Page images
PDF
EPUB

turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.

From the same.

Let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity. Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps? If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit. If mine heart hath been deceived by a woman, or if I have laid wait at my neighbour's door. For this is an heinous crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges. For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase. If my step hath turned out of the way; and mine heart walked after mine and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands; then let me sow, and let another eat, yea, let my offspring be rooted out. If I did despise the cause of my man-servant or of my maid-servant, when they contended with me; what then shall I do when God riseth up? and when he visiteth, what shall I answer him? Did not he that made me in the womb make him? and did not one

eyes,

fashion us in the womb? If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; (for from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb ;) if I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; if his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate; then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone. For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of his highness I could not endure. If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; if I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much; if I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; and my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand; this also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above. If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him: neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wish

ing a curse to his soul. The stranger did not lodge in the street; but I opened my doors to the traveller. Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the poor? Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door? If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom: if my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain; if I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have caused the owners thereof to lose their life: let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.

From the same.

I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou Preserver of men? I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can he withholden from thee. How many are mine iniquities and sins? make me to know my transgression and my sin. Teach me, and I will hold my tongue and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. I have borne chastisement, I will

not offend any more.

That which I see not

teach thou me: if I have done iniquity, I will

do no more.

From the same.

I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause. O that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me. Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him on the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: but he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.

From the same.

Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? 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. Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him. He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him. As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment: and the Almighty who hath vexed my soul; all the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; my lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. Till I die I will not remove my integrity from me. My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

« PreviousContinue »