Job for Kids — VantageBible

1The Wager and Job's Ruin

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

1There was a man in the land of Uz named Job. He was blameless and honest, a man who feared God and kept far away from evil.

2And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

2Seven sons and three daughters were born to him.

3His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

3He owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred pairs of oxen, and five hundred female donkeys, and he had a very large household of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the east.

4And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

4His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, each on his own day, and they would send for their three sisters to come and eat and drink with them.

5And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

5When each round of feasting was over, Job would send for them and make them holy. He would get up early in the morning and offer burnt offerings, one for each of them, because he said, "Maybe my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Job did this every time.

6Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

6Now there came a day when the sons of God came to stand before the LORD, and Satan came along with them.

7And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

7The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming around the earth and walking back and forth across it."

8And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

8The LORD said to Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and honest man who fears God and keeps far away from evil."

9Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

9Satan answered the LORD, "Does Job fear God for nothing?

10Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

10Haven't you built a fence around him, his house, and everything he owns on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his flocks and herds have spread across the land.

11But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

11But reach out your hand now and strike everything he has, and he will curse you to your face."

12And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

12The LORD said to Satan, "Look, everything he has is in your power. Only do not lay a hand on the man himself." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

13And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

13One day Job's sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house,

14And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:

14and a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing next to them,

15And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

15when the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They killed the servants with the sword, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you."

16While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

16While he was still speaking, another one came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants and destroyed them, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you."

17While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

17While he was still speaking, another one came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties, swept down on the camels, and carried them off. They killed the servants with the sword, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you."

18While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:

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

19And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

19when suddenly a great wind came from across the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It fell in on the young people and they are dead, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you."

20Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

20Then Job got up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshipped,

21And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

21and he said, "I came into this world naked from my mother's womb, and naked I will leave it. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD."

22In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

22In all of this Job did not sin, and he did not accuse God of doing anything wrong.

2The Second Wager and Job's Friends

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.

1Again there came a day when the sons of God came to stand before the LORD, and Satan came along with them to stand before the LORD.

2And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

2The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming around the earth and walking back and forth across it."

3And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

3The LORD said to Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and honest man who fears God and keeps far away from evil. And he still holds on to his integrity, even though you stirred me up against him to ruin him for no reason."

4And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.

4Satan answered the LORD, "Skin for skin! A man will hand over everything he owns to keep his own life.

5But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.

5But reach out your hand now and strike his bones and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face."

6And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

6The LORD said to Satan, "Look, he is in your hands. Only spare his life."

7So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

7So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and struck Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

8And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.

8Job took a broken piece of pottery to scrape himself with, and he sat down among the ashes.

9Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.

9Then his wife said to him, "Are you still clinging to your integrity? Curse God and die."

10But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

10But he said to her, "You are talking the way a foolish woman talks. What? Shall we take the good things from God's hand and refuse to take the hard things?" In all of this Job did not sin with his lips.

11Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.

11When Job's three friends heard about all this trouble that had come on him, each one came from his own home: Eliphaz from Teman, Bildad from Shuah, and Zophar from Naamah. They had agreed together to come and grieve with him and comfort him.

12And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.

12When they looked up from a distance and could not even recognize him, they cried out loud and wept. Each one tore his robe, and they threw dust into the air over their heads.

13So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

13Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights, and no one said a word to him, because they saw how terrible his suffering was.

3Job Curses His Own Birth

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.

1After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day he was born.

2And Job spake, and said,

2Job spoke up and said,

3Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived.

3"Let the day I was born be blotted out, and the night that announced, 'A boy has been conceived.'

4Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.

4Let that day be darkness. Let God above take no notice of it, and let no light shine on it.

5Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.

5Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it. Let a cloud settle over it. Let whatever blackens the day fill it with terror.

6As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months.

6As for that night, let thick darkness take hold of it. Let it not be counted among the days of the year or entered into the number of the months.

7Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein.

7Yes, let that night be empty, with no shout of joy heard in it.

8Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning.

8Let those who curse days lay a curse on it, those who are ready to raise their cry of mourning.

9Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the day:

9Let the stars of its early morning go dark. Let it wait for light and find none, and never see the first glow of dawn,

10Because it shut not up the doors of my mother’s womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes.

10because it did not shut the doors of my mother's womb, or hide sorrow from my eyes.

11Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?

11Why didn't I die at birth? Why didn't I breathe my last as soon as I came out of the womb?

12Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?

12Why were there knees to receive me, or breasts for me to nurse at?

13For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,

13If not for that, I would be lying still and quiet now. I would be asleep and at rest

14With kings and counsellors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves;

14with the kings and counselors of the earth, who built grand places for themselves that now lie in ruins,

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

15or with princes who had gold and filled their houses with silver.

16Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light.

16Or why wasn't I buried away like a stillborn child, like a baby who never saw the light?

17There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.

17There the wicked stop making trouble, and there the exhausted find rest.

18There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor.

18There the prisoners rest together; they no longer hear the slave driver's shout.

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

19Small and great are there alike, and the servant is free from his master.

20Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;

20Why is light given to someone in misery, and life to those whose souls are bitter,

21Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;

21who long for death that never comes, and dig for it more eagerly than for buried treasure,

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

22who are overjoyed and glad when they finally find the grave?

23Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in?

23Why is light given to a man whose path is hidden, whom God has fenced in?

24For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.

24My sighing comes to me instead of food, and my groans pour out like water.

25For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

25The very thing I was most afraid of has come upon me; what I dreaded has arrived.

26I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.

26I have no peace, no quiet, and no rest, and still trouble comes."

4Eliphaz Answers Job

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,

1Then Eliphaz from Teman answered:

2If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?

2"If someone tries to speak a word to you, will you lose patience? But who can keep from speaking?

3Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.

3Look, you have taught many people, and you have strengthened weak hands.

4Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

4Your words have held up those who were stumbling, and you have braced knees that were giving way.

5But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.

5But now it has come to you, and you lose heart; it touches you, and you fall apart.

6Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?

6Shouldn't your fear of God be your confidence, and the honesty of your life be your hope?

7Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?

7Think back, please: who ever perished while being innocent? Where were honest people ever destroyed?

8Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.

8From what I have seen, those who plow up wrongdoing and plant trouble harvest the same.

9By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.

9By the breath of God they perish; by the blast of his anger they are swept away.

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

10The lion may roar and the fierce lion may growl, but the teeth of the young lions are broken.

11The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion’s whelps are scattered abroad.

11The old lion dies for lack of prey, and the cubs of the strong lioness are scattered.

12Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.

12Now a word was brought to me in secret, and my ear caught a whisper of it.

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

13Amid troubling thoughts from visions in the night, when deep sleep falls on people,

14Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.

14fear and trembling came over me and made all my bones shake.

15Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:

15Then a spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body stood on end.

16It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,

16It stood still, but I could not make out what it looked like. A form was in front of my eyes; there was silence, and then I heard a voice saying,

17Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?

17'Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?

18Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:

18Look, God does not even put his trust in his own servants, and he charges his angels with foolishness.

19How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?

19How much less those who live in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who are crushed as easily as a moth!

20They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it.

20Between morning and evening they are broken to pieces; they perish forever, and no one takes notice.

21Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.

21Doesn't whatever greatness they have leave them? They die, and without ever gaining wisdom.'

5Eliphaz Urges Job to Seek God

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Call now, if there be any that will answer thee; and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?

1"Call out now; is there anyone who will answer you? Which of the holy ones will you turn to?

2For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.

2Resentment kills a fool, and jealousy slays the simple-minded.

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

3I have seen a fool putting down roots, but suddenly I cursed his home.

4His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neither is there any to deliver them.

4His children are far from safety; they are crushed at the city gate, and there is no one to rescue them.

5Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.

5The hungry eat up his harvest, taking it even from among the thorns, and robbers swallow up their wealth.

6Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground;

6Hardship does not sprout from the dust, and trouble does not spring up out of the ground;

7Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.

7yet a person is born into trouble the way sparks rise upward.

8I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:

8If I were you, I would seek God and lay my case before him.

9Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:

9He does great things too deep to search out, and wonders beyond counting.

10Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:

10He gives rain to the earth and sends water on the fields.

11To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.

11He lifts the lowly up high, and those who mourn are raised to safety.

12He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.

12He wrecks the plans of the crafty, so their hands cannot carry out their schemes.

13He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.

13He traps the wise in their own cunning, and the plans of the crooked come tumbling down.

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

14They run into darkness in the daytime and grope around at noon as if it were night.

15But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth, and from the hand of the mighty.

15But he saves the poor from the sword of their mouths and from the grip of the powerful.

16So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.

16So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth.

17Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

17Look, happy is the person God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

18For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.

18He causes pain, but he bandages the wound; he injures, but his own hands make it whole.

19He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

19He will rescue you from six troubles; in seven, no harm will touch you.

20In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword.

20In famine he will save you from death, and in war from the power of the sword.

21Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.

21You will be sheltered from the lash of the tongue, and you will not be afraid when destruction comes.

22At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

22You will laugh at destruction and famine, and you will not fear the wild animals of the earth.

23For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.

23For you will have a treaty with the stones of the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you.

24And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin.

24You will know that your tent is secure; you will look over your home and find nothing wrong.

25Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth.

25You will know that your descendants will be many, and your offspring like the grass of the earth.

26Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.

26You will go to your grave at a full old age, the way a bundle of grain is brought in at harvest time.

27Lo this, we have searched it, so it is; hear it, and know thou it for thy good.

27Look, we have studied this, and it is true. Hear it, and take it to heart for your own good."

6Job Answers Eliphaz

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1But Job answered and said,

1Then Job answered:

2Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!

2"Oh, if my grief could only be put on a scale, with all my disaster piled on the balance beside it!

3For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.

3It would weigh more than the sand of the sea; that is why my words have come out so rashly.

4For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

4The Almighty's arrows have pierced me, and their poison is soaking into my spirit; God's terrors are drawn up in battle line against me.

5Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?

5Does a wild donkey bray while it has grass to eat? Does an ox low over a full trough?

6Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

6Can flavorless food be eaten without salt? Is there any taste in the white of an egg?

7The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.

7The things I refused to touch have become my miserable daily bread.

8Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

8If only I could have what I ask for, and God would give me what I long for:

9Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

9that God would be willing to crush me, that he would let his hand loose and cut me off!

10Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

10Then I would still have some comfort; I would brace myself against the pain and say, 'Let him not hold back,' for I have never denied the words of the Holy One.

11What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?

11What strength do I have left, that I should keep hoping? What end is waiting for me, that I should drag out my life?

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

12Is my strength like the strength of stone? Is my body made of bronze?

13Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?

13Is there any help left in me? Has all good sense been driven away from me?

14To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

14A suffering man should be shown kindness by his friend; otherwise that friend abandons the fear of the Almighty.

15My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;

15But my brothers have been as treacherous as a brook, like streambeds whose water runs off and is gone,

16Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:

16dark with melting ice and swollen with hidden snow,

17What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.

17but when the weather warms they vanish, and in the heat they dry up and disappear from their place.

18The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.

18The paths of their course wander off; they go into nothing and disappear.

19The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.

19The caravans of Tema looked for them; the traveling merchants of Sheba waited for them.

20They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.

20They were let down because they had counted on water; they arrived there and were put to shame.

21For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.

21Now you are the same, nothing at all. You see my ruin and are afraid.

22Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?

22Did I ever say, 'Give me something,' or 'Pay a bribe for me from your wealth,'

23Or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?

23or 'Rescue me from the enemy's hand,' or 'Buy me back from the grip of tyrants'?

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

24Teach me, and I will keep silent; help me understand what mistake I have made.

25How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?

25How powerful honest words are! But what does your correcting accomplish?

26Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?

26Do you plan to correct my words, treating the speeches of a desperate man as nothing but wind?

27Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.

27Yes, you would trample an orphan and dig a pit for your own friend.

28Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.

28So now, please, look me in the face; you will know at once if I am lying.

29Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.

29Think again, I beg you; don't be unfair. Think again, for my integrity is at stake.

30Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?

30Is there any wrong on my tongue? Can't I tell the difference when something is wicked?"

7Job Turns His Complaint to God

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not his days also like the days of an hireling?

1"Doesn't a person have a set time of hard service on earth? Aren't his days like the days of a hired worker?

2As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as an hireling looketh for the reward of his work:

2Like a slave who longs for the evening shadows, like a hired worker waiting for his pay,

3So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me.

3I have been given months of emptiness, and nights of misery have been assigned to me.

4When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day.

4When I lie down I think, 'When will I get up, and the night be over?' And I toss and turn until dawn.

5My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome.

5My body is covered with worms and crusted with dirt; my skin cracks and festers.

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

6My days fly by faster than a weaver's shuttle, and they are used up with no hope left.

7O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.

7Remember that my life is only a breath of wind; my eyes will never see happiness again.

8The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more: thine eyes are upon me, and I am not.

8The eye that sees me now will see me no more; you will look for me, but I will be gone.

9As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away: so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.

9Like a cloud that thins out and vanishes, the one who goes down to the grave does not come back up.

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

10He never returns to his house, and his own place no longer knows him.

11Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

11So I will not hold my tongue. I will speak out of the anguish of my spirit; I will complain out of the bitterness of my soul.

12Am I a sea, or a whale, that thou settest a watch over me?

12Am I the sea, or a great sea creature, that you post a guard to watch me?

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

13When I think, 'My bed will comfort me, my couch will ease my complaining,'

14Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:

14then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions,

15So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life.

15so that I would rather be strangled and die than go on living in this body.

16I loathe it; I would not live alway: let me alone; for my days are vanity.

16I am sick of it; I don't want to go on living forever. Leave me be, for my days are empty.

17What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?

17What is a human being, that you think him so important, and that you set your heart on him,

18And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?

18that you inspect him every morning and test him every moment?

19How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?

19How long before you look away from me and leave me alone long enough to swallow my spit?

20I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?

20I have sinned; so what can I do to you, O Watcher of people? Why have you set me up as your target, so that I am a burden to myself?

21And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.

21Why don't you pardon my wrongdoing and take away my guilt? For soon I will lie down in the dust; you will search for me in the morning, but I will be gone."

8Bildad Defends God's Justice

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,

1Then Bildad the Shuhite answered and said,

2How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?

2"How long will you keep talking like this? How long will the words from your mouth blow like a mighty wind?

3Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

3Does God twist what is right? Does the Almighty twist justice?

4If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;

4If your children sinned against him, and he handed them over to the results of their wrongdoing,

5If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;

5if you would earnestly look to God and plead for mercy from the Almighty,

6If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.

6if you were pure and honest, then surely he would rouse himself for you now and restore your rightful home to prosperity.

7Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.

7Though your beginning was small, your end would become very great.

8For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:

8Ask the earlier generations, I beg you, and give yourself to learning what their ancestors discovered,

9(For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)

9for we were born only yesterday and know nothing, since our days on earth are a shadow.

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

10Won't they teach you and tell you, and speak words from their hearts?

11Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?

11Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds thrive without water?

12Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.

12While they are still green and uncut, they wither faster than any other plant.

13So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish:

13That is the path of everyone who forgets God; the hope of the godless will perish.

14Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider’s web.

14What he trusts in will be snapped off; what he leans on is a spider's web.

15He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.

15He leans on his house, but it does not stand; he grabs hold of it, but it does not last.

16He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.

16He is like a plant, green under the sun, spreading its shoots across its garden.

17His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones.

17Its roots wrap around a pile of rocks and it looks for a home among the stones.

18If he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee.

18But when it is torn from its place, that place disowns it and says, 'I never saw you.'

19Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.

19See, that is all the joy its way has to offer, and out of the soil others will grow instead.

20Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:

20Look, God will not throw away a blameless man, nor will he take the hand of those who do evil.

21Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.

21He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.

22They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.

22Those who hate you will be dressed in shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more."

9Job Wishes for an Umpire

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Then Job answered and said,

2I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?

2"I know that this is truly so. But how can a human being be in the right before God?

3If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.

3If someone wanted to argue with him, he could not answer him one question in a thousand.

4He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?

4He is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has ever hardened himself against him and come out ahead?

5Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger.

5He moves mountains before they know it; he overturns them in his anger.

6Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.

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

7Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.

7He gives the order and the sun does not rise; he seals up the stars.

8Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.

8He alone stretches out the heavens and walks on the waves of the sea.

9Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.

9He made the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the constellations of the southern sky.

10Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.

10He does great things that cannot be traced, yes, wonders beyond counting.

11Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.

11Look, he passes by me and I do not see him; he moves on, and I do not notice him.

12Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?

12If he snatches something away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, 'What are you doing?'

13If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.

13God will not hold back his anger; the helpers of the proud bow down beneath him.

14How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?

14How much less could I answer him and pick out my words to argue with him?

15Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.

15Even if I were in the right, I could not answer him; I could only beg my judge for mercy.

16If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.

16If I called and he answered me, I still would not believe he was really listening to my voice.

17For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.

17For he crushes me with a storm and multiplies my wounds for no reason.

18He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.

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

19If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?

19If it is a matter of strength, look, he is the strong one; if it is a matter of justice, who can summon him to court?

20If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.

20If I declared myself innocent, my own mouth would condemn me; if I said I was blameless, it would prove me crooked.

21Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.

21Even if I were blameless, I would not know my own soul; I would despise my life.

22This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.

22It is all the same, and so I say it: he destroys the blameless and the wicked alike.

23If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.

23When a sudden disaster brings death, he laughs at the despair of the innocent.

24The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?

24The earth is handed over to the wicked; he blindfolds its judges. If it is not he, then who is it?

25Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.

25Now my days run faster than a courier; they race away and never see anything good.

26They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.

26They slip past like swift boats of reed, like an eagle diving on its prey.

27If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:

27If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will put away my gloomy face and cheer up,'

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

28I still dread all my sufferings, because I know you will not declare me innocent.

29If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?

29If I am going to be counted guilty anyway, why should I struggle for nothing?

30If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;

30If I washed myself in snow water and scrubbed my hands ever so clean,

31Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.

31you would still plunge me into a filthy pit, until even my own clothes would be disgusted by me.

32For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.

32For he is not a man like me, that I could answer him and we could face each other in court.

33Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.

33There is no referee between us who could lay his hand on us both.

34Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:

34If only he would take his rod away from me and stop terrifying me with his dread,

35Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.

35then I would speak up without fear of him. But that is not how things stand with me.

10Job Questions His Maker

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.

1"My soul is sick of my life. I will give free rein to my complaint; I will speak out of the bitterness of my soul.

2I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.

2I will say to God, 'Do not just declare me guilty; show me why you are fighting against me.

3Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?

3Does it please you to be cruel, to despise what your own hands have made, while you smile on the schemes of the wicked?

4Hast thou eyes of flesh? or seest thou as man seeth?

4Do you have eyes of flesh? Do you see the way people see?

5Are thy days as the days of man? are thy years as man’s days,

5Are your days like the days of a man? Are your years like a person's years,

6That thou enquirest after mine iniquity, and searchest after my sin?

6that you go hunting for my wrongdoing and searching out my sin,

7Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of thine hand.

7even though you know I am not guilty, and no one can rescue me from your hand?

8Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me.

8Your hands shaped me and made me, every part of me together, and yet you destroy me.

9Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?

9Remember, I beg you, that you molded me like clay. Will you now turn me back into dust?

10Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese?

10Did you not pour me out like milk and let me thicken like cheese?

11Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews.

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

12Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.

12You gave me life and kindness, and your care has kept my spirit alive.

13And these things hast thou hid in thine heart: I know that this is with thee.

13Yet all along you were hiding this in your heart; I know this was your plan:

14If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.

14if I sinned, you would be watching me, and you would not clear me of my guilt.

15If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction;

15If I am wicked, how terrible for me; and if I am righteous, I still cannot lift my head, for I am filled with shame. Look at my misery,

16For it increaseth. Thou huntest me as a fierce lion: and again thou shewest thyself marvellous upon me.

16for it keeps growing. You hunt me like a fierce lion, and again you show your awesome power against me.

17Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me; changes and war are against me.

17You bring fresh witnesses against me and pile up your anger toward me; wave after wave of trouble comes at me like an army.

18Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me!

18Why then did you bring me out of the womb? If only I had died before any eye had seen me!

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

19It would be as if I had never existed; I would have been carried straight from the womb to the grave.

20Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,

20Aren't my days few enough? Then leave me be, let me alone, so I can find a little comfort

21Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death;

21before I go where I will never return, to the land of darkness and the shadow of death,

22A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.

22a land as dark as midnight, a land of death's shadow and confusion, where even the light is like darkness.'"

11Zophar Calls Job to Repent

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,

2Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?

2"Should such a flood of words go unanswered? Should a man be counted right just because he talks so much?

3Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed?

3Should your empty boasting silence everyone? When you mock, is no one to put you to shame?

4For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.

4For you have said, 'My beliefs are pure, and I am clean in your sight.'

5But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee;

5But oh, if only God would speak and open his lips against you,

6And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.

6and show you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides! Then you would know that God is demanding of you less than your sin deserves.

7Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

7Can you discover the depths of God by searching? Can you find out the limits of the Almighty?

8It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?

8They are higher than heaven; what can you do? Deeper than the grave; what can you know?

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

9Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.

10If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

10If he sweeps by and throws someone in prison, or calls a court together, who can stop him?

11For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?

11For he knows who the worthless people are; he sees wickedness too. Won't he take note of it?

12For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass’s colt.

12But an empty-headed man will get understanding when a wild donkey's colt is born human.

13If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands toward him;

13If you set your heart right and stretch out your hands toward him,

14If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.

14if there is wrongdoing in your hand, put it far away, and do not let evil live in your tents,

15For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:

15then you will lift up your face without a blemish; you will stand firm and be unafraid.

16Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:

16You will forget your misery and remember it only as water that has flowed away.

17And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday: thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.

17Your life will be brighter than noon; its darkness will become like morning.

18And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety.

18You will be safe because there is hope; you will look around you and lie down to rest in security.

19Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.

19You will lie down and no one will frighten you; yes, many will come seeking your favor.

20But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.

20But the eyes of the wicked will grow dim; they will find no way of escape, and their only hope will be to breathe their last."

12Job Mocks His Friends' Wisdom

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1And Job answered and said,

2No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.

2"No doubt you are the only people who matter, and wisdom will die with you!

3But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

3But I have a mind as well as you; I am not beneath you. Who doesn't know things like these?

4I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.

4I have become a joke to my friends, I who called on God and he answered me. The just and honest man is laughed to scorn.

5He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease.

5People who are comfortable despise misfortune; they think it belongs to those whose feet are already slipping.

6The tabernacles of robbers prosper, and they that provoke God are secure; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly.

6The tents of robbers are left in peace, and those who provoke God feel safe, those who carry their god in their own hands.

7But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:

7But ask the animals, and they will teach you; ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you.

8Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.

8Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; the fish of the sea will explain it to you.

9Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?

9Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?

10In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.

10In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.

11Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat?

11Doesn't the ear test words the way the mouth tastes food?

12With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.

12Wisdom is with the aged, and long life brings understanding.

13With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.

13With God are wisdom and might; counsel and understanding belong to him.

14Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.

14See, what he tears down cannot be rebuilt; the one he locks up cannot be set free.

15Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.

15See, if he holds back the waters, everything dries up; if he lets them loose, they overwhelm the land.

16With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.

16Strength and sound judgment are his; the deceived and the deceiver both belong to him.

17He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.

17He leads counselors away stripped bare, and he makes fools of judges.

18He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.

18He unties the belts of kings and wraps a loincloth around their waists.

19He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.

19He leads priests away stripped bare and overthrows the powerful.

20He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.

20He silences the speech of trusted advisers and takes away the judgment of the elders.

21He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.

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

22He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.

22He uncovers deep things hidden in darkness and brings the shadow of death out into the light.

23He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.

23He makes nations great and then destroys them; he spreads nations out and then leads them away.

24He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.

24He takes away the understanding of the leaders of the earth and sends them wandering through a wasteland with no path.

25They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.

25They grope in the dark without any light, and he makes them stagger like drunkards.

13Job Demands a Hearing from God

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it.

1"Look, my eye has seen all this; my ear has heard it and understood it.

2What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.

2What you know, I know too; I am not beneath you.

3Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.

3But I would rather speak to the Almighty; I want to argue my case with God.

4But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.

4As for you, you smear me with lies; you are all worthless doctors.

5O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.

5If only you would keep completely silent! That would be wisdom for you.

6Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.

6Now hear my argument, and listen to the plea of my lips.

7Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?

7Will you speak wickedly on God's behalf? Will you tell lies for him?

8Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?

8Will you take his side? Will you argue the case for God?

9Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him?

9Will it go well for you when he examines you? Can you fool him the way you would fool a man?

10He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.

10He will surely rebuke you if you secretly show favoritism.

11Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?

11Won't his majesty terrify you? Won't the dread of him fall on you?

12Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.

12Your wise sayings are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.

13Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.

13Be quiet and leave me alone, so that I can speak, and let whatever comes come.

14Wherefore do I take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in mine hand?

14Why do I take my flesh between my teeth and carry my life in my own hands?

15Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

15Though he kill me, I will still trust in him; yet I will defend my ways to his face.

16He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.

16This too will be my salvation, for no godless person would dare come before him.

17Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.

17Listen carefully to my words; let my declaration ring in your ears.

18Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.

18See now, I have prepared my case; I know that I will be proved right.

19Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost.

19Who is there who can bring a charge against me? If there is, I will fall silent and die.

20Only do not two things unto me: then will I not hide myself from thee.

20Only grant me two things, God, and then I will not hide from you:

21Withdraw thine hand far from me: and let not thy dread make me afraid.

21take your hand far away from me, and do not let the dread of you terrify me.

22Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me.

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

23How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin.

23How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my rebellion and my sin.

24Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for thine enemy?

24Why do you hide your face and treat me as your enemy?

25Wilt thou break a leaf driven to and fro? and wilt thou pursue the dry stubble?

25Will you frighten a leaf blown about by the wind? Will you chase after dry straw?

26For thou writest bitter things against me, and makest me to possess the iniquities of my youth.

26For you write down bitter charges against me and make me inherit the sins of my youth.

27Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths; thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet.

27You lock my feet in the stocks, you watch every path I take, and you mark the soles of my feet.

28And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten.

28So a man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths.

14Job on the Shortness of Life

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

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

1A person born of a woman lives only a few days, and those days are full of trouble.

2He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

2He springs up like a flower and is cut down; he slips away like a shadow and does not last.

3And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?

3Do you really fix your eyes on someone like that, and bring me into court with you?

4Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.

4Who can bring something clean out of something unclean? No one can.

5Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;

5Since a person's days are already decided, and the number of his months is in your hands, and you have set limits for him that he cannot cross,

6Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his day.

6look away from him and let him rest, until he finishes his day like a hired worker.

7For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

7There is hope for a tree: if it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its tender shoots will not stop growing.

8Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;

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

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

9at the scent of water it will bud and put out branches like a young plant.

10But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?

10But a man dies and wastes away; yes, a person breathes his last, and where is he then?

11As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:

11As water disappears from a lake, and a river shrinks and dries up,

12So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.

12so a man lies down and does not rise. Until the heavens are no more, people will not wake or be roused from their sleep.

13O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!

13Oh, if only you would hide me in the grave, and keep me out of sight until your anger has passed, and set me a time and then remember me!

14If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

14If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I would wait, until my release came.

15Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.

15You would call, and I would answer you; you would long for the work of your hands.

16For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?

16But now you count every step I take. Don't you keep watch over my sin?

17My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.

17My wrongdoing is sealed up in a bag, and you sew my guilt in tight.

18And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of his place.

18But surely a mountain falls and crumbles away, and a rock is moved from its place;

19The waters wear the stones: thou washest away the things which grow out of the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hope of man.

19water wears down stones, and its floods wash away the soil of the earth. In the same way you destroy a man's hope.

20Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.

20You overpower him for good, and he is gone; you change his face and send him away.

21His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.

21His sons are honored, and he does not know it; they are brought low, and he never sees it.

22But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn.

22He feels only the pain of his own body, and his soul mourns only for himself.

15Eliphaz Answers Job a Second Time

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,

1Then Eliphaz from Teman answered:

2Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?

2"Should a wise man answer with empty knowledge and fill himself up with the hot east wind?

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

3Should he argue with useless talk, with speeches that do no good at all?

4Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God.

4But you are throwing away reverence and cutting off prayer before God.

5For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.

5Your own guilt teaches your mouth what to say, and you choose the tongue of the crafty.

6Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee.

6Your own mouth condemns you, not I; your own lips speak against you.

7Art thou the first man that was born? or wast thou made before the hills?

7Were you the first man ever born? Were you made before the hills?

8Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?

8Have you listened in on God's secret council? Do you keep all wisdom for yourself?

9What knowest thou, that we know not? what understandest thou, which is not in us?

9What do you know that we don't know? What do you understand that we don't?

10With us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father.

10On our side are the gray-haired and the very old, men older than your father.

11Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?

11Are the comforts of God too small for you, or the gentle words spoken to you?

12Why doth thine heart carry thee away? and what do thy eyes wink at,

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

13That thou turnest thy spirit against God, and lettest such words go out of thy mouth?

13so that you turn your spirit against God and let such words pour out of your mouth?

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

14What is a man, that he could be clean? What is anyone born of a woman, that he could be righteous?

15Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight.

15Look, God puts no trust even in his holy ones; the heavens are not clean in his sight.

16How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?

16How much less a man, who is loathsome and corrupt, who drinks up wrongdoing like water!

17I will shew thee, hear me; and that which I have seen I will declare;

17I will show you; listen to me. What I have seen, I will tell you,

18Which wise men have told from their fathers, and have not hid it:

18what wise men have passed on from their fathers and have not kept hidden,

19Unto whom alone the earth was given, and no stranger passed among them.

19men to whom alone the land was given, when no foreigner passed among them.

20The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor.

20A wicked man writhes in pain all his days, through all the years stored up for the ruthless.

21A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come upon him.

21Frightening sounds fill his ears; while he is at peace, the destroyer comes upon him.

22He believeth not that he shall return out of darkness, and he is waited for of the sword.

22He does not believe he will ever come back out of the darkness; a sword is waiting for him.

23He wandereth abroad for bread, saying, Where is it? he knoweth that the day of darkness is ready at his hand.

23He wanders around looking for bread, asking, 'Where is it?' He knows that a day of darkness is close at hand.

24Trouble and anguish shall make him afraid; they shall prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle.

24Trouble and distress terrify him; they overwhelm him like a king ready for battle.

25For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strengtheneth himself against the Almighty.

25For he has shaken his fist at God and set himself up against the Almighty.

26He runneth upon him, even on his neck, upon the thick bosses of his bucklers:

26He charges at him headlong, behind a thick and heavy shield.

27Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on his flanks.

27Though his face is covered with fat and his waist bulges with flesh,

28And he dwelleth in desolate cities, and in houses which no man inhabiteth, which are ready to become heaps.

28he will live in ruined cities, in houses no one lives in, houses about to fall into heaps.

29He shall not be rich, neither shall his substance continue, neither shall he prolong the perfection thereof upon the earth.

29He will not stay rich; his wealth will not last, and his possessions will not spread across the land.

30He shall not depart out of darkness; the flame shall dry up his branches, and by the breath of his mouth shall he go away.

30He will not escape the darkness. A flame will dry up his branches, and by the breath of God's mouth he will be swept away.

31Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompence.

31Let him not fool himself by trusting in what is worthless, for worthlessness will be what he gets in return.

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

32It will be paid out before his time, and his branch will never turn green.

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

33He will be like a vine that drops its unripe grapes, like an olive tree that sheds its blossoms.

34For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate, and fire shall consume the tabernacles of bribery.

34For the company of the godless will be left barren, and fire will burn up the tents of those who take bribes.

35They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit.

35They conceive trouble and give birth to emptiness; their hearts are busy preparing deceit."

16Job Calls His Friends Miserable Comforters

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Then Job answered and said,

1Then Job answered:

2I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.

2"I have heard plenty of things like this. You are all miserable comforters!

3Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee that thou answerest?

3Will your empty words ever end? What is stirring you up to keep answering?

4I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul’s stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake mine head at you.

4I could talk the way you do, if you were in my place. I could string together fine words against you and shake my head at you.

5But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.

5But I would strengthen you with what I said; the comfort from my lips would ease your pain.

6Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged: and though I forbear, what am I eased?

6If I speak, my pain is not eased; and if I keep quiet, how does that help me?

7But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company.

7But now God has worn me out; you have wiped out my whole household.

8And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.

8You have shriveled me up, and that has become a witness against me; my thinness rises up and testifies to my face.

9He teareth me in his wrath, who hateth me: he gnasheth upon me with his teeth; mine enemy sharpeneth his eyes upon me.

9God tears at me in his anger and hates me; he grinds his teeth at me. My enemy glares at me with piercing eyes.

10They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.

10People open their mouths wide at me; they slap my cheek with scorn; they band together against me.

11God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked.

11God has handed me over to the ungodly and thrown me into the hands of the wicked.

12I was at ease, but he hath broken me asunder: he hath also taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces, and set me up for his mark.

12I was living in peace, but he shattered me. He grabbed me by the neck and shook me to pieces, and he set me up as his target.

13His archers compass me round about, he cleaveth my reins asunder, and doth not spare; he poureth out my gall upon the ground.

13His archers surround me. He pierces my kidneys without mercy and spills my gall on the ground.

14He breaketh me with breach upon breach, he runneth upon me like a giant.

14He breaks through me again and again; he rushes at me like a warrior.

15I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin, and defiled my horn in the dust.

15I have sewn sackcloth over my skin and buried my strength in the dust.

16My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the shadow of death;

16My face is red from weeping, and deep shadows hang on my eyelids,

17Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.

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

18O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place.

18O earth, do not cover my blood; let my cry never find a resting place.

19Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.

19Even now, look, my witness is in heaven; the one who will vouch for me is on high.

20My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God.

20My friends mock me, but my eyes pour out tears to God.

21O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!

21If only someone would plead with God on a man's behalf, the way a man pleads for his friend!

22When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.

22For in just a few years I will go down the road from which I will never return.

17Job's Hope Goes Down to the Grave

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.

1My spirit is broken, my days are snuffed out, and the grave is waiting for me.

2Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?

2Surely there are mockers all around me, and my eyes have to watch their taunting.

3Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me?

3Give me a pledge; put up security for me yourself. Who else will shake hands to guarantee me?

4For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them.

4For you have closed their minds to understanding, so you will not let them win.

5He that speaketh flattery to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail.

5Whoever turns in his friends for a reward, the eyes of his children will grow dim.

6He hath made me also a byword of the people; and aforetime I was as a tabret.

6God has made me a byword among the people, a man others spit at.

7Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.

7My eyes have grown dim with grief, and my whole body is like a shadow.

8Upright men shall be astonied at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself against the hypocrite.

8Upright people are appalled at this, and the innocent are stirred up against the godless.

9The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.

9Yet the righteous keep on their way, and those with clean hands grow stronger and stronger.

10But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I cannot find one wise man among you.

10But come back, all of you, and try again, though I will not find a wise man among you.

11My days are past, my purposes are broken off, even the thoughts of my heart.

11My days are over; my plans are torn apart, along with the longings of my heart.

12They change the night into day: the light is short because of darkness.

12These men turn night into day; they say light is near, when darkness is closing in.

13If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.

13If the only home I can hope for is the grave, if I spread out my bed in the darkness,

14I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister.

14if I say to the pit, 'You are my father,' and to the worm, 'You are my mother and my sister,'

15And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it?

15then where is my hope? Who can see any hope for me?

16They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.

16Will it go down with me to the gates of death? Will we sink into the dust together?"

18Bildad Describes the Fate of the Wicked

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,

1Then Bildad from Shuah answered:

2How long will it be ere ye make an end of words? mark, and afterwards we will speak.

2"How long until you put an end to these words? Think it over, and then we can talk.

3Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and reputed vile in your sight?

3Why are we treated like cattle and considered stupid in your eyes?

4He teareth himself in his anger: shall the earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place?

4You tear yourself apart in your anger. Should the earth be abandoned for your sake, or a rock be moved from its place?

5Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.

5Indeed, the light of the wicked is put out, and the flame of his fire stops shining.

6The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.

6The light in his tent grows dark, and the lamp beside him goes out.

7The steps of his strength shall be straitened, and his own counsel shall cast him down.

7His confident stride is shortened, and his own schemes throw him down.

8For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walketh upon a snare.

8His own feet carry him into a net, and he walks right into its mesh.

9The gin shall take him by the heel, and the robber shall prevail against him.

9A trap grabs him by the heel, and a snare closes tight on him.

10The snare is laid for him in the ground, and a trap for him in the way.

10A noose is hidden for him in the ground, and a trap waits for him on the path.

11Terrors shall make him afraid on every side, and shall drive him to his feet.

11Terrors frighten him on every side and chase at his heels.

12His strength shall be hungerbitten, and destruction shall be ready at his side.

12His strength is eaten away by hunger, and disaster stands ready beside him.

13It shall devour the strength of his skin: even the firstborn of death shall devour his strength.

13It eats away pieces of his skin; death's firstborn devours his limbs.

14His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall bring him to the king of terrors.

14He is torn from the safety of his tent and marched off to the king of terrors.

15It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is none of his: brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.

15Fire settles in his tent, since it is no longer his; burning sulfur is scattered over his home.

16His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off.

16His roots dry up below, and his branches wither above.

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

17All memory of him vanishes from the earth, and his name is forgotten in the streets.

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

18He is driven from light into darkness and chased out of the world.

19He shall neither have son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings.

19He has no children or grandchildren among his people, no survivor where he once lived.

20They that come after him shall be astonied at his day, as they that went before were affrighted.

20Those who come after are stunned at his fate, and those who came before are seized with horror.

21Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God.

21Surely this is what becomes of the homes of the wicked; this is the place of the one who does not know God."

19Job Answers: My Redeemer Lives

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Then Job answered and said,

1Then Job answered:

2How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?

2"How long will you keep tormenting me and crushing me with words?

3These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.

3Ten times now you have insulted me. Aren't you ashamed to treat me so badly?

4And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself.

4Even if it is true that I have gone wrong, my mistake is my own concern.

5If indeed ye will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach:

5If you really want to make yourselves look great at my expense, and use my disgrace as evidence against me,

6Know now that God hath overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net.

6then know this: God has wronged me and wrapped his net around me.

7Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment.

7Look, I cry out, 'Violence!' but no one answers; I shout for help, but there is no justice.

8He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.

8He has walled up my path so I cannot pass, and he has covered my road in darkness.

9He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head.

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

10He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree.

10He tears me down on every side until I am gone; he pulls up my hope like a tree.

11He hath also kindled his wrath against me, and he counteth me unto him as one of his enemies.

11His anger burns against me, and he counts me as one of his enemies.

12His troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp round about my tabernacle.

12His troops advance together; they build a ramp up to me and camp all around my tent.

13He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me.

13He has driven my brothers far from me, and my acquaintances are complete strangers to me.

14My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.

14My relatives have let me down, and my close friends have forgotten me.

15They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight.

15The guests in my house and my servant girls treat me like a stranger; to them I am a foreigner.

16I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I intreated him with my mouth.

16I call my servant, and he does not answer, even when I beg him with my own mouth.

17My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children’s sake of mine own body.

17My breath is repulsive to my wife; I am loathsome to my own brothers.

18Yea, young children despised me; I arose, and they spake against me.

18Even little children look down on me; when I stand up, they make fun of me.

19All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me.

19All my closest friends are disgusted with me, and the people I love have turned against me.

20My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.

20I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped with only the skin of my teeth.

21Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.

21Have pity on me, have pity on me, my friends, for the hand of God has struck me.

22Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh?

22Why do you hunt me down as God does? Haven't you had enough of my flesh?

23Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!

23Oh, if only my words were written down! If only they were recorded in a book,

24That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!

24carved with an iron tool and filled with lead, cut into the rock forever!

25For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

25But I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.

26And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

26And after my skin has been destroyed like this, still in my flesh I will see God.

27Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

27I myself will see him; my own eyes will look on him, and not someone else's. How my heart longs for that inside me!

28But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me?

28If you say, 'How can we keep after him?' since the root of the trouble lies in me,

29Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath bringeth the punishments of the sword, that ye may know there is a judgment.

29then you should fear the sword yourselves, for anger brings the punishment of the sword, and then you will know there is a judgment."

20Zophar on the Wicked Man's Portion

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered:

2Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer, and for this I make haste.

2"My troubled thoughts push me to reply, and that is why I am in such a hurry.

3I have heard the check of my reproach, and the spirit of my understanding causeth me to answer.

3I have heard a rebuke that shames me, and the understanding within me stirs me to answer.

4Knowest thou not this of old, since man was placed upon earth,

4Do you not know this from long ago, ever since people were first placed on the earth,

5That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?

5that the celebrating of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless lasts only a moment?

6Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds;

6Though his pride climbs up to the heavens and his head touches the clouds,

7Yet he shall perish for ever like his own dung: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?

7he will perish forever like his own dung; those who saw him will ask, 'Where is he?'

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

8He will fly away like a dream and never be found; he will be chased off like a vision in the night.

9The eye also which saw him shall see him no more; neither shall his place any more behold him.

9The eye that saw him will see him no more; his own place will never look on him again.

10His children shall seek to please the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods.

10His children will have to beg favors from the poor, and his own hands will give back what he took.

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

11His bones are full of the sins of his youth, and they will lie down with him in the dust.

12Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue;

12Though evil tastes sweet in his mouth, though he hides it under his tongue,

13Though he spare it, and forsake it not; but keep it still within his mouth:

13though he holds on to it and will not let it go, but keeps it there in his mouth,

14Yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him.

14still the food in his stomach turns sour; it becomes the venom of snakes inside him.

15He hath swallowed down riches, and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly.

15He gulped down riches, but he will throw them up again; God will force them out of his belly.

16He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper’s tongue shall slay him.

16He will suck the poison of snakes; a viper's tongue will kill him.

17He shall not see the rivers, the floods, the brooks of honey and butter.

17He will never see the streams, the rivers, the brooks flowing with honey and cream.

18That which he laboured for shall he restore, and shall not swallow it down: according to his substance shall the restitution be, and he shall not rejoice therein.

18He will give back what he worked for and not swallow it; he will get no joy from the profit of his trading.

19Because he hath oppressed and hath forsaken the poor; because he hath violently taken away an house which he builded not;

19For he has crushed and abandoned the poor; he has seized houses he did not build.

20Surely he shall not feel quietness in his belly, he shall not save of that which he desired.

20Surely he will never feel content inside; he will not hold on to anything he desired.

21There shall none of his meat be left; therefore shall no man look for his goods.

21Nothing will be left over from his eating, so his prosperity will not last.

22In the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straits: every hand of the wicked shall come upon him.

22In the middle of his plenty he will be in trouble; the hand of every wicked man will come against him.

23When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating.

23When he is about to fill his stomach, God will hurl his burning anger on him and rain it down on him while he eats.

24He shall flee from the iron weapon, and the bow of steel shall strike him through.

24He will run from an iron weapon, and a bow of steel will shoot him through.

25It is drawn, and cometh out of the body; yea, the glittering sword cometh out of his gall: terrors are upon him.

25The arrow is pulled out, and it comes out of his body; yes, the glittering point comes out of his gall, and terrors come over him.

26All darkness shall be hid in his secret places: a fire not blown shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in his tabernacle.

26Total darkness is stored up for his treasures; a fire no one lit will devour him and consume whatever is left in his tent.

27The heaven shall reveal his iniquity; and the earth shall rise up against him.

27The heavens will expose his guilt, and the earth will rise up against him.

28The increase of his house shall depart, and his goods shall flow away in the day of his wrath.

28The wealth of his house will be carried off, swept away on the day of God's anger.

29This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the heritage appointed unto him by God.

29This is the share God gives to a wicked man, the inheritance God has appointed for him."

21Job Answers: The Wicked Prosper

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1But Job answered and said,

1Then Job answered:

2Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.

2"Listen carefully to what I say, and let that be the comfort you give me.

3Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.

3Bear with me while I speak, and after I have spoken, go on mocking.

4As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?

4As for me, is my complaint against a mere human? If it were, why shouldn't my spirit be troubled?

5Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.

5Look at me and be shocked; put your hand over your mouth.

6Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.

6Even when I think about it I am terrified, and my whole body shakes.

7Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

7Why do the wicked go on living, growing old and even growing mighty in power?

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

8Their children are settled securely around them, their descendants right before their eyes.

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

9Their houses are safe from fear, and God's rod never falls on them.

10Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.

10Their bull breeds and never fails; their cow gives birth and never loses her calf.

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

11They send their little ones out like a flock, and their children dance.

12They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.

12They sing along with the tambourine and harp and celebrate to the sound of the pipe.

13They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.

13They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment they go down to the grave.

14Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

14Yet they say to God, 'Leave us alone; we have no desire to know your ways.

15What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

15Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain by praying to him?'

16Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

16Look, their prosperity is not in their own hands; the plans of the wicked are far from me.

17How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.

17How often is the lamp of the wicked put out! How often does disaster fall on them! God hands out sorrows in his anger.

18They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.

18They are like straw before the wind, like chaff the storm carries off.

19God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.

19God stores up the wicked man's guilt for his children; let him repay the man himself, so that he knows it.

20His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

20Let his own eyes see his ruin; let him drink the anger of the Almighty.

21For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?

21For what does he care about his family after he is gone, when the number of his months is cut short?

22Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.

22Can anyone teach God knowledge, when he is the one who judges even those on high?

23One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.

23One man dies in full strength, completely at ease and untroubled,

24His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.

24his body well nourished and his bones moist with marrow.

25And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.

25Another dies with a bitter soul, never having tasted anything good.

26They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.

26They lie down alike in the dust, and worms cover them both.

27Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.

27Look, I know what you are thinking, the schemes you wrongly plot against me.

28For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?

28For you say, 'Where is the great man's house now? Where are the tents where the wicked lived?'

29Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,

29Have you never asked people who travel the roads? Do you not accept what they report,

30That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.

30that the wicked man is kept back for the day of disaster and led out on the day of wrath?

31Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?

31Who confronts him to his face about how he lives? Who pays him back for what he has done?

32Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.

32Yet he is carried to the grave, and he rests in his tomb.

33The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.

33The soil of the valley is sweet to him; everyone follows after him, as countless others went before.

34How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?

34So how can you comfort me with empty words, when your answers are nothing but lies?"

22Eliphaz Accuses Job of Crimes

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,

1Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered:

2Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself?

2"Can a man be of any use to God, the way a wise man is of use to himself?

3Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?

3Does it give the Almighty any pleasure that you are righteous? Does he gain anything if your ways are blameless?

4Will he reprove thee for fear of thee? will he enter with thee into judgment?

4Is it because he is afraid of you that he corrects you and takes you to court?

5Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite?

5Isn't your wickedness great? Aren't your sins endless?

6For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, and stripped the naked of their clothing.

6For you took a pledge from your brother for no reason and stripped people of their clothes, leaving them naked.

7Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.

7You gave no water to the weary, and you kept bread from the hungry.

8But as for the mighty man, he had the earth; and the honourable man dwelt in it.

8But the powerful man got the land, and the honored man lived on it.

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

9You sent widows away with nothing, and the arms of orphans were broken.

10Therefore snares are round about thee, and sudden fear troubleth thee;

10That is why traps surround you and sudden fear terrifies you,

11Or darkness, that thou canst not see; and abundance of waters cover thee.

11or darkness so thick you cannot see, and a flood of water covers you.

12Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are!

12Isn't God high in the heavens? Look at the highest stars, how far up they are!

13And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud?

13Yet you say, 'What does God know? Can he judge through such thick darkness?

14Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven.

14Thick clouds wrap around him so he cannot see, as he walks the vault of heaven.'

15Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?

15Will you keep to the old road that wicked men have walked?

16Which were cut down out of time, whose foundation was overflown with a flood:

16They were snatched away before their time; their foundations were washed out by a flood.

17Which said unto God, Depart from us: and what can the Almighty do for them?

17They said to God, 'Leave us alone. What can the Almighty do for us?'

18Yet he filled their houses with good things: but the counsel of the wicked is far from me.

18Yet he was the one who filled their houses with good things. But the plans of the wicked are far from me.

19The righteous see it, and are glad: and the innocent laugh them to scorn.

19The righteous see their downfall and are glad; the innocent laugh them to scorn:

20Whereas our substance is not cut down, but the remnant of them the fire consumeth.

20'Our own wealth is not cut off, but what is left of them the fire devours.'

21Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.

21Get to know him now and be at peace; that way good will come to you.

22Receive, I pray thee, the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.

22Please accept instruction from his mouth and store his words in your heart.

23If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.

23If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up again; if you put wrongdoing far from your tents,

24Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.

24then you will lay gold down like dust, the gold of Ophir like stones in a streambed.

25Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver.

25Yes, the Almighty will be your defense, and you will have plenty of silver.

26For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shalt lift up thy face unto God.

26Then you will find your delight in the Almighty and lift up your face to God.

27Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he shall hear thee, and thou shalt pay thy vows.

27You will pray to him and he will hear you, and you will keep the promises you made him.

28Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.

28Whatever you decide will be done for you, and light will shine on your paths.

29When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.

29When others are brought low, you will say, 'Lift them up!' and he will save the humble.

30He shall deliver the island of the innocent: and it is delivered by the pureness of thine hands.

30He will rescue the dwelling of the innocent; it will be rescued through the cleanness of your hands."

23Job Searches for God's Courtroom

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Then Job answered and said,

1Then Job answered:

2Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.

2"Even today my complaint is bitter; the blow I have taken is heavier than my groaning.

3Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!

3If only I knew where to find him, so that I could go to where he sits!

4I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

4I would lay out my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.

5I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

5I would learn the words he would answer me with, and understand what he would say to me.

6Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.

6Would he argue against me with his great power? No; he would give me strength instead.

7There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

7There an upright man could reason with him, and I would be set free from my judge forever.

8Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:

8But look: I go forward, and he is not there; backward, and I cannot sense him.

9On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:

9On the left, where he is at work, I cannot see him; he hides himself on the right, and I cannot catch sight of him.

10But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

10But he knows the road I am taking; when he has tested me, I will come out like gold.

11My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

11My feet have followed his footsteps; I have kept to his way and not turned aside.

12Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

12I have not turned back from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily food.

13But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

13But his mind is made up, and who can change it? Whatever he wants, he does.

14For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.

14For he carries out what has been appointed for me, and he has many more plans like it.

15Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him.

15That is why I am terrified in his presence; when I think about it, I am afraid of him.

16For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:

16God has made my heart faint, and the Almighty has filled me with dread,

17Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.

17because I was not cut off before the darkness came, and he has not hidden the thick darkness from my face.

24Job on the Violence God Ignores

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know him not see his days?

1Since times are not hidden from the Almighty, why do those who know him never see his days?

2Some remove the landmarks; they violently take away flocks, and feed thereof.

2Some people move boundary stones; they steal flocks and pasture them as their own.

3They drive away the ass of the fatherless, they take the widow’s ox for a pledge.

3They drive off the orphan's donkey and take the widow's ox as a pledge.

4They turn the needy out of the way: the poor of the earth hide themselves together.

4They shove the needy off the road; the poor of the land all go into hiding.

5Behold, as wild asses in the desert, go they forth to their work; rising betimes for a prey: the wilderness yieldeth food for them and for their children.

5Look, like wild donkeys in the desert the poor go out to their work, searching early for food; the wasteland gives food for them and their children.

6They reap every one his corn in the field: and they gather the vintage of the wicked.

6They each harvest grain in the field, and they gather the leftover grapes of the wicked.

7They cause the naked to lodge without clothing, that they have no covering in the cold.

7They spend the night naked, without clothes; they have nothing to cover them in the cold.

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

8They are soaked by mountain rains and hug the rocks for lack of shelter.

9They pluck the fatherless from the breast, and take a pledge of the poor.

9The wicked snatch the fatherless child from the breast and seize what the poor own as a pledge.

10They cause him to go naked without clothing, and they take away the sheaf from the hungry;

10They make the poor go about naked, without clothing, and they carry off the sheaves from the hungry;

11Which make oil within their walls, and tread their winepresses, and suffer thirst.

11the poor press out oil inside those men's walls and tread the winepresses, yet go thirsty.

12Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out: yet God layeth not folly to them.

12People groan in the city, and the souls of the wounded cry out; yet God charges no one with wrongdoing.

13They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.

13There are those who rebel against the light; they do not know its ways or stay on its paths.

14The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief.

14The murderer gets up at dawn to kill the poor and needy, and at night he prowls like a thief.

15The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth his face.

15The eye of the adulterer watches for dusk; he says, 'No one will see me,' and covers his face.

16In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light.

16In the dark they break into houses they had marked out for themselves by day; they want nothing to do with the light.

17For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death.

17For to them the morning is like the shadow of death; if anyone recognizes them, the terrors of that deep darkness seize them.

18He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards.

18Such a man is swept off swiftly like foam on the water; his share of the land is cursed; he never turns toward the vineyards.

19Drought and heat consume the snow waters: so doth the grave those which have sinned.

19As drought and heat snatch away the snow waters, so the grave snatches away those who have sinned.

20The womb shall forget him; the worm shall feed sweetly on him; he shall be no more remembered; and wickedness shall be broken as a tree.

20The womb forgets him; the worm feasts on him; he is remembered no more, and wickedness is snapped like a tree.

21He evil entreateth the barren that beareth not: and doeth not good to the widow.

21He preys on the childless woman who never gave birth, and he shows no kindness to the widow.

22He draweth also the mighty with his power: he riseth up, and no man is sure of life.

22He drags away the mighty by his power; he rises up, and no one is sure of his life.

23Though it be given him to be in safety, whereon he resteth; yet his eyes are upon their ways.

23He may be allowed to feel secure and to rest on it, but God's eyes are on his ways.

24They are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low; they are taken out of the way as all other, and cut off as the tops of the ears of corn.

24They are lifted high for a little while, then they are gone, brought low; they are gathered up like everyone else and cut off like the heads of grain.

25And if it be not so now, who will make me a liar, and make my speech nothing worth?

25If this is not so, who can prove me a liar and make my words worth nothing?"

25Bildad's Short Third Speech

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,

1Then Bildad the Shuhite answered:

2Dominion and fear are with him, he maketh peace in his high places.

2"Dominion and awe belong to him; he keeps peace in his high heavens.

3Is there any number of his armies? and upon whom doth not his light arise?

3Can his armies be counted? On whom does his light not rise?

4How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?

4How then can a man be right with God? How can anyone born of a woman be clean?

5Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight.

5Look, even the moon does not shine brightly, and the stars are not pure in his sight.

6How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, which is a worm?

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

26Job Answers: The Edges of God's Ways

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1But Job answered and said,

1Then Job answered:

2How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength?

2"What a help you have been to the powerless! How you have rescued the arm that has no strength!

3How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?

3What advice you have given the man with no wisdom! How fully you have explained the way things are!

4To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?

4Who helped you say these words? Whose spirit was speaking through you?

5Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof.

5Dead things take shape beneath the waters, and so do the creatures that live there.

6Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.

6Hell is laid bare before him, and the place of destruction has no covering.

7He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.

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

8He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them.

8He wraps up the waters in his thick clouds, and the clouds do not burst under their weight.

9He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it.

9He covers the face of his throne and spreads his cloud over it.

10He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.

10He has set a boundary around the waters, to last until day and night come to an end.

11The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.

11The pillars of heaven shake and are stunned at his rebuke.

12He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud.

12By his power he splits the sea; by his understanding he strikes down the proud.

13By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent.

13By his breath he made the heavens beautiful; his hand formed the twisting serpent.

14Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?

14Look, these are only the edges of his ways; how faint a whisper we hear of him! But who can understand the thunder of his power?"

27Job Holds Fast His Integrity

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,

1Job went on with his speech and said,

2As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul;

2"As surely as God lives, the one who has denied me justice, the Almighty who has made my life bitter,

3All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils;

3as long as there is breath in me and the breath of God is in my nostrils,

4My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.

4my lips will not say anything wicked, and my tongue will not speak a lie.

5God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.

5Never will I admit that you are right! Until the day I die, I will not let go of my integrity.

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

6I hold tight to my innocence and will not give it up; my conscience will not accuse me as long as I live.

7Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous.

7May my enemy be treated like the wicked, and whoever rises up against me like the unjust.

8For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?

8For what hope does a godless man have, whatever he has gained, when God takes away his life?

9Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?

9Will God listen to his cry when trouble comes down on him?

10Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call upon God?

10Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he keep calling on God at all times?

11I will teach you by the hand of God: that which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.

11I will teach you about the hand of God; I will not hide what the Almighty has in store.

12Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; why then are ye thus altogether vain?

12Look, all of you have seen it for yourselves. So why do you talk such empty nonsense?

13This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty.

13This is the share God gives a wicked man, the inheritance that oppressors receive from the Almighty:

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

14If his children multiply, it is only for the sword, and his descendants will never have enough bread.

15Those that remain of him shall be buried in death: and his widows shall not weep.

15Those who survive him will be buried by the plague, and his widows will not weep for them.

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

16Though he piles up silver like dust and stacks up clothing like heaps of clay,

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

17he may lay it up, but the righteous will wear it, and the innocent will divide the silver.

18He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth that the keeper maketh.

18The house he builds is as flimsy as a moth's cocoon, like a hut a watchman throws together.

19The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered: he openeth his eyes, and he is not.

19He lies down rich, but he will never do so again; he opens his eyes, and it is all gone.

20Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him away in the night.

20Terrors sweep over him like a flood; a storm snatches him away in the night.

21The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth: and as a storm hurleth him out of his place.

21The east wind carries him off, and he is gone; it whirls him out of his place.

22For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand.

22God hurls it against him without mercy, though he tries desperately to escape his hand.

23Men shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place.

23People clap their hands at him in scorn and hiss him out of his place.

28The Poem on Where Wisdom Is Found

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it.

1There is surely a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined.

2Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone.

2Iron is dug out of the ground, and copper is melted out of rock.

3He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death.

3Man puts an end to the darkness; he searches the farthest depths for ore in the blackest gloom, the shadow of death.

4The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men.

4He breaks open a shaft far from where anyone lives, in places forgotten by every foot; there the waters dry up and drain away from men.

5As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.

5The earth gives bread from its surface, but underneath it is churned up as if by fire.

6The stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold.

6Its stones are the home of sapphires, and its dust holds gold.

7There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen:

7There is a path no bird of prey knows, one that no vulture's eye has ever seen.

8The lion’s whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it.

8The lion's cubs have never set foot on it, and no fierce lion has passed along it.

9He putteth forth his hand upon the rock; he overturneth the mountains by the roots.

9Man lays his hand on the hard rock; he overturns mountains by their roots.

10He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and his eye seeth every precious thing.

10He cuts channels through the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing.

11He bindeth the floods from overflowing; and the thing that is hid bringeth he forth to light.

11He dams up the streams so they do not flow, and he brings hidden things out into the light.

12But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?

12But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?

13Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.

13No man knows its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.

14The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me.

14The deep says, 'It is not in me,' and the sea says, 'It is not with me.'

15It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.

15It cannot be bought with gold, nor can silver be weighed out as its price.

16It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

16It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or sapphire.

17The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.

17Gold and crystal cannot compare with it, nor can it be traded for jewels set in fine gold.

18No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.

18Coral and pearls are not even worth mentioning; the price of wisdom is above rubies.

19The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

19The topaz of Ethiopia cannot compare with it, and it cannot be valued in pure gold.

20Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?

20Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding?

21Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.

21It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing and concealed even from the birds of the air.

22Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.

22Destruction and Death say, 'We have only heard a rumor of it with our ears.'

23God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.

23God understands the way to it, and he knows where it lives.

24For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven;

24For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the whole sky.

25To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure.

25When he gave the wind its weight and measured out the waters,

26When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:

26when he made a rule for the rain and a path for the lightning of the thunder,

27Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.

27then he saw wisdom and declared it; he set it in place and searched it out.

28And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

28And he said to mankind, 'Look: the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom, and turning away from evil is understanding.'"

29Job Recalls His Days of Honor

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Moreover Job continued his parable, and said,

1Job went on with his speech and said,

2Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;

2"How I wish I were back in the months gone by, in the days when God watched over me,

3When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;

3when his lamp shone above my head, and by his light I walked through the darkness;

4As I was in the days of my youth, when the secret of God was upon my tabernacle;

4as I was in the prime of my life, when God's friendship rested on my tent;

5When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me;

5when the Almighty was still with me, and my children were all around me;

6When I washed my steps with butter, and the rock poured me out rivers of oil;

6when my steps were bathed in cream, and the rock poured out streams of olive oil for me;

7When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street!

7when I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the public square.

8The young men saw me, and hid themselves: and the aged arose, and stood up.

8The young men saw me and stepped out of sight; the old men rose and stood up.

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

9The princes stopped talking and put their hands over their mouths.

10The nobles held their peace, and their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.

10The nobles fell silent; their tongues stuck to the roofs of their mouths.

11When the ear heard me, then it blessed me; and when the eye saw me, it gave witness to me:

11Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and whoever saw me gave a good report of me,

12Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him.

12because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless child who had no one to help him.

13The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.

13The blessing of the dying man came upon me, and I made the widow's heart sing for joy.

14I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.

14I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and my crown.

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

15I was eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.

16I was a father to the poor: and the cause which I knew not I searched out.

16I was a father to the poor, and I took up the case of a stranger and looked into it.

17And I brake the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth.

17I broke the jaws of the wicked and snatched the prey out of their teeth.

18Then I said, I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand.

18I thought, 'I will die in my own nest, and my days will be as many as the grains of sand.

19My root was spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.

19My roots reach out to the water, and the dew lies all night on my branches.

20My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.

20My honor stays fresh in me, and the bow in my hand is always new.'

21Unto me men gave ear, and waited, and kept silence at my counsel.

21People listened to me and waited; they kept quiet for my advice.

22After my words they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them.

22After I spoke, they said nothing more; my words fell gently on them.

23And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.

23They waited for me as for the rain; they opened their mouths wide as for the spring showers.

24If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down.

24When I smiled at them, they could hardly believe it, and they never let the light of my face go dim.

25I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.

25I chose the way for them and sat as their chief; I lived like a king among his troops, like one who comforts those who mourn.

30Job Mocked and Broken Down

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.

1"But now men younger than I laugh at me, men whose fathers I would not have put with the dogs that guard my flock.

2Yea, whereto might the strength of their hands profit me, in whom old age was perished?

2What good was the strength of their hands to me? Their vigor had wasted away.

3For want and famine they were solitary; fleeing into the wilderness in former time desolate and waste.

3Gaunt from need and hunger, they fled alone into the wilderness, into wasteland long desolate and empty.

4Who cut up mallows by the bushes, and juniper roots for their meat.

4They pulled up mallow among the bushes, and the roots of the broom tree were their food.

5They were driven forth from among men, (they cried after them as after a thief;)

5They were driven out from among people, shouted at as if they were thieves,

6To dwell in the cliffs of the valleys, in caves of the earth, and in the rocks.

6so that they lived in the gullies of the valleys, in holes in the ground and among the rocks.

7Among the bushes they brayed; under the nettles they were gathered together.

7They brayed like animals among the bushes and huddled together under the nettles.

8They were children of fools, yea, children of base men: they were viler than the earth.

8They were children of fools, children of worthless men; they were counted lower than the dirt.

9And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword.

9And now I am the subject of their songs; I have become a byword to them.

10They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face.

10They despise me and keep their distance; they do not hesitate to spit in my face.

11Because he hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me.

11Because God has loosened my cord and brought me low, they have thrown off all restraint in front of me.

12Upon my right hand rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction.

12On my right side the rabble rise up; they trip my feet and build up their siege ramps to destroy me.

13They mar my path, they set forward my calamity, they have no helper.

13They tear up my path; they push my downfall along, and they need no one to help them.

14They came upon me as a wide breaking in of waters: in the desolation they rolled themselves upon me.

14They come at me like water through a wide breach; in the crash of ruin they roll over me.

15Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud.

15Terrors have turned on me; they chase away my dignity like the wind, and my safety vanishes like a cloud.

16And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.

16And now my life is draining out of me; days of suffering have taken hold of me.

17My bones are pierced in me in the night season: and my sinews take no rest.

17At night my bones are pierced within me, and the pain that gnaws me never rests.

18By the great force of my disease is my garment changed: it bindeth me about as the collar of my coat.

18With great force my sickness grips my clothing; it binds me like the collar of my coat.

19He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes.

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

20I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not.

20I cry out to you, and you do not answer me; I stand up, and you pay no attention to me.

21Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me.

21You have turned cruel to me; with your strong hand you fight against me.

22Thou liftest me up to the wind; thou causest me to ride upon it, and dissolvest my substance.

22You snatch me up and set me riding on the wind; you toss me about in the storm and dissolve all that I am.

23For I know that thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.

23I know you are bringing me down to death, to the house appointed for every living thing.

24Howbeit he will not stretch out his hand to the grave, though they cry in his destruction.

24Yet surely no one stretches out his hand against a man already in the grave, when he cries out in his ruin.

25Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor?

25Did I not weep for those who were having hard times? Was my soul not grieved for the poor?

26When I looked for good, then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.

26But when I hoped for good, evil came; when I waited for light, darkness arrived.

27My bowels boiled, and rested not: the days of affliction prevented me.

27My insides churn and never rest; days of suffering have come to meet me.

28I went mourning without the sun: I stood up, and I cried in the congregation.

28I go about darkened, but not by the sun; I stand up in the assembly and cry for help.

29I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.

29I have become a brother to jackals and a companion to owls.

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

30My skin turns black and peels off me, and my bones burn with fever.

31My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.

31My harp is tuned to mourning, and my flute to the sound of weeping.

31Job's Final Oath of Innocence

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

1"I made a solemn agreement with my eyes; how then could I gaze with longing at a young woman?

2For what portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high?

2For what would be my share from God above, my inheritance from the Almighty on high?

3Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity?

3Is it not disaster for the wicked, and calamity for those who do wrong?

4Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?

4Does he not see my ways and count my every step?

5If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit;

5If I have walked with falsehood, or if my foot has hurried after deceit,

6Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity.

6let God weigh me on honest scales, so that he may know my integrity.

7If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;

7If my step has strayed from the path, if my heart has followed my eyes, or if any stain has clung to my hands,

8Then let me sow, and let another eat; yea, let my offspring be rooted out.

8then let me sow and someone else eat it, and let my offspring be torn up by the roots.

9If mine heart have been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour’s door;

9If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbor's door,

10Then let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her.

10then let my wife grind grain for another man, and let other men sleep with her.

11For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges.

11For that would be a shameful crime, a sin the judges must punish.

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

12It is a fire that burns all the way to destruction; it would uproot everything I have harvested.

13If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me;

13If I have brushed aside the complaint of my male or female servant when they had a grievance against me,

14What then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?

14what will I do when God stands up? When he comes to examine me, what will I answer him?

15Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one fashion us in the womb?

15Did not the one who made me in the womb make them too? Did not the same God form us both in the womb?

16If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail;

16If I have refused the poor what they wanted, or let the eyes of the widow grow weary with waiting,

17Or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof;

17or eaten my bread by myself without sharing it with the fatherless

18(For from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother’s womb;)

18(no, from my youth he grew up with me as with a father, and from my mother's womb I have been the widow's guide);

19If I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering;

19if I have seen anyone dying for lack of clothes, or a poor man with nothing to cover him,

20If his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;

20and his body did not bless me, and he was not warmed with the wool of my sheep;

21If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate:

21if I have raised my hand against the fatherless because I knew I had support at the city gate,

22Then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone.

22then let my arm fall from my shoulder, and let it be broken off at the joint.

23For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure.

23For destruction from God was a terror to me, and because of his majesty I could not do such things.

24If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence;

24If I have put my hope in gold, or said to fine gold, 'You are my security';

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

25if I gloated because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gained so much;

26If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness;

26if I looked at the sun when it shone, or the moon moving in its brightness,

27And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:

27and my heart was secretly seduced, and my mouth kissed my hand in their honor,

28This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.

28that too would be a sin for the judges to punish, for I would have been unfaithful to God above.

29If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:

29If I rejoiced when my enemy was ruined, or gloated when trouble came to him,

30Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.

30no, I have never let my mouth sin by calling down a curse on his life;

31If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied.

31if the men of my tent did not say, 'Oh, if only we could have some of his meat! We can never get enough';

32The stranger did not lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller.

32no stranger ever had to sleep in the street, for I opened my doors to the traveler;

33If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom:

33if I have hidden my sins the way Adam did, by tucking my guilt away in my heart,

34Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?

34because I feared the crowd, or the scorn of the clans terrified me, so that I kept quiet and would not go out my door.

35Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.

35Oh, if only someone would hear me! Look, this is what I want: for the Almighty to answer me, and for my accuser to have written out his charges in a book.

36Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me.

36I would surely carry it on my shoulder and wear it like a crown.

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

37I would give him an account of every step I have taken; like a prince I would go up to him.

38If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain;

38If my land has cried out against me, and its furrows have wept together;

39If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life:

39if I have eaten its produce without paying, or caused its owners to lose their lives,

40Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.

40then let thistles grow instead of wheat, and weeds instead of barley." The words of Job are ended.

32Elihu, a Fourth Speaker, Breaks In

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

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

1So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

2Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.

2Then Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He was angry at Job because Job had declared himself right instead of God.

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

3He was angry at Job's three friends too, because they had found no answer and yet had condemned Job.

4Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he.

4Now Elihu had waited until Job finished speaking, because the others were older than he was.

5When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled.

5But when Elihu saw that these three men had nothing more to say, his anger flared up.

6And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.

6So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite spoke up and said, "I am young, and you are very old; that is why I held back and did not dare to tell you what I think.

7I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.

7I said to myself, 'Let age speak; let many years teach wisdom.'

8But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

8But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives understanding.

9Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment.

9Great men are not always wise, and the old do not always understand what is right.

10Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion.

10So I say, listen to me; I too will tell you what I think.

11Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say.

11Look, I waited for your words; I listened to your reasoning while you searched for what to say.

12Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words:

12I paid close attention to you, and look, not one of you proved Job wrong or answered his arguments.

13Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man.

13So do not say, 'We have found wisdom; let God bring him down, not a man.'

14Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches.

14Job has not aimed his words at me, and I will not answer him with your speeches.

15They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking.

15They are dismayed and answer no more; words have failed them.

16When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;)

16Must I keep waiting, now that they no longer speak, but just stand there and give no more answer?

17I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.

17No, I will give my own answer too; I too will tell you what I think.

18For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me.

18For I am full of words, and the spirit inside me presses me on.

19Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

19Look, inside I am like wine with no vent; I am ready to burst like new wineskins.

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

20I must speak so I can find relief; I will open my lips and answer.

21Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.

21I will not take anyone's side, and I will not flatter any man with grand titles.

22For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.

22I do not know how to flatter; if I did, my Maker would soon take me away.

33Elihu on How God Speaks

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

1"But now, Job, please hear what I have to say; listen to all my words.

2Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.

2Look, I am opening my mouth; my tongue is forming the words.

3My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.

3My words come from an honest heart, and my lips will speak plainly what I know.

4The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

4The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

5If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.

5Answer me if you can; arrange your case before me and take your stand.

6Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay.

6Look, before God I am just what you are; I too was shaped out of clay.

7Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.

7So no dread of me need frighten you, and my hand will not press heavily on you.

8Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,

8Now, you have spoken where I could hear you, and I have heard the very words you said:

9I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.

9'I am pure, without any wrongdoing; I am innocent, and there is no guilt in me.

10Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,

10Yet God finds reasons to fault me; he counts me as his enemy.

11He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.

11He locks my feet in the stocks; he watches every path I take.'

12Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.

12Look, I tell you, in this you are not right, for God is greater than any man.

13Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

13Why do you argue against him? He does not have to give an account of anything he does.

14For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.

14For God does speak, once and even twice, though no one notices it.

15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;

15In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie drowsing in bed,

16Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,

16then he opens their ears and puts his seal on the instruction he gives,

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

17to turn a person away from his plans and to keep him from pride.

18He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

18He holds back his soul from the pit and his life from dying by the sword.

19He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:

19A person may also be corrected by pain on his bed, with constant aching in his bones,

20So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.

20so that he loses all appetite for food; even the finest dishes disgust him.

21His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.

21His flesh wastes away until it can hardly be seen, and the bones that were once hidden stick out.

22Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.

22His soul draws near to the grave, and his life to the messengers of death.

23If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:

23But if there is a messenger beside him, a go-between, one in a thousand, to show a person what is right,

24Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.

24then God is gracious to him and says, 'Spare him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom.'

25His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s: he shall return to the days of his youth:

25Then his flesh becomes fresher than a child's; he returns to the days of his youth.

26He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.

26He prays to God, and God shows him favor; he sees God's face with joy, for God gives the man back his right standing.

27He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;

27He looks at people, and if any says, 'I have sinned and twisted what was right, and it did me no good,'

28He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.

28God rescues his soul from going into the pit, and his life sees the light.

29Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,

29See, God does all these things for a person, time and time again,

30To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.

30to bring back his soul from the pit, so that he may shine with the light of the living.

31Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.

31Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.

32If thou hast anything to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.

32If you have anything to say, answer me; speak up, for I would gladly find you in the right.

33If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.

33But if not, then listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom."

34Elihu Defends God's Justice

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Furthermore Elihu answered and said,

1Then Elihu went on and said,

2Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.

2"Hear my words, you wise men; listen to me, you who have knowledge.

3For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.

3For the ear tests words the way the mouth tastes food.

4Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good.

4Let us decide among ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

5For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.

5For Job has said, 'I am righteous, but God has taken away my justice.

6Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.

6Should I lie about my own case? My wound cannot be healed, though I have done no wrong.'

7What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?

7What man is like Job, who drinks up scorn like water,

8Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity, and walketh with wicked men.

8who keeps company with those who do evil and walks along with wicked men?

9For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.

9For he has said, 'It does a person no good to try to please God.'

10Therefore hearken unto me ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

10So listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God to do evil, far be it from the Almighty to do wrong.

11For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

11He pays back a person for what he has done; he makes everyone reap what his own ways deserve.

12Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

12Truly, God will not do evil; the Almighty will not twist justice.

13Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?

13Who put him in charge of the earth? Who set the whole world in order?

14If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath;

14If he set his heart on it, if he gathered back to himself his spirit and his breath,

15All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

15all flesh would perish together, and man would return to the dust.

16If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.

16If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I am saying.

17Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?

17Could one who hates justice really govern? Will you condemn the One who is most just?

18Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?

18Is it right to say to a king, 'You are worthless,' or to nobles, 'You are wicked'?

19How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.

19How much less to the One who shows no favoritism to princes and does not regard the rich above the poor? For they are all the work of his hands.

20In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.

20In a moment they die; at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are removed without a human hand.

21For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.

21For his eyes are on the ways of every person; he sees every step they take.

22There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

22There is no darkness, no deep shadow, where those who do evil can hide.

23For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into judgment with God.

23For he does not lay on anyone more than is right, so that he should need to bring a case against God.

24He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.

24He shatters mighty men beyond counting and puts others in their place.

25Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

25So he knows what they have done; he overturns them in the night, and they are crushed.

26He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;

26He strikes them down for their wickedness in a place where everyone can see,

27Because they turned back from him, and would not consider any of his ways:

27because they turned away from following him and paid no attention to any of his ways.

28So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.

28They made the cry of the poor rise up to him, and he hears the cry of the afflicted.

29When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:

29When he gives peace, who can stir up trouble? When he hides his face, who can see him? It is the same whether it is a nation or one man alone,

30That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.

30so that a godless man does not reign and the people are not trapped.

31Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:

31Surely the right thing is to say to God, 'I have taken my punishment; I will not offend anymore.

32That which I see not teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will do no more.

32Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.'

33Should it be according to thy mind? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou choose; and not I: therefore speak what thou knowest.

33Should God repay on your terms, just because you object? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.

34Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man hearken unto me.

34Men of understanding will tell me, and any wise man who hears me will agree:

35Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdom.

35Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack wisdom.

36My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men.

36How I wish Job would be tested to the very end, because he answers like a wicked man!

37For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands among us, and multiplieth his words against God.

37For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands in scorn among us and piles up his words against God."

35Elihu on Why God Seems Silent

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Elihu spake moreover, and said,

1Elihu went on to say,

2Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God’s?

2"Do you think this is right? You say, 'I am more in the right than God.'

3For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?

3For you ask, 'What good does it do you? What do I gain by being cleansed from my sin?'

4I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.

4I will answer you, and your friends along with you.

5Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.

5Look up at the heavens and see; gaze at the clouds high above you.

6If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?

6If you sin, what harm does that do to him? If your wrongs multiply, what does that do to him?

7If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?

7If you are righteous, what do you give him? What does he receive from your hand?

8Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.

8Your wickedness affects only a person like yourself, and your righteousness helps only other human beings.

9By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.

9People cry out under the weight of oppression; they call for help against the arm of the powerful.

10But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;

10But no one says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,

11Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?

11who teaches us more than the beasts of the earth and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?'

12There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.

12They cry out there, but he gives no answer, because of the pride of evil men.

13Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.

13Surely God does not listen to empty words; the Almighty pays them no attention.

14Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.

14Even though you say you will not see him, your case is before him; so trust in him.

15But now, because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity:

15But now, because it is not so, he has come in anger; yet he does not fully take notice, even in great trouble.

16Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.

16So Job opens his mouth for nothing; he piles up words without knowledge."

36Elihu on Affliction and God's Greatness

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Elihu also proceeded, and said,

1Elihu continued and said,

2Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God’s behalf.

2"Bear with me a little longer, and I will show you that there is still more to say on God's behalf.

3I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

3I will bring my knowledge from far away, and I will give my Maker the credit for being just.

4For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.

4Truly my words are not false; one who has complete knowledge is here with you.

5Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.

5Look, God is mighty, yet he does not despise anyone; he is mighty in strength and in wisdom.

6He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.

6He does not keep the wicked alive, but he gives the poor their rights.

7He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.

7He never takes his eyes off the righteous; he seats them with kings on the throne, he sets them there forever, and they are lifted high.

8And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;

8And if they are bound in chains and held tight by the cords of suffering,

9Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.

9then he shows them what they have done, and how their sins have gotten out of hand.

10He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.

10He opens their ears to correction and commands them to turn away from wrongdoing.

11If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

11If they listen and serve him, they will live out their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.

12But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.

12But if they do not listen, they will die by the sword; they will die without ever understanding.

13But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.

13But those with godless hearts store up anger; they do not cry for help when he binds them.

14They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.

14They die while still young; their life ends among the unclean.

15He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.

15He rescues the poor through their suffering; he opens their ears through hardship.

16Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.

16Yes, he would have led you out of the narrow place into a wide open space with no cramping, and your table would have been loaded with rich food.

17But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.

17But you are filled with the judgment due to the wicked; judgment and justice have taken hold of you.

18Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.

18Because there is wrath, be careful that he does not sweep you away with one blow; then even a great ransom could not save you.

19Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.

19Would he value your riches? No, not gold, nor all your mighty strength.

20Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.

20Do not long for the night, when whole peoples are cut off where they stand.

21Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.

21Be careful; do not turn to evil, for this is what you have chosen instead of suffering.

22Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?

22Look, God is lifted high in his power; who is a teacher like him?

23Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?

23Who has laid out his path for him? Who can say to him, 'You have done wrong'?

24Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.

24Remember to praise his work, which people see.

25Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.

25Everyone can see it; people gaze at it from far away.

26Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.

26Look, God is great, beyond our knowing; the number of his years cannot be counted.

27For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:

27He draws up the drops of water; they fall as rain from the mist he makes,

28Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.

28which the clouds pour out and shower down on people in abundance.

29Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?

29Can anyone understand how the clouds spread out, or the thunder from his pavilion?

30Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.

30Look, he spreads his lightning around himself and covers the depths of the sea.

31For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.

31By these he judges the peoples; by these he gives food in plenty.

32With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.

32He covers the light with clouds and commands it not to shine because of the cloud that comes between.

33The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.

33Its thunder tells of the coming storm; even the cattle sense what is rising in the air.

37Elihu on the Thunder of God

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1At this also my heart trembleth, and is moved out of his place.

1"At this my heart pounds too, and leaps right out of its place.

2Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth.

2Listen closely to the roar of his voice, and the rumble that comes out of his mouth.

3He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.

3He sends it out under the whole sky, and his lightning to the ends of the earth.

4After it a voice roareth: he thundereth with the voice of his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard.

4After it a voice roars; he thunders with his majestic voice, and he does not hold the flashes back when his voice is heard.

5God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

5God thunders wonderfully with his voice; he does great things that we cannot understand.

6For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength.

6For he says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and the same to the gentle rain and to the pouring rain of his strength.

7He sealeth up the hand of every man; that all men may know his work.

7He stops the hand of every man from its work, so that all people may know what he has done.

8Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.

8Then the animals go into their dens and stay in their shelters.

9Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.

9Out of the south comes the whirlwind, and cold comes out of the north.

10By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened.

10By the breath of God ice is made, and the wide waters are frozen tight.

11Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud:

11He also loads the thick cloud with moisture; he scatters his bright cloud,

12And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.

12and it is turned this way and that by his guidance, so that they do whatever he commands them across the face of the whole world.

13He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.

13He makes it come, whether to correct, or for the good of his land, or as a kindness.

14Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

14Listen to this, Job: stand still and think about the wonderful works of God.

15Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?

15Do you know how God arranges them, and makes the lightning of his cloud flash?

16Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?

16Do you know how the clouds hang balanced, the wonderful works of the one whose knowledge is perfect?

17How thy garments are warm, when he quieteth the earth by the south wind?

17Do you know why your clothes grow hot when he stills the earth under the south wind?

18Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?

18Did you help him spread out the sky, hard as a mirror of poured metal?

19Teach us what we shall say unto him; for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.

19Teach us what we should say to him; we cannot put our case together, because we are in the dark.

20Shall it be told him that I speak? if a man speak, surely he shall be swallowed up.

20Should he be told that I want to speak? If a man spoke like that, surely he would be swallowed up.

21And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.

21And now no one can look at the bright light in the sky when the wind has passed and swept it clear.

22Fair weather cometh out of the north: with God is terrible majesty.

22Golden splendor comes out of the north; around God is awesome majesty.

23Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.

23As for the Almighty, we cannot reach him; he is mighty in power and in judgment and rich in justice, and he does not oppress.

24Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.

24That is why people fear him; he pays no attention to those who think themselves wise."

38The LORD Answers from the Whirlwind

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

1Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,

2Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

2"Who is this who clouds my plans with words that have no knowledge behind them?

3Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

3Brace yourself now like a man; I am going to question you, and you will answer me.

4Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

4Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you understand.

5Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

5Who set its measurements, if you know? Or who stretched the measuring line across it?

6Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

6What were its footings sunk into? Or who laid its cornerstone,

7When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

7while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

8Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?

8Or who shut the sea in behind doors when it burst out, as if pouring from the womb,

9When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,

9when I made the clouds its clothing and thick darkness its baby blanket,

10And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,

10and marked out the limit I had set for it, and put up bars and doors,

11And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

11and said, 'This far you may come, but no farther; here your proud waves must stop'?

12Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;

12Have you ever in your life given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place,

13That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?

13so that it could take hold of the edges of the earth and shake the wicked out of it?

14It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment.

14The earth takes shape like clay under a seal, and its features stand out like a garment.

15And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken.

15The wicked are robbed of their light, and the arm raised to strike is broken.

16Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?

16Have you gone down to the springs of the sea, or walked about in the deepest places of the ocean?

17Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?

17Have the gates of death been opened to you? Have you seen the doors of the deep shadow of death?

18Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.

18Have you taken in the whole width of the earth? Tell me, if you know it all.

19Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,

19Where is the road to the place where light lives? And darkness, where is its home,

20That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof?

20so that you could take each one back to its own territory, and know the paths to its house?

21Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?

21Surely you know, because you were born back then, and you have lived so many years!

22Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,

22Have you gone into the storehouses of the snow, or seen the storehouses of the hail,

23Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?

23which I have kept back for a time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?

24By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?

24By what road is the light divided, or the east wind scattered over the earth?

25Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;

25Who cut a channel for the flooding rain, and a path for the thunderbolt,

26To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;

26to bring rain on a land where no one lives, on a wilderness where there is no man,

27To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?

27to satisfy the empty, ruined ground and make the tender grass begin to sprout?

28Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?

28Does the rain have a father? Or who fathered the drops of dew?

29Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it?

29From whose womb did the ice come? And the frost of heaven, who gave birth to it,

30The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen.

30when the waters go hard as stone and the face of the deep is frozen?

31Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?

31Can you tie up the sweet bonds of the Pleiades, or untie the belt of Orion?

32Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?

32Can you bring out the constellations in their seasons, or guide the Great Bear with her cubs?

33Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth?

33Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up their rule over the earth?

34Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee?

34Can you shout up to the clouds so that a flood of water comes pouring down on you?

35Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?

35Can you send out lightning bolts so that they go, and report back to you, 'Here we are'?

36Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?

36Who put wisdom in the inner being, or gave understanding to the mind?

37Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,

37Who is wise enough to count the clouds? Or who can tip over the water jars of heaven,

38When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?

38when the dust hardens into a crust and the clods stick tightly together?

39Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,

39Will you hunt the prey for the lioness, or fill the hungry bellies of the young lions,

40When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?

40when they crouch in their dens and lie waiting in the thicket?

41Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

41Who provides the raven with its food when its young ones cry out to God and wander about for lack of something to eat?

39God Questions Job About Wild Animals

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth? or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?

1"Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch over the deer when she has her fawn?

2Canst thou number the months that they fulfil? or knowest thou the time when they bring forth?

2Can you count the months they carry their young, or do you know the time when they give birth?

3They bow themselves, they bring forth their young ones, they cast out their sorrows.

3They crouch down, they bring out their young, and their labor pains are over.

4Their young ones are in good liking, they grow up with corn; they go forth, and return not unto them.

4Their young ones grow healthy and strong out in the open; they go off and never come back to them.

5Who hath sent out the wild ass free? or who hath loosed the bands of the wild ass?

5Who set the wild donkey free? Who untied the ropes of that swift runner?

6Whose house I have made the wilderness, and the barren land his dwellings.

6I gave him the wilderness for his home, and the salt flats as his living place.

7He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.

7He laughs at the noise of the city; he never hears a driver shouting at him.

8The range of the mountains is his pasture, and he searcheth after every green thing.

8He roams the mountains as his pasture, and he hunts for every green thing.

9Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib?

9Will the wild ox agree to work for you, or spend the night beside your feeding trough?

10Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?

10Can you tie the wild ox to a plow with ropes and keep him in the furrow? Will he drag the harrow across the valleys behind you?

11Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great? or wilt thou leave thy labour to him?

11Will you rely on him because his strength is so great? Will you hand your heavy work over to him?

12Wilt thou believe him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather it into thy barn?

12Can you trust him to bring in your grain and gather it to your threshing floor?

13Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?

13Did you give the peacock its beautiful wings, or the ostrich its wings and feathers?

14Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, and warmeth them in dust,

14She leaves her eggs on the ground and lets them warm in the dust,

15And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, or that the wild beast may break them.

15forgetting that a foot might crush them, or a wild animal trample them.

16She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not hers: her labour is in vain without fear;

16She is harsh with her young, as if they were not hers; she does not care that her labor may be wasted,

17Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, neither hath he imparted to her understanding.

17because God did not give her a share of wisdom, and he gave her no understanding.

18What time she lifteth up herself on high, she scorneth the horse and his rider.

18But when she gets up and runs at full stretch, she laughs at the horse and its rider.

19Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?

19Did you give the horse his strength? Did you clothe his neck with a flowing mane like thunder?

20Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.

20Did you make him leap like a locust? The proud snorting of his nostrils is terrifying.

21He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.

21He paws the ground in the valley and rejoices in his strength; he charges out to meet the armed men.

22He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword.

22He laughs at fear and is not frightened; he does not turn back from the sword.

23The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield.

23The quiver rattles against his side, along with the flashing spear and the javelin.

24He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.

24Fierce and furious, he eats up the ground; he cannot hold still when the trumpet sounds.

25He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.

25At every trumpet blast he snorts, 'Aha!' He smells the battle from far away, the thunder of the captains and the war cry.

26Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south?

26Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars and spreads her wings toward the south?

27Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?

27Does the eagle fly up at your command and build her nest up high?

28She dwelleth and abideth on the rock, upon the crag of the rock, and the strong place.

28She lives and makes her home on the rock, on the point of the cliff, her stronghold.

29From thence she seeketh the prey, and her eyes behold afar off.

29From there she looks out for her prey; her eyes see it from far away.

30Her young ones also suck up blood: and where the slain are, there is she.

30Her young ones drink up blood, and wherever the dead lie, there she is."

40Job Is Silent; God Describes Behemoth

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,

1Then the LORD went on speaking to Job and said,

2Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

2"Will the one who argues with the Almighty correct him? Let the man who finds fault with God give his answer."

3Then Job answered the LORD, and said,

3Then Job answered the LORD and said,

4Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

4"Look, I am so small; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth.

5Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.

5I have spoken once, but I will not answer again; twice, but I will go no further."

6Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

6Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,

7Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

7"Brace yourself now like a man; I am going to question you, and you will tell me the answers.

8Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?

8Would you really cancel my justice? Would you condemn me so that you can be in the right?

9Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

9Do you have an arm like God's? Can you thunder with a voice like his?

10Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.

10Go ahead, then: dress yourself in majesty and greatness; clothe yourself in glory and splendor.

11Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.

11Let your furious anger pour out; look at everyone who is proud and bring him down.

12Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.

12Look at everyone who is proud and humble him; trample the wicked where they stand.

13Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.

13Bury them all together in the dust; shut their faces away in the hidden place.

14Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.

14Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you.

15Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.

15Now look at behemoth, which I made along with you; he eats grass like an ox.

16Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.

16See what strength is in his hips, what power is in the muscles of his belly.

17He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.

17He swings his tail like a cedar tree; the sinews of his thighs are tightly woven.

18His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.

18His bones are like tubes of bronze; his limbs are like bars of iron.

19He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.

19He is the first among the works of God; only his Maker can bring a sword against him.

20Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.

20Surely the mountains produce food for him, where all the wild animals play.

21He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.

21He lies down under the shady trees, hidden among the reeds in the marsh.

22The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.

22The shady trees cover him with their shade; the willows of the stream surround him.

23Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.

23Look, a river may rage, but he is not alarmed; he is calm even if the Jordan surges up to his mouth.

24He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.

24Can anyone catch him while he is watching, or pierce his nose with a snare?

41God Describes Leviathan

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?

1"Can you pull leviathan out of the water with a fishhook, or tie down his tongue with a rope?

2Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?

2Can you put a cord through his nose, or pierce his jaw with a hook?

3Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?

3Will he keep begging you for mercy? Will he speak to you with gentle words?

4Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?

4Will he make an agreement with you, so that you can take him as your servant for life?

5Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?

5Will you play with him as with a pet bird, or put him on a leash for your girls?

6Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?

6Will the fishing partners bargain over him? Will they divide him up among the merchants?

7Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?

7Can you fill his hide with barbed spears, or his head with fishing harpoons?

8Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.

8Lay your hand on him just once; you will remember the fight and never do it again.

9Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?

9Look, any hope of catching him is false; a person is knocked flat at the very sight of him.

10None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?

10No one is fierce enough to dare to stir him up. Who, then, is able to stand before me?

11Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.

11Who has ever given me something first, so that I owe him repayment? Everything under the whole heaven is mine.

12I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion.

12I will not stay silent about his limbs, or his mighty strength, or his graceful build.

13Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle?

13Who can strip off his outer coat? Who can get near him with a double bridle?

14Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.

14Who can pry open the doors of his mouth? His teeth are terrifying all the way around.

15His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.

15His rows of scales are his pride, shut tight together as if with a seal.

16One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.

16Each one is so close to the next that no air can get between them.

17They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.

17They are joined one to another; they cling together and cannot be pulled apart.

18By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.

18His sneezes flash with light, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the dawn.

19Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.

19Out of his mouth come flaming torches, and sparks of fire shoot out.

20Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.

20Smoke pours from his nostrils, as from a boiling pot over burning reeds.

21His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.

21His breath sets coals on fire, and a flame comes out of his mouth.

22In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.

22Strength lives in his neck, and terror dances ahead of him.

23The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.

23The folds of his flesh are joined tight; they are set firm on him and cannot be moved.

24His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.

24His heart is as hard as a rock, as hard as the bottom stone of a mill.

25When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.

25When he rises up, the mighty are afraid; at his thrashing they fall back in panic.

26The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.

26A sword that reaches him does no good, nor does a spear, a dart, or a javelin.

27He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.

27He treats iron like straw, and bronze like rotten wood.

28The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble.

28An arrow cannot make him run away; slingstones turn to chaff against him.

29Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.

29Clubs count as no more than stubble; he laughs at the whistle of a spear.

30Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.

30His underside is like sharp pieces of broken pottery; he drags himself over the mud like a threshing sledge.

31He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.

31He makes the deep water boil like a pot; he churns the sea like a jar of ointment.

32He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.

32He leaves a shining wake behind him; you would think the deep had turned white with age.

33Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.

33There is nothing on earth like him, a creature made without fear.

34He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.

34He looks down on everything that is high; he is king over all the proud."

42Job Answers and His Fortunes Restored

📜 The old Bible words

💬 In today’s words

1Then Job answered the LORD, and said,

1Then Job answered the LORD and said,

2I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

2"I know that you can do anything, and that no plan of yours can be held back.

3Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

3You asked, 'Who is this who clouds my counsel without knowledge?' So I have spoken about things I did not understand, things far too wonderful for me, things I did not know.

4Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

4Hear me, please, and I will speak. Let me ask you questions, and you show me the answers.

5I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

5I had only heard about you with my ears, but now my own eyes have seen you.

6Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

6So I am ashamed of what I said, and I turn back to you in dust and ashes."

7And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.

7After the LORD had said these things to Job, the LORD spoke to Eliphaz the Temanite: "My anger burns against you and your two friends, because you have not said what is true about me, as my servant Job has.

8Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.

8So now take seven bulls and seven rams, go to my servant Job, and offer a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer, so that I do not treat you as your foolishness deserves; for you have not said what is true about me, as my servant Job has."

9So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.

9So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the LORD had commanded them, and the LORD accepted Job.

10And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

10And the LORD gave Job back what he had lost when he prayed for his friends; in fact, the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

11Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.

11Then all his brothers and sisters, and everyone who had known him before, came and ate a meal with him in his house. They grieved with him and comforted him over all the trouble the LORD had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of money and a gold earring.

12So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.

12So the LORD blessed the last part of Job's life even more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand pairs of oxen, and a thousand female donkeys.

13He had also seven sons and three daughters.

13He also had seven sons and three daughters.

14And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch.

14He named the first daughter Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Keren-happuch.

15And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren.

15In all the land there were no women as beautiful as Job's daughters, and their father gave them an inheritance alongside their brothers.

16After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four generations.

16After this Job lived a hundred and forty years, and he saw his children and his grandchildren, down to four generations.

17So Job died, being old and full of days.

17Then Job died, an old man who had lived a long, full life.