above rubies.

19 The topaz of Kush (Koosh) shall not equal it, Neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

20 Where then does discernment come from? Where is the place of understanding?

21 Seeing it is hidden from the eyes of all living, and concealed from the birds of the sky.

22 Destruction and death say, 'We have heard a report of it with our ears.'

23 "ALUAH understands its way, and He knows its place.

24 For He looks to the ends of the earth, and sees under the whole sky.

25 Establishing the force of the wind, measuring out the waters by measure.

26 When He made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder;

27 then He saw and declared it. He established it, and searched it out.

28 To man He said, 'Behold, the fear of The Sovereign, that is discernment. To depart from evil is understanding.'"

CHAPTER 29

1 Ayub again took up his parable, and said,

2 "Oh that I were as in the moons of old, as in the days when ALUAH watched over me;

3 when His lamp shone on my head, and by His light I walked through darkness,

4 as I was in the ripeness of my days, when the friendship of ALUAH was in my tent,

5 when The Almighty was yet with me, and my children were around me,

6 when my steps were bated with butter, and the rock poured out streams of oil for me,

7 when I went forth to the city gate, when I prepared my seat in the street.

8 The young men saw me and hid themselves. The aged rose up and stood.

9 The princes refrained from talking, and laid their hand on their mouth.

10 The voice of the nobles was hushed, and their tongue stuck to the roof of their mouth.

11 For when the ear heard, then it pleased me; and when the eye saw me, it commended me:

12 Because I rescued the poor who cried, and the fatherless also, who had none to help him,

13 The Barak’ath of him who was ready to perish came on me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.

14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me. My right ruling was as a cloak and turban.

15 I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame.

16 I was a father to the needy. The cause of him who I didn't know, I searched out.

17 I broke the jaws of the unrighteous, and plucked the prey out of his teeth.

18 Then I said, 'I shall die in my own house, I shall number my days as the sand.

19 My root is spread out to the waters. The dew lies all night on my branch.

20 My esteem is fresh within me. and my bow is renewed in my hand.'

21 “They listened to me, waited, and kept silence for my counsel.

22 After my words they didn't speak again. My speech fell on them.

23 They waited for me as for the rain. Their mouths drank as with the spring rain.

24 I smiled on them when they had no confidence. They didn't reject the light of my face.

25 I chose out their way, and sat as chief. I lived as a sovereign in the army, as one who comforts the mourners.

CHAPTER 30

1 "But now those who are younger than I have me in mockery, whose fathers I would have disdained to put with my sheep dogs.

2 Of what use is the strength of their hands to me, men in whom ripe age has perished?

3 They are dried up from lack and famine. They gnaw the dry ground, in the gloom of waste and desolation.

4 They pluck salt herbs by the bushes. The roots of the broom are their food.

5 They are driven out from the midst of men. They cry after them as after a thief;

6 So that they dwell in frightful valleys, and in holes of the earth and of the clefts.

7 Among the bushes they cry out; and under the nettles they are gathered together.

8 They are sons of fools, sons of vile men. They were flogged out of the land.

9 "Now I have become their song, and I am a byword to them.

10 They abhor me, they stand far from me, and don't hesitate to spit in my face.

11 For He has untied his cord, and afflicted me; and they have thrown off restraint before me.

12 On my right hand rise the rabble. They thrust aside my feet, They cast up against me their ways of destruction.

13 They’ve broken up my path, They promote my calamity, without anyone's help.

14 As through a wide breach they come, in the midst of the ruin they roll themselves in.

15 Calamities have turned on me. They chase my esteem as the wind. My welfare has passed away as a cloud.

16 "Now my being is poured out within me. Days of affliction have taken hold on me.

17 In the night season my bones are pierced in me, and the pains that gnaw me take no rest.

18 By great force is my garment disfigured. It binds me about as the collar of my coat.

19 He has thrown me into the mire, and I have become like dust and ashes.

20 I cry to You, and You do not answer me. I stand up, and You gaze at me.

21 You have turned to be cruel to me. With the might of Your hand You persecute me.

22 You lift me up to the wind, and drive me with it. You dissolve me in the storm.

23 For I know that You will bring me to death, To the house appointed for all living.

24 "However doesn't one stretch out a hand in his fall? Or in his calamity therefore cry for help?

25 Didn't I weep for him who was in trouble? Wasn't my being grieved for the needy?

26 When I looked for good, then evil came; When I waited for light, there came darkness.

27 My inward parts are troubled, and can't rest. Days of affliction have come on me.

28 I go mourning, but not [by] the sun. I stand up in the assembly, and cry for help.

29 I am a brother to jackals, and a companion to ostriches.

30 My skin grows black upon me, and my bones are burned with heat.

31 Therefore my harp has turned to mourning, and my flute into the sound of weeping.

CHAPTER 31

1 "I made a Bar’yath (covenant) to my eyes, how then should I look upon a young woman?

2 For what is the portion from ALUAH above, and the heritage from The Almighty on high?

3 Is it not calamity to the unrighteous, and disaster to the workers of iniquity?

4 Doesn't He see my ways, and number all my steps?

5 "If I have walked with falsehood, and my foot has hurried to deceit

6 let me be weighed in an even balance, that ALUAH may know my integrity;

7 If my step has turned out of the way, if my heart walked after my eyes, if any blemish has stuck to my hands,

8 then let me sow, and let another eat. And let the produce of my field be rooted out.

9 "If my heart has been enticed to a woman, and I have laid wait at my neighbor's door,

10 then let my wife grind for another, and let others bow down over her.

11 For that would be a heinous crime. Yes, it would be an iniquity deserving judgment:

12 For it is a fire that consumes to destruction, and would root out all my increase.

13 "If I have despised the cause of my male servant or of my female servant, when they contended with me;

14 What then shall I do when AL rises up? When He visits, what shall I answer Him?

15 Didn't He who made me in the womb make him? Didn't 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 alone, and the fatherless has not eaten of it

18 but, from my youth he grew up with me as with a father, her have I guided from my mother's womb;

19 if I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or that the needy had no covering;

20 if his loins haven't Barak me, if he hasn't been warmed with my sheep's fleece;

21 if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help in the gate,

22 then let my arm fall from my shoulder, and my arm be broken from the bone.

23 For calamity from AL is a terror to me. Because His Excellence, I can not escape.

24 "If I have made gold my trust, and have said to the fine gold, 'You are my confidence;'

25 If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gotten much;

26 if I have seen the sun when it shined, or the moon moving in brightness,

27 and my heart has been secretly enticed, and my hand threw a kiss from my mouth,

28 this also would be an iniquity to be punishable by judgment; for I would have denied to AL who is above.

29 "If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him;

30 I have not allowed my mouth to transgress by asking his being with a curse;

31 if the men of my tent have not said, 'Who can find one who has not been filled with his meat?'

32 the sojourner has not lodged in the street, but I have opened my doors to the traveler;

33 if like Adam I have covered my transgressions, by hiding my iniquity in my bosom,

34 because I feared the great multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silence, and didn't go out of the door—

35 oh that I had one to hear me! behold, my signature, let the Almighty answer me; let the accuser write my indictment!

36 Surely I would carry it on my shoulder; and I would bind it to me as a crown.

37 I would declare to him the number of my steps, as a prince would I go near to him.

38 If my land cries out against me, and its furrows weep together;

39 if I have eaten its fruits without silver, or have caused its owners to lose their being,

40 let thistles grow instead of wheat, and useless weed instead of barley." The words of Ayub are ended.

CHAPTER 32

1 So these three men ceased to answer Ayub, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

2 Then the wrath of AL'Yahu’a* son of Barak'AL, the Buz'ya (Booz’ya), of the family of Ram, was kindled against Ayub. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than ALUAH. *See Note On Verse 4

3 Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Ayub.

4 Now AL'Yahu* had waited to speak to Ayub, because they were elder than he.

*In the Masoretic text, some passages include his name with the AL 𐤀 at the end, while others, like this one, exclude it. His name means He Is My AL. For this reason, we will note his name as it appears in the interlinear.

5 And when AL'Yahu’a saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.

6 So AL'Yahu’a son of Barak'AL the Buz'ya answered, "I am young, and you are very old; Therefore I held back, and didn't dare show you my opinion.

7 I said, 'Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach discernment.’

8 Truly there is a rukh in man, and the breath of The Almighty gives them understanding.

9 It is not the great who are discerned, nor the aged who understand right ruling.

10 Therefore I said, 'Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.'

11 "Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.

12 Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Ayub, or who answered his words, among you.

13 Beware lest you say, 'We have found discernment, AL may refute him, not man;'

14 for he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.

15 "They are amazed. They answer no more. They don't have a word to say.

16 Shall I wait, because they don't speak, because they stand still, and answer no more?

17 I also will answer my part, and I also will show my opinion.

18 For I am full of words. The rukh within me presses me.

19 Behold, my inward parts is like wine which has no vent; like new wineskins, ready to burst.

20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.

21 Please, let me not show partiality to anyone, neither will I give flattering titles to any man.

22 For I don't know how to flatter; or else My Maker would soon take me away.

CHAPTER 33

1 "However, Ayub, please hear my speech, and listen to all my words.

2 See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth.

3 My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.

4 THE RUKH OF AL has made me, and the Breath of The Almighty gives me khaYah (life).

5 If you can, answer me. Place your words in order before me, and stand forth.

6 Behold, I am toward AL even as you are. I am also formed out of the clay.

7 Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid, neither shall my pressure be heavy on you.

8 "Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,

9 'I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.

10 Behold, he finds occasions against me. He counts me for his enemy.

11 He puts my feet in the stocks. He marks all my paths.'

12 "Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not righteous, for ALUAH is greater than man.

13 Why do you strive against Him, because He doesn't give account of any of His matters?

14 For AL speaks once, yes twice, though one pays no attention.

15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed;

16 Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,

17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

18 He keeps back his being from the pit, and his khaYah (life) from perishing by the sword.

19 He is chastened also with pain on his bed, with continual strife in his bones;

20 So that his khaYah (life) abhors bread, and his being dainty food.

21 His flesh is so consumed away, that it can't be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out.

22 Yes, his being draws near to the pit, and his khaYah (life) to the destroyers.

23 "If there is beside him a messenger, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him;

24 then He shows favor to him, and says, ‘Redeem him from going down to the pit, I have found an atonement.’

25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's. He returns to the days of his youth.

26 He prays to ALUAH, and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy. He restores to man his righteousness.

27 He sings before men, and says, 'I have transgressed, and perverted that which was right, and it didn't profit me.

28 He has redeemed my being from going into the pit. My khaYah (life) shall see the light.'

29 "Behold, AL works all these, twice, yes three times, with a man,

30 to bring back his being from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.

31 Listen well, Ayub, and listen to me. Keep silent, and I will speak.

32 If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to declare you right.

33 If not, listen to me. Keep silent, and I will teach you discernment.”

CHAPTER 34

1 Moreover AL'Yahu’a answered and said,

2 "Hear my words, you discerned men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.

3 For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.

4 Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.

5 For Ayub has said, 'I am righteous, but AL has taken away my right:

6 Would I lie concerning my right? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’

7 What man is like Ayub, who drinks scorn like water,

8 Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men?

9 For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with ALUAH.'

10 "Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from AL, that he should do wickedness, from The Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

11 For the work of a man He will render to him, and cause every man to find according to His ways.

12 Yes surely, AL will not do wickedly, neither will The Almighty pervert right ruling.

13 Who put Him in charge of the earth? or who has appointed Him over the whole world?

14 If He places His heart on himself, If he gathered to Himself His RUKH and His breath,

15 all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.

16 "If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.

17 Shall even one who hates right ruling govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?—

18 Who says to a sovereign, 'Vile!,’ to nobles, 'Wicked!'?

19 Who doesn't respect the persons of princes, nor respects the rich more than the poor; for they all are the work of His hands.

20 In a moment they die, even in the middle of the night. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand.

21 "For His eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.

22 There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

23 For He doesn't need to consider a man further, that he should go before AL in right ruling.

24 He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, and places others in their place.

25 Therefore He takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are crushed.

26 He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;

27 because they turned aside from following Him, and wouldn't pay attention to any of His ways,

28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him, for He hears the cry of the afflicted.

29 When He is silent, who then can condemn? And when He hides his face, who then can see him? Alike whether to a nation, or to a man,

30 that the defiled one may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.

31 "For has any said to AL, 'I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.

32 Teach me that which I don't see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?

33 Shall His recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.

34 Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every discerned man who hears me:

35 'Ayub speaks without knowledge. His words are without discernment.’

36 Would that Ayub were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.

37 For he adds rebellion to his transgression. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against AL."

CHAPTER 35

1 Moreover AL'Yahu answered and said,

2 "Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, 'My righteousness is more than that of AL,'

3 That you ask, 'What advantage will it be to you? What profit shall I have, more than if I had transgressed?'

4 I will answer you, and your companions with you.

5 Look to the shama'ym, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you.

6 If you have transgressed, what effect do you have against Him? If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to Him?

7 If you are righteous, what do you give Him? Or what does He receive from your hand?

8 Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are, and your righteousness may profit a son of man.

9 "By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out. They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.

10 But none says, 'Where Is ALUAH My Maker, who gives songs in the night,

11 who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us more discerned than the birds of the sky?'

12 There they cry, but none gives answer, because of the pride of evil ones.

13 Surely AL will not hear an empty cry, neither will The Almighty regard it.

14 How much less when you say you don't see Him. The cause is before Him, and you wait for Him!

15 But now, because He has not visited in His anger, neither does He greatly regard arrogance.

16 Therefore Ayub opens his mouth in vain, and he multiplies words without knowledge."

CHAPTER 36

1 AL'Yahu’a also continued, and said,

2 "Bear with me a little, and I will show you; for I still have something to say for ALUAH.

3 I will get my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to My Maker.

4 For truly my words are not false. One who is complete in knowledge is with you.

5 "Behold, AL is mighty and doesn't despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of heart.

6 He doesn't preserve the khaYah (life) of the wicked, but gives to the afflicted their right.

7 He doesn't withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with sovereigns on the throne, he places them forever, and they are exalted.

8 If they are bound in shackles, and are taken in the cords of afflictions,

9 then He shows them their work, and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.

10 He also opens their ears to instruction, and commands that they return from iniquity.

11 If they listen and serve him, they shall spend their days in pleasantness, and their years in pleasures.

12 But if they don't listen, they shall perish by the sword; they shall die without knowledge.

13 "But those who are defiled in heart lay up anger. They don't cry for help when he binds them.

14 They die in youth. Their khaYah (lives) perish among the cult prostitutes.

15 He rescues the afflicted by their affliction, and opens their ear in oppression.

16 And He would have allured you out of distress, into a broad place, where there is no restriction. That which is placed on your table would be full of fatness.

17 "But you are full of the right ruling of the wicked. Judgment and right ruling take hold of you.

18 Beware, don't let rage entice you to scoffing, neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.

19 Would your wealth sustain you in distress, or all the might of your strength?

20 Don't desire the night, when people are cut off in their place.

21 Take heed, don't regard iniquity; for you have chosen this rather than affliction.

22 Behold, AL is exalted in his power. Who is a Teacher like him?

23 Who has prescribed His way for Him? Or who can say, 'You have committed unrighteousness?'

24 "Remember that you extol His work, whereof men have sung.

25 All men have looked thereon. Man sees it afar off.

26 Behold, AL Is Great, and we don’t know or can discover the number of His years.

27 For He draws up the drops of water, which distill in rain from his vapor,

28 Which the skies pour down and which drop on man abundantly.

29 Yes, can any understand the spreading of the clouds, and the thunderings of his pavilion?

30 Behold, He spreads His light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea.

31 For by these He judges the people. He gives food in abundance.

32 He covers His hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike.

33 Its noise tells about Him, and the livestock also concerning the storm that comes up.

CHAPTER 37

1 “Also, at this my heart trembles, and leaps out of its place.

2 Hear, oh, hear the noise of his voice, the sound that goes out of his mouth.

3 He sends it forth under the whole sky, and his lightning to the ends of the earth.

4 After it a voice roars. He thunders with the voice of His Excellence. He doesn't hold back anything when His Voice is heard.

5 AL thunders marvelously with His Voice. He does great, which we cannot comprehend.

6 For He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,’ also to the shower of rain, and to the showers of His mighty rain.

7 He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he has made may know it.

8 Then the beasts take cover, and remain in their dens.

9 Out of its room comes the storm, and cold out of the north.

10 By The Breath OF AL, ice is given, and the breadth of the waters is frozen.

11 Yes, he loads the thick cloud with moisture. He spreads abroad the cloud of his lightning.

12 It is turned around by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them on the surface of the habitable world,

13 Whether it is for correction, or for his land, or for loving kindness, that he causes it to come.

14 "Listen to this, Ayub. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of AL.

15 Do you know how ALUAH controls them, and causes the lightning of His cloud to shine?

16 Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of Him who is complete in knowledge?

17 You whose clothing is warm, when the earth is still by reason of the south wind?

18 Can you, with Him, spread out the sky, which is strong as a cast metal mirror?

19 Teach us what we shall tell him, for we can't make our case by reason of darkness.

20 Shall it be told Him that I would speak? Or should a man want that he were swallowed up?

21 And now, men don't see the light which is bright in the skies, but the wind passes, and clears them.

22 Out of the north comes golden splendor. With ALUAH is awesome excellency.

23 We cannot find out The Almighty. He is exalted in power. In right ruling and great righteousness, He will not oppress.

24 Therefore men revere him. He doesn't regard any who are discerned of heart."

CHAPTER 38

1 Then 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) answered Ayub out of the whirlwind and said,

2 "Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

3 Brace yourself like a man, for I will question you, then you answer Me!

4 "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding.

5 Who determined its measures, if you know? Or who stretched the line on it?

6 Whereupon were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone,

7 when the rising stars sang together, and all the sons of ALUAH shouted for joy?

8 "Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it broke forth from the womb,

9 when I made clouds its garment, and wrapped it in thick darkness,

10 marked out for it My bound, placed bars and doors,

11 and said, 'Here you may come, but no further. Here your proud waves shall be stayed?'

12 "Have you commanded the rising, and caused the dawn to know its place;

13 that it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and shake the wicked out of it?

14 It is changed as clay under the seal, and stands forth as a garment.

15 From the wicked, their light is withheld. The high arm is broken.

16 "Have you entered into the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in the recesses of the deep?

17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the gates of the shadow of death?

18 Have you comprehended the earth in its breadth? Declare, if you know it all.

19 "What is the way to the dwelling of light? As for darkness, where is its place,

20 that you should take it to its bound, that you should discern the paths to its house?

21 Surely you know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great!

22 Have you entered the treasuries of the snow, or have you seen the treasures of the hail,

23 which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?

24 By what way is the lightning distributed, or the east wind scattered on the earth?

25 Who has cut a channel for the flood water, or the path for the thunderstorm;

26 To cause it to rain on a land where no one is; on the wilderness, in which there is no man;

27 to satisfy the waste and desolate ground, to cause the tender grass to spring forth?

28 Does the rain have a father? Or who fathers the drops of dew?

29 Out of whose womb came the ice? The gray frost of the sky, who has given birth to it?

30 The waters become hard like stone, when the surface of the deep is frozen.

31 "Can you bind the cluster of the Kayamah, or loosen the cords of Kas'yal?

32 Can you lead forth the constellations in their season? Or can you guide the Ayash with its cubs?

33 Do you know the laws of the shama'ym? Can you establish its rule over the earth?

34 "Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover you?

35 Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go? Do they report to you, 'Here we are?'

36 Who has put discernment in the inward parts? Or who has given understanding to the mind?

37 Who can count the clouds by discernment? Or who can pour out the bottles of the sky,

38 when the dust runs into a mass, and the clods of earth stick together?

39 "Can you hunt the prey for the lioness, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,

40 when they crouch in their dens, and lie in wait in the thicket?

41 Who provides for the raven his prey, when his young ones cry to AL, and wander for lack of food?

CHAPTER 39

1 "Do you know the time when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears fawns?

2 Can you number the moons that they fulfill? Or do you know the time when they give birth?

3 They bow themselves, they bring forth their young, they end their labor pains.

4 Their young ones become strong. They grow up in the open field. They go forth, and don't return again.

5 "Who has made the wild donkey free? Or who has loosened the bonds of the swift donkey,

6 Whose home I have made the desert, and the salt land his dwelling place?

7 He scorns the tumult of the city, neither does he hear the shouting of the driver.

8 The range of the mountains is his pasture, He searches after every green thing.

9 "Will the rhinoceros* be content to serve you? Or will he stay by your feeding trough?

10 Can you hold the rhinoceros* in the furrow with his harness? Or will he till the valleys after you?

*Some translations use the words unicorn or wild ox. However, the 1598 Latin Vulgate reads rinoceros in verse 9 and rinocerota in verse 10. Noah Webster’s Dictionary 1828 Edition lists unicorn and rhinoceros as synonymous. Therefore, this version will use the restored Yahud’yath translation of raam or rayam to mean rhinoceros.

11 Will you trust him, because his strength is great? Or will you leave to him your labor?

12 Will you confide in him, that he will bring home your seed, and gather the grain of your threshing floor?

13 "The wings of the ostrich wave proudly; but are they the feathers and plumage of love?

14 For she leaves her eggs on the earth, warms them in the dust,

15 and forgets that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may trample them.

16 She deals harshly with her young ones, as if they were not hers. Though her labor is in vain, she is without fear,

17 because ALUAH has deprived her of discernment, neither has He imparted to her understanding.

18 When she lifts up herself on high, she scorns the horse and his rider.

19 "Have you given the horse might? Have you clothed his neck with a quivering mane?

20 Have you made him to leap as a locust? The splendor of his snorting is awesome.

21 He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength. He gallops to meet the armed men.

22 He mocks at fear, and is not dismayed, neither does he turn back from the sword.

23 The quiver rattles against him, the flashing spear and the javelin.

24 He eats up the ground with fierceness and rage, neither does he stand still at the sound of the ram’s horn.

25 As often as the ram’s horn sounds he snorts, 'Aha!' He smells the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

26 "Is it by your discernment that the hawk soars, and stretches her wings toward the south?

27 Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up, and makes his nest on high?

28 On the cliff it abides, and makes his home, on the point of the cliff, and the stronghold.

29 From there it spies out the prey. Its eyes see it afar off.

30 Its young ones also suck up blood. Where the slain are, there it is."

CHAPTER 40

1 Moreover 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) answered Ayub and said,

2 "Shall he who argues contend with the Almighty? He who argues with ALUAH, let him answer it."

3 Then Ayub answered 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) and said,

4 "Behold, I am of small account. What shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.

5 I have spoken once, and I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further."

6 Then 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) answered Ayub out of the whirlwind and said,

7 "Now brace yourself like a man. I will question you, and you will answer Me.

8 Will you even annul My right ruling? Will you condemn Me, that you might be declared righteous?

9 Or do you have an arm like AL? Can you thunder with a voice like Him?

10 "Now deck yourself with excellency and grandeur. Array yourself with esteem and splendor.

11 Pour out the fury of your anger. Look at everyone who is proud, and bring him low.

12 Look at everyone who is proud, and humble him. Crush the wicked in their place.

13 Hide them in the dust together. Bind their faces in the hidden place.

14 Then I will also admit to you that your own right hand can save you.

15 "See now, Ba'ah'muth, which I made as well as you. He eats grass as an ox.

16 Look now, his strength is in his thighs. His force is in the muscles of his belly.

17 He moves his tail like a cedar. The sinews of his thighs are knit together.

18 His bones are like tubes of bronze. His limbs are like bars of iron.

19 He is the chief of the ways of AL. He who made him gives him his sword.

20 Surely the mountains produce food for him, where all the beasts of the field play.

21 He lies under the lotus trees, in the covert of the reed, and the marsh.

22 The lotuses cover him with their shade. The willows of the brook surround him.

23 Behold, if a river rages, he doesn't tremble. He is confident, though the Yardan swells even to his mouth.

24 Shall any take him when he is on the watch, or pierce through his nose with a snare?

CHAPTER 41

1 "Can you draw out Lu'yathan with a fishhook, or press down his tongue with a cord?

2 Can you put a rope through his nose, or pierce his jaw through with a hook?

3 Will he make many petitions to you, or will he speak soft words to you?

4 Will he make a Bar’yath (covenant) with you, that you should take him for a servant forever?

5 Will you play with him as with a bird? Or will you bind him for your girls?

6 Will traders barter for him? Will they part him among the merchants?

7 Can you fill his skin with barbed irons, or his head with fish spears?

8 Lay your hand on him. Remember the battle, and do so no more.

9 Behold, the expectation of him is in vain. Won't one be cast down even at the sight of him?

10 None is so fierce that he dare stir him up. Who then is he who can stand against Me?

11 Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Everything under the shama'ym is mine.

12 "I will not keep silent concerning his limbs, nor his mighty strength, nor his goodly frame.

13 Who will take off the surface of his skin? Who approaches him with a double bridle?

14 Who can open the doors of his face? Around his teeth is frightening.

15 Strong scales are his pride, shut up together with a close seal.

16 One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.

17 They are joined one to another. They stick together, so that they can't be pulled apart.

18 His sneezing flashes out light. His eyes are like the eyelids of the rising.

19 Out of his mouth go burning torches. SpArks of fire leap forth.

20 Out of his nostrils smoke goes, as of a cooking pot over a fire of reeds.

21 His breath kindles coals. A flame goes forth from his mouth.

22 There is strength in his neck. Terror dances before him.

23 The flakes of his flesh are joined together. They are firm on him. They can't be moved.

24 His heart is as firm as a stone, yes, firm as the lower millstone.

25 When he raises himself up, the mighty are afraid. They retreat before his thrashing.

26 If one attacks him with the sword, it can't prevail; nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft.

27 He counts iron as straw; and bronze as rotten wood.

28 The arrow can't make him flee. Sling stones are like chaff to him.

29 Clubs are counted as stubble. He laughs at the rushing of the javelin.

30 His undersides are like sharp potsherds, leaving a trail in the mud like a threshing sledge.

31 He makes the deep to cook like a pot. He makes the sea like a pot of ointment.

32 He makes a path shine after him. One would think the deep had gray hair.

33 On earth there is not his equal, that is made without fear.

34 He sees everything that is high. He is sovereign over all the sons of pride."

CHAPTER 42

1 Then Ayub answered 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) and said,

2"I know that You can do all, and that no purpose of Yours can be restrained.

3 'Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?' therefore I have uttered that which I did not understand, too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

4 'Listen, now, and I will speak; I will question You, and You will answer me.'

5 I had heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You.

6 Therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes."

7 And it was so, that after 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) had spoken these words to Ayub, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) said to AL'yapaz the Tha'yaman'ya, "My wrath is kindled against you, and against your two friends; for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Ayub has.

8 Now therefore, take to yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Ayub, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Ayub shall pray for you, for I will accept him, that I not punish you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Ayub has."

9 So AL'yapaz the Tha'yaman'ya and Bal'dad the Shukha'ya and Tsu'par the Naa'matha'ya went, and did what 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) commanded them, and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) accepted the face of Ayub.

10 And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) turned the captivity of Ayub, when he prayed for his friends. 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) gave Ayub twice as much as he had before.

11 Then came there to him all his brothers, and all his sisters, and all those who had been of his acquaintance before, and ate bread with him in his house. They comforted him, and consoled him concerning all the evil that 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) had brought on him. Everyone also gave him a piece of silver, and everyone a ring of gold.

12 So 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH) Barak the latter end of Ayub more than his beginning. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand female donkeys.

13 He had also seven sons and three daughters.

14 He called the name of the first, Yam’yam’ah; and the name of the second, Qats’ya’ah; and the name of the third, Qaran Hapuk.

15 In all the land were no women found so beautiful as the daughters of Ayub. Their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers.

16 After this Ayub dwelled one hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, to four generations.

17 So Ayub died, old and full of days.