May 30 - Job 11-13
Job
1Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said:2"Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and a man full of talk be judged right?3Should your babble silence men, and when you mock, shall no one shame you?4For you say, 'My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in God's eyes.'5But oh, that God would speak and open his lips to you,6and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves.7"Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?8It is higher than heaven--what can you do? Deeper than Sheol--what can you know?9Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea.10If he passes through and imprisons and summons the court, who can turn him back?11For he knows worthless men; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it?12But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey's colt is born a man!13"If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward him.14If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents.15Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear.16You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away.17And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning.18And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security.19You will lie down, and none will make you afraid; many will court your favor.20But the eyes of the wicked will fail; all way of escape will be lost to them, and their hope is to breathe their last."
1Then Job answered and said:2"No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you.3But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?4I am a laughingstock to my friends; I, who called to God and he answered me, a just and blameless man, am a laughingstock.5In the thought of one who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune; it is ready for those whose feet slip.6The tents of robbers are at peace, and those who provoke God are secure, who bring their god in their hand.7"But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you;8or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you.9Who among all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?10In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.11Does not the ear test words as the palate tastes food?12Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.13"With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding.14If he tears down, none can rebuild; if he shuts a man in, none can open.15If he withholds the waters, they dry up; if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land.16With him are strength and sound wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are his.17He leads counselors away stripped, and judges he makes fools.18He looses the bonds of kings and binds a waistcloth on their hips.19He leads priests away stripped and overthrows the mighty.20He deprives of speech those who are trusted and takes away the discernment of the elders.21He pours contempt on princes and loosens the belt of the strong.22He uncovers the deeps out of darkness and brings deep darkness to light.23He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away.24He takes away understanding from the chiefs of the people of the earth and makes them wander in a pathless waste.25They grope in the dark without light, and he makes them stagger like a drunken man.
1"Behold, my eye has seen all this, my ear has heard and understood it.2What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.3But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God.4As for you, you whitewash with lies; worthless physicians are you all.5Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom!6Hear now my argument and listen to the pleadings of my lips.7Will you speak falsely for God and speak deceitfully for him?8Will you show partiality toward him? Will you plead the case for God?9Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one deceives a man?10He will surely rebuke you if in secret you show partiality.11Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you?12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.13"Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may.14Why should I take my flesh in my teeth and put my life in my hand?15Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.16This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him.17Keep listening to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears.18Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be in the right.19Who is there who will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die.20Only grant me two things, then I will not hide myself from your face:21withdraw your hand far from me, and let not dread of you terrify me.22Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me.23How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin.24Why do you hide your face and count me as your enemy?25Will you frighten a driven leaf and pursue dry chaff?26For you write bitter things against me and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.27You put my feet in the stocks and watch all my paths; you set a limit for the soles of my feet.28Man wastes away like a rotten thing, like a garment that is moth-eaten.