Job

Job, a perfect and upright man who feared God, had seven sons, three daughters, and great wealth. His sons would often feast together, and Job would offer burnt offerings for them, fearing they may have sinned. Satan appeared before God, who praised Job's righteousness, but Satan claimed Job only feared God because God had blessed and protected him. God allowed Satan to test Job by taking away his possessions, but not harming him. Job's oxen, sheep, camels, and children were then destroyed in a series of disasters, but Job still worshiped God, saying the Lord gave and took away, and blessed God's name.

Satan appears before the Lord again, and the Lord asks him about his activities on earth. Satan responds that he has been roaming the earth, and the Lord asks if he has considered Job, a perfect and upright man who fears God and eschews evil. Satan claims that Job will curse God if his health is taken away, and the Lord allows Satan to afflict Job with boils, but not to take his life. Job's wife tells him to curse God and die, but Job refuses, and his three friends come to mourn and comfort him, sitting with him in silence for seven days.

Job curses the day he was born, wishing it had been a day of darkness and death, and that he had never been born. He laments that he did not die at birth, and that he must now suffer in life. Job wonders why the miserable and the wicked are given life, and why he must continue to live in suffering when death would bring him rest.

Eliphaz tells Job that he has helped many people in the past, but now that he is suffering, he is fainting and troubled. Eliphaz questions whether Job's fear and confidence in God have been shaken, and asks if any innocent person has ever perished. He claims that those who do evil will be punished by God, and that even the strongest will eventually perish. Eliphaz then shares a mysterious vision he had in which a spirit appeared to him, and a voice asked if a mortal man can be more just than God.

Job's friend Eliphaz says that the wicked will be punished and the righteous will be rewarded, and that God is the one who brings both prosperity and affliction. Eliphaz advises Job to seek God and commit his cause to Him, as God is the one who can deliver him from trouble. He notes that God corrects those He loves and that those who are corrected by God are blessed. Eliphaz also says that God will protect Job from harm and that he will live a long and peaceful life, with many descendants.

Job laments that his grief is so immense it cannot be measured, and he feels the weight of God's terrors against him. He questions why he must suffer when he has done nothing wrong, and wishes for death as a means of escape from his pain. Job also expresses his disappointment and frustration with his friends, who have failed to provide him with comfort or support, instead offering empty words and accusations. He challenges them to provide a valid reason for his suffering, and to teach him where he has erred, but asserts that their words are meaningless and only serve to overwhelm him.

Job laments the brevity and hardship of human life, comparing it to the fleeting nature of a servant's time on earth. He expresses his own suffering and desperation, feeling that God is watching over him and tormenting him with bad dreams and visions. Job questions why God is so concerned with him, a mere mortal, and asks why he won't pardon his transgressions and take away his iniquity.

Bildad tells Job that God does not pervert justice and if Job's children sinned, they were punished for their transgression. Bildad advises Job to seek God and make supplication if he is pure and upright, and God will prosper him. He notes that those who forget God will perish and their hope will be cut off, but God will not cast away a perfect man and will ultimately bring joy and rejoicing to the righteous.

Job acknowledges God's power and wisdom, but feels he cannot justify himself before God, as God's ways are beyond human understanding. Job believes that even if he were righteous, he would not be able to answer God's accusations, and that God's power is so great that no one can hinder Him. Job feels that God is treating him unfairly, and that he is being punished without cause, and that there is no mediator between him and God to plead his case.

Job laments his life and questions God's actions, asking why He oppresses and despises him despite being innocent. Job acknowledges God's power and creation, but wonders why He destroys him after forming him. Job feels hunted by God and overwhelmed by his afflictions, wishing he had never been born or had died at birth. He longs for comfort and respite, knowing his days are few before he enters the land of darkness and death.

Zophar responds to Job, suggesting that his many words should be answered and that his lies should not go unchallenged. Zophar believes that God would speak against Job if He chose to, revealing the secrets of wisdom that are beyond human understanding. He argues that God's ways are too great for humans to comprehend and that He sees all wickedness. Zophar advises Job to prepare his heart, put away iniquity, and seek God, promising that if he does, he will be secure and at peace.

Job responds to his friends, saying they are not the only ones with wisdom, and that he has understanding as well. He notes that the wicked often prosper, while the righteous are scorned, but ultimately, God is in control of all things. Job emphasizes God's power and wisdom, stating that He can bring about both prosperity and destruction, and that He is the one who gives and takes away understanding and strength.

Job asserts his understanding is equal to that of his friends and desires to reason with God. He criticizes his friends for speaking deceitfully on God's behalf and warns them that God will reprove them for accepting persons. Job declares his trust in God despite the possibility of death and asks God to reveal his iniquities and transgressions, questioning why God treats him as an enemy.

Man's life is short and filled with trouble, and he is powerless to bring anything clean out of his own unclean nature. His days are determined by God, and he cannot escape his appointed bounds. Unlike a tree that can sprout again after being cut down, man dies and does not come back to life. Job longs for a reprieve from God's wrath and wonders if man can live again after death, but acknowledges that God's power prevails over humanity.

Eliphaz rebukes Job, saying that his words are unprofitable and that he has cast off fear and prayer before God. Eliphaz questions Job's wisdom and knowledge, suggesting that he is not unique or special in his understanding. He then describes the wickedness of humanity, stating that even the heavens are not clean in God's sight, and that the wicked will suffer pain and trouble throughout their lives. Eliphaz warns that those who trust in vanity will be deceived and ultimately destroyed.

Job tells his friends that their words of comfort have been unhelpful and that he could easily turn their words back on them if he chose to. Despite his friends' attempts to console him, Job's grief remains unassuaged, and he feels that God has turned against him, delivering him into the hands of the wicked. Job maintains his innocence, stating that his suffering is not a result of any wrongdoing on his part, and he longs for someone to plead his case before God.

Job laments his suffering and impending death, feeling that his days are numbered and his body is weak. He believes that God has hidden the truth from his friends, who speak flattery and offer no genuine comfort. Job asserts that the righteous will ultimately prevail, but he cannot find any wise or innocent people among his friends. He expresses his despair and loss of hope, feeling that death and the grave are his only prospects.

Bildad responds to Job, saying that the wicked will ultimately be punished and destroyed, their strength and power will be taken away, and they will be consumed by terrors and destruction. The wicked will be driven from light into darkness and will have no legacy or remembrance. Their dwellings will be desolate and they will be forgotten.

Job laments that his friends have repeatedly reproached him, and despite his cries for help, God seems to have turned against him, causing his suffering and isolation. Job feels that God has destroyed his life, taken away his dignity, and caused his loved ones to turn against him. Despite his suffering, Job affirms his faith, declaring that he knows his redeemer lives and will one day stand on the earth, and that he will see God with his own eyes. Job warns his friends to be afraid of God's judgment, which will bring punishment for their actions.

Zophar responds to Job, stating that the wicked may seem to prosper, but their triumph is short-lived and they will ultimately perish. Their wealth and power will not last, and they will be punished for their wickedness, with their own bodies turning against them and their riches being taken away. The wicked will not find peace or satisfaction, and their downfall will be swift and complete, a punishment from God for their oppression of the poor and their violent ways.

Job questions why the wicked often live long, prosperous lives, while the righteous suffer, and argues that their wealth and power do not last. He notes that the wicked may die in their prime, while others die in bitterness, but ultimately they all end up in the same place - the grave. Job also rebukes his friends for their empty comfort and false claims that the wicked are punished in this life, when in fact they often seem to thrive.

Eliphaz accuses Job of being wicked and sinful, citing his treatment of the poor and vulnerable, and claims that God does not take pleasure in Job's righteousness. Eliphaz argues that God is far above human affairs and that Job's suffering is a result of his own wickedness. He urges Job to return to God, put away his iniquity, and seek God's law and words, promising that if Job does so, he will be built up, have plenty of wealth, and God will be his defense.

Job expresses his desire to find God and plead his case before Him, but God seems elusive and hidden. Despite this, Job is confident that he has followed God's ways and obeyed His commands. Job acknowledges God's sovereignty and power, and that He does as He pleases, which fills Job with fear and trouble.

The wicked prosper and commit injustices, such as stealing from the poor and vulnerable, while the righteous suffer. They exploit the needy and ignore the ways of God, often hiding their evil deeds in darkness. Their fate is ultimately one of destruction and being forgotten, despite their temporary prosperity.

Bildad asserts that God's power and authority are beyond human comprehension, and that even the celestial bodies are not pure in His sight. He questions how a human, born of a woman and inherently impure, can be justified before God. Bildad views humans as insignificant and unclean, comparing them to worms. He emphasizes the vast difference between God's perfection and humanity's imperfection.

Job responds by questioning how his friend has helped the powerless or provided wisdom to the unwise, and then describes God's power and majesty, citing His control over the earth, seas, and heavens. He notes that God's ways are beyond human understanding, and that only a small portion of His power is revealed.

Job affirms his integrity and righteousness, stating that he will not justify his friends or compromise his values, even in the face of suffering. He describes the fate of the wicked, who may prosper temporarily but will ultimately face destruction and loss. Their wealth and possessions will be taken by the just, and they will be forgotten. Job emphasizes that God will not spare the wicked, and they will be cast out and ridiculed by others.

The passage describes the process of mining precious metals and gems, but notes that despite the ability to extract these valuable resources, wisdom cannot be found or valued in the same way. It is not something that can be bought or sold, and its value is above that of the most precious gems. Ultimately, the passage concludes that true wisdom comes from fearing the Lord and departing from evil.

Job reminisces about his past life when God was with him, and he was blessed with wealth, family, and respect from the community. He recalls how he used his position to help the poor, the fatherless, and the widow, and how people looked up to him for guidance and counsel. Job's words were highly regarded, and people would wait for him to speak before responding. He was a leader and a source of comfort to those in need, and he lived a life of righteousness and justice.

Job laments that younger men now mock him, despite their inferior status and lack of strength. He describes their miserable lives, forced to live in desolate places and scrounge for food. Job notes that he has become the subject of their ridicule and scorn, and they show no restraint in their contempt for him. He attributes his suffering to God, feeling that God has turned against him, ignoring his cries for help and bringing him to the brink of death.

Job declares his innocence and integrity, stating that he has made a covenant with his eyes to avoid lust and has not wronged others, including his servants, the poor, or the widow. He claims to have been generous and just, and if he has sinned, he is willing to accept punishment. Job also asserts that he has not idolized wealth or rejoiced in the misfortune of others, and he longs for God to answer him and vindicate his innocence.

Elihu, a young man, becomes angry with Job for justifying himself rather than God, and with Job's three friends for condemning him without a valid answer. Elihu had waited for the older men to finish speaking, but when they failed to provide a satisfactory response, he decides to share his own opinion. He explains that age does not necessarily bring wisdom, and that he has been inspired by God to speak. Elihu criticizes the three friends for not providing a convincing argument and decides to offer his own perspective, feeling compelled by the spirit within him to speak.

Elihu tells Job that he will speak on God's behalf, and his words will be upright and knowledgeable. He claims to be formed by God just like Job, and his words should not be feared. Elihu argues that Job has been wrong to claim innocence and that God is greater than man, speaking to people in various ways, including through dreams and visions. He explains that God disciplines people to turn them away from pride and to teach them righteousness, and that if someone acknowledges their sin, God will deliver them from destruction and restore their life. Elihu then invites Job to respond or remain silent, promising to teach him wisdom.

Elihu rebukes Job for claiming to be righteous and God as being unjust, stating that God does not do wickedly and will render to each man according to his ways. Elihu argues that God is just and fair, governing the world and all its inhabitants, and that He does not show favoritism to the rich or the poor. Elihu also claims that Job has spoken without knowledge and wisdom, adding rebellion to his sin by speaking against God, and therefore should be tried for his answers.

Elihu rebukes Job for claiming his righteousness is greater than God's and questions the idea that being righteous or sinful has any direct impact on God. He notes that human wickedness or righteousness primarily affects other people, not God. Elihu also criticizes Job for not acknowledging God's presence and wisdom, and instead speaking without knowledge, multiplying empty words.

Elihu asserts that God is mighty and wise, preserving the lives of the righteous while not sparing the wicked. He disciplines those who have erred, offering them a chance to return to righteousness, and rewards obedience with prosperity. However, those who disobey will perish, and the hypocrites will die in their youth. Elihu warns Job that he has been judged like the wicked and urges him to beware of God's wrath, which cannot be bought off with riches or strength. Elihu concludes by describing God's power and wisdom, which are beyond human understanding, and His ability to control the weather and provide for humanity.

Elihu describes God's power in controlling the weather, directing lightning and thunder across the earth, and commanding snow, rain, and frost. He notes that God's actions are beyond human comprehension and that His power is demonstrated in the natural world, causing animals to seek shelter and humans to acknowledge His might. Elihu challenges Job to consider God's wisdom and power, questioning whether Job can understand or explain God's workings in the atmosphere.

God responds to Job from a whirlwind, questioning his understanding and knowledge of the creation and workings of the universe, asking if he was present when the earth was formed, if he can control the seas, the morning stars, or the weather. God also asks if Job can provide for the needs of various animals, such as lions and ravens, or if he has any understanding of the ordinances of heaven.

God questions Job about his knowledge of the natural world, specifically the behavior of wild animals such as goats, deer, wild asses, and unicorns, asking if he can control or understand their actions. God also asks Job about the abilities of various birds, including peacocks, ostriches, hawks, and eagles, and whether he can command or comprehend their behaviors. Additionally, God describes the strength and ferocity of the horse and its fearlessness in battle, further emphasizing the limits of human understanding and control.

The Lord responds to Job, questioning his ability to instruct or reprove God, and Job acknowledges his own insignificance. The Lord then challenges Job to demonstrate his power, asking if he can disannul God's judgment or condemn Him to prove his own righteousness. The Lord describes the behemoth, a powerful creature He created, highlighting its immense strength and size, and notes that only its creator can approach it with a sword.

God describes the leviathan, a powerful sea creature, as a fearsome and uncontainable beast that no human can control or dominate. Its strength and ferocity are unmatched, and even the mightiest warriors are afraid of it. The leviathan's body is covered in impenetrable scales, and its very presence causes the sea to boil and churn. It is a creature without equal, a king over all the other proud and powerful creatures of the earth.

Job acknowledges God's power and wisdom, and repents for speaking without understanding. God commends Job for speaking correctly about Him, but rebukes Job's friends for their incorrect words. Job prays for his friends, and God restores his fortunes, giving him twice as much as he had before. Job lives another 140 years, sees four generations of his family, and dies old and full of days.