May 30 - Job 11-13
Job
1Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:2"Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated?3Will your idle talk reduce men to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock?4You say to God, 'My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.'5Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you6and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.7"Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?8They are higher than the heavens-what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave -what can you know?9Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea.10"If he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court, who can oppose him?11Surely he recognizes deceitful men; and when he sees evil, does he not take note?12But a witless man can no more become wise than a wild donkey's colt can be born a man.13"Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him,14if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,15then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear.16You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.17Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning.18You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.19You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.20But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; their hope will become a dying gasp."
1Then Job replied:2"Doubtless you are the people, and wisdom will die with you!3But I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know all these things?4"I have become a laughingstock to my friends, though I called upon God and he answered- a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!5Men at ease have contempt for misfortune as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.6The tents of marauders are undisturbed, and those who provoke God are secure- those who carry their god in their hands.7"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you;8or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you.9Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?10In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.11Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?12Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?13"To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.14What he tears down cannot be rebuilt; the man he imprisons cannot be released.15If he holds back the waters, there is drought; if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.16To him belong strength and victory; both deceived and deceiver are his.17He leads counselors away stripped and makes fools of judges.18He takes off the shackles put on by kings and ties a loincloth around their waist.19He leads priests away stripped and overthrows men long established.20He silences the lips of trusted advisers and takes away the discernment of elders.21He pours contempt on nobles and disarms the mighty.22He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings deep shadows into the light.23He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them.24He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason; he sends them wandering through a trackless waste.25They grope in darkness with no light; he makes them stagger like drunkards.
1"My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it.2What you know, I also know; I am not inferior to you.3But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God.4You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you!5If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.6Hear now my argument; listen to the plea of my lips.7Will you speak wickedly on God's behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him?8Will you show him partiality? Will you argue the case for God?9Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive men?10He would surely rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality.11Would not his splendor terrify you? Would not the dread of him fall on you?12Your maxims are proverbs of ashes; your defenses are defenses of clay.13"Keep silent and let me speak; then let come to me what may.14Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands?15Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.16Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless man would dare come before him!17Listen carefully to my words; let your ears take in what I say.18Now that I have prepared my case, I know I will be vindicated.19Can anyone bring charges against me? If so, I will be silent and die.20"Only grant me these two things, O God, and then I will not hide from you:21Withdraw your hand far from me, and stop frightening me with your terrors.22Then summon me and I will answer, or let me speak, and you reply.23How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my offense and my sin.24Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy?25Will you torment a windblown leaf? Will you chase after dry chaff?26For you write down bitter things against me and make me inherit the sins of my youth.27You fasten my feet in shackles; you keep close watch on all my paths by putting marks on the soles of my feet.28"So man wastes away like something rotten, like a garment eaten by moths.