1-13
Doth Job fear the Almighty for nought 1.9
All that a man hath will he give for his life 2.4
I was not at ease neither was I quiet neither had I rest 3.26
Shall mortal man be just before the Almighty 4.17
He maketh sore and bindeth up 5.18
Cannot my taste discern crafty devices 6.30
I shall not live alway 7.16
Doth the Almighty pervert judgment 8.3
If it be not He, who then is it 9.24
Seest Thou as man seeth 10.4
Canst thou attain unto the purpose of the Almighty 11.7
The hand of the the Eternal hath wrought this 12.9
Let me alone that I may speak 13.13
Chapter 1
א אִישׁ הָיָה בְאֶרֶץ-עוּץ, אִיּוֹב שְׁמוֹ; וְהָיָה הָאִישׁ הַהוּא, תָּם וְיָשָׁר וִירֵא אֱלֹהִים--וְסָר מֵרָע. 1
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job;
and that man was whole-hearted and upright, and one that feared the Almighty, and shunned evil.
ב וַיִּוָּלְדוּ לוֹ שִׁבְעָה בָנִים, וְשָׁלוֹשׁ בָּנוֹת. 2
And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
ג וַיְהִי מִקְנֵהוּ שִׁבְעַת אַלְפֵי-צֹאן וּשְׁלֹשֶׁת אַלְפֵי גְמַלִּים, וַחֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת צֶמֶד-בָּקָר וַחֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת אֲתוֹנוֹת, וַעֲבֻדָּה, רַבָּה מְאֹד; וַיְהִי הָאִישׁ הַהוּא, גָּדוֹל מִכָּל-בְּנֵי-קֶדֶם. 3
His possessions also were 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 sons of the east.
ד וְהָלְכוּ בָנָיו וְעָשׂוּ מִשְׁתֶּה, בֵּית אִישׁ יוֹמוֹ; וְשָׁלְחוּ, וְקָרְאוּ לִשְׁלֹשֶׁת אַחְיֹתֵיהֶם, לֶאֱכֹל וְלִשְׁתּוֹת, עִמָּהֶם. 4
And his sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one upon his day;
and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
ה וַיְהִי כִּי הִקִּיפוּ יְמֵי הַמִּשְׁתֶּה וַיִּשְׁלַח אִיּוֹב וַיְקַדְּשֵׁם, וְהִשְׁכִּים בַּבֹּקֶר וְהֶעֱלָה עֹלוֹת מִסְפַּר כֻּלָּם--כִּי אָמַר אִיּוֹב, אוּלַי חָטְאוּ בָנַי וּבֵרְכוּ אֱלֹהִים בִּלְבָבָם: כָּכָה יַעֲשֶׂה אִיּוֹב, כָּל-הַיָּמִים. {פ} 5
And 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 blasphemed the Almighty in their hearts.'
Thus did Job continually. {P}
ו וַיְהִי הַיּוֹם--וַיָּבֹאוּ בְּנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים, לְהִתְיַצֵּב עַל-יְהוָה; וַיָּבוֹא גַם-הַשָּׂטָן, בְּתוֹכָם. 6
Now it fell upon a day, that the sons of the Almighty came to present themselves before the the Eternal, and Satan came also among them.
ז וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל-הַשָּׂטָן, מֵאַיִן תָּבֹא; וַיַּעַן הַשָּׂטָן אֶת-יְהוָה, וַיֹּאמַר, מִשּׁוּט בָּאָרֶץ, וּמֵהִתְהַלֵּךְ בָּהּ. 7
And the the Eternal said unto Satan:
'Whence comest thou?'
Then Satan answered the the Eternal, and said:
'From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.'
ח וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל-הַשָּׂטָן, הֲשַׂמְתָּ לִבְּךָ עַל-עַבְדִּי אִיּוֹב: כִּי אֵין כָּמֹהוּ בָּאָרֶץ, אִישׁ תָּם וְיָשָׁר יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים וְסָר מֵרָע. 8
And the the Eternal said unto Satan:
'Hast thou considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a whole-hearted and an upright man, one that feareth the Almighty, and shunneth evil?'
ט וַיַּעַן הַשָּׂטָן אֶת-יְהוָה, וַיֹּאמַר: הַחִנָּם, יָרֵא אִיּוֹב אֱלֹהִים. 9
Then Satan answered the the Eternal, and said:
'Doth Job fear the Almighty for nought?
י הֲלֹא-את (אַתָּה) שַׂכְתָּ בַעֲדוֹ וּבְעַד-בֵּיתוֹ, וּבְעַד כָּל-אֲשֶׁר-לוֹ--מִסָּבִיב: מַעֲשֵׂה יָדָיו בֵּרַכְתָּ, וּמִקְנֵהוּ פָּרַץ בָּאָרֶץ. 10
Hast not Thou made a 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 possessions are increased in the land.
יא וְאוּלָם שְׁלַח-נָא יָדְךָ, וְגַע בְּכָל-אֲשֶׁר-לוֹ--אִם-לֹא עַל-פָּנֶיךָ, יְבָרְכֶךָּ. 11
But put forth Thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, surely he will blaspheme Thee to Thy face.'
יב וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל-הַשָּׂטָן, הִנֵּה כָל-אֲשֶׁר-לוֹ בְּיָדֶךָ--רַק אֵלָיו, אַל-תִּשְׁלַח יָדֶךָ; וַיֵּצֵא, הַשָּׂטָן, מֵעִם, פְּנֵי יְהוָה. 12
And the the Eternal said unto Satan:
'Behold, all that he hath is in thy power;
only upon himself put not forth thy hand.'
So Satan went forth from the presence of the the Eternal.
יג וַיְהִי, הַיּוֹם; וּבָנָיו וּבְנֹתָיו אֹכְלִים וְשֹׁתִים יַיִן, בְּבֵית אֲחִיהֶם הַבְּכוֹר. 13
And it fell on a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house,
יד וּמַלְאָךְ בָּא אֶל-אִיּוֹב, וַיֹּאמַר: הַבָּקָר הָיוּ חֹרְשׁוֹת, וְהָאֲתֹנוֹת רֹעוֹת עַל-יְדֵיהֶם. 14
that there came a messenger unto Job, and said:
'The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them;
טו וַתִּפֹּל שְׁבָא וַתִּקָּחֵם, וְאֶת-הַנְּעָרִים הִכּוּ לְפִי-חָרֶב; וָאִמָּלְטָה רַק-אֲנִי לְבַדִּי, לְהַגִּיד לָךְ. 15
and the Sabeans made a raid, 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.'
טז עוֹד זֶה מְדַבֵּר, וְזֶה בָּא וַיֹּאמַר, אֵשׁ אֱלֹהִים נָפְלָה מִן-הַשָּׁמַיִם, וַתִּבְעַר בַּצֹּאן וּבַנְּעָרִים וַתֹּאכְלֵם; וָאִמָּלְטָה רַק-אֲנִי לְבַדִּי, לְהַגִּיד לָךְ. 16
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said:
'A fire of the Almighty 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.'
יז עוֹד זֶה מְדַבֵּר, וְזֶה בָּא וַיֹּאמַר, כַּשְׂדִּים שָׂמוּ שְׁלֹשָׁה רָאשִׁים וַיִּפְשְׁטוּ עַל-הַגְּמַלִּים וַיִּקָּחוּם, וְאֶת-הַנְּעָרִים הִכּוּ לְפִי-חָרֶב; וָאִמָּלְטָה רַק-אֲנִי לְבַדִּי, לְהַגִּיד לָךְ. 17
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said:
'The Chaldeans set themselves in three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have taken them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword;
and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.'
יח עַד זֶה מְדַבֵּר, וְזֶה בָּא וַיֹּאמַר: בָּנֶיךָ וּבְנוֹתֶיךָ אֹכְלִים וְשֹׁתִים יַיִן, בְּבֵית אֲחִיהֶם הַבְּכוֹר. 18
While 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;
יט וְהִנֵּה רוּחַ גְּדוֹלָה בָּאָה מֵעֵבֶר הַמִּדְבָּר, וַיִּגַּע בְּאַרְבַּע פִּנּוֹת הַבַּיִת, וַיִּפֹּל עַל-הַנְּעָרִים, וַיָּמוּתוּ; וָאִמָּלְטָה רַק-אֲנִי לְבַדִּי, לְהַגִּיד לָךְ. 19
And, behold, there came a great wind from across the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.'
כ וַיָּקָם אִיּוֹב וַיִּקְרַע אֶת-מְעִלוֹ, וַיָּגָז אֶת-רֹאשׁוֹ; וַיִּפֹּל אַרְצָה, וַיִּשְׁתָּחוּ. 20
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped;
כא וַיֹּאמֶר עָרֹם יָצָתִי מִבֶּטֶן אִמִּי, וְעָרֹם אָשׁוּב שָׁמָּה--יְהוָה נָתַן, וַיהוָה לָקָח; יְהִי שֵׁם יְהוָה, מְבֹרָךְ. 21
And he said;
naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither;
the Eternal gave, and the Eternal hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Eternal.
כב בְּכָל-זֹאת, לֹא-חָטָא אִיּוֹב; וְלֹא-נָתַן תִּפְלָה, לֵאלֹהִים. {פ} 22
For all this Job sinned not, nor ascribed aught unseemly to the Almighty. {P}
Chapter 2
א וַיְהִי הַיּוֹם--וַיָּבֹאוּ בְּנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים, לְהִתְיַצֵּב עַל-יְהוָה; וַיָּבוֹא גַם-הַשָּׂטָן בְּתֹכָם, לְהִתְיַצֵּב עַל-יְהוָה. 1
Again it fell upon a day, that the sons of the Almighty came to present themselves before the the Eternal, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the the Eternal.
ב וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל-הַשָּׂטָן, אֵי מִזֶּה תָּבֹא; וַיַּעַן הַשָּׂטָן אֶת-יְהוָה, וַיֹּאמַר, מִשֻּׁט בָּאָרֶץ, וּמֵהִתְהַלֵּךְ בָּהּ. 2
And the the Eternal said unto Satan:
'From whence comest thou?'
And Satan answered the the Eternal, and said:
'From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.'
ג וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל-הַשָּׂטָן, הֲשַׂמְתָּ לִבְּךָ אֶל-עַבְדִּי אִיּוֹב--כִּי אֵין כָּמֹהוּ בָּאָרֶץ אִישׁ תָּם וְיָשָׁר יְרֵא אֱלֹהִים, וְסָר מֵרָע; וְעֹדֶנּוּ מַחֲזִיק בְּתֻמָּתוֹ, וַתְּסִיתֵנִי בוֹ לְבַלְּעוֹ חִנָּם. 3
And the the Eternal said unto Satan:
'Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a whole-hearted and an upright man, one that feareth the Almighty, and shunneth evil?
and he still holdeth fast his integrity, although thou didst move Me against him, to destroy him without cause.'
ד וַיַּעַן הַשָּׂטָן אֶת-יְהוָה, וַיֹּאמַר: עוֹר בְּעַד-עוֹר, וְכֹל אֲשֶׁר לָאִישׁ--יִתֵּן, בְּעַד נַפְשׁוֹ. 4
And Satan answered the the Eternal, and said:
'Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
ה אוּלָם שְׁלַח-נָא יָדְךָ, וְגַע אֶל-עַצְמוֹ וְאֶל-בְּשָׂרוֹ--אִם-לֹא אֶל-פָּנֶיךָ, יְבָרְכֶךָּ. 5
However put forth Thy hand then, and touch his bone and his flesh, surely he will blaspheme Thee to Thy face.'
ו וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל-הַשָּׂטָן, הִנּוֹ בְיָדֶךָ: אַךְ, אֶת-נַפְשׁוֹ שְׁמֹר. 6
And the the Eternal said unto Satan:
'Behold, he is in thy hand;
only spare his life.'
ז וַיֵּצֵא, הַשָּׂטָן, מֵאֵת, פְּנֵי יְהוָה; וַיַּךְ אֶת-אִיּוֹב בִּשְׁחִין רָע, מִכַּף רַגְלוֹ עד (וְעַד) קָדְקֳדוֹ. 7
So Satan went forth from the presence of the the Eternal, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot even unto his crown.
ח וַיִּקַּח-לוֹ חֶרֶשׂ, לְהִתְגָּרֵד בּוֹ; וְהוּא, יֹשֵׁב בְּתוֹךְ-הָאֵפֶר. 8
And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself therewith;
and he sat among the ashes.
ט וַתֹּאמֶר לוֹ אִשְׁתּוֹ, עֹדְךָ מַחֲזִיק בְּתֻמָּתֶךָ; בָּרֵךְ אֱלֹהִים, וָמֻת. 9
Then said his wife unto him:
'Dost thou still hold fast thine integrity?
blaspheme the Almighty, and die.'
י וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלֶיהָ, כְּדַבֵּר אַחַת הַנְּבָלוֹת תְּדַבֵּרִי--גַּם אֶת-הַטּוֹב נְקַבֵּל מֵאֵת הָאֱלֹהִים, וְאֶת-הָרָע לֹא נְקַבֵּל; בְּכָל-זֹאת לֹא-חָטָא אִיּוֹב, בִּשְׂפָתָיו. {פ} 10
But he said unto her:
'Thou speakest as one of the impious women speaketh.
What?
shall we receive good at the hand of the Almighty, and shall we not receive evil?'
For all this did not Job sin with his lips. {P}
יא וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ שְׁלֹשֶׁת רֵעֵי אִיּוֹב, אֵת כָּל-הָרָעָה הַזֹּאת הַבָּאָה עָלָיו, וַיָּבֹאוּ אִישׁ מִמְּקֹמוֹ, אֱלִיפַז הַתֵּימָנִי וּבִלְדַּד הַשּׁוּחִי וְצוֹפַר הַנַּעֲמָתִי; וַיִּוָּעֲדוּ יַחְדָּו, לָבוֹא לָנוּד-לוֹ וּלְנַחֲמוֹ. 11
Now 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;
and they made an appointment together to come to bemoan him and to comfort him.
יב וַיִּשְׂאוּ אֶת-עֵינֵיהֶם מֵרָחוֹק וְלֹא הִכִּירֻהוּ, וַיִּשְׂאוּ קוֹלָם וַיִּבְכּוּ; וַיִּקְרְעוּ אִישׁ מְעִלוֹ, וַיִּזְרְקוּ עָפָר עַל-רָאשֵׁיהֶם הַשָּׁמָיְמָה. 12
And 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 threw dust upon their heads toward heaven.
יג וַיֵּשְׁבוּ אִתּוֹ לָאָרֶץ, שִׁבְעַת יָמִים וְשִׁבְעַת לֵילוֹת; וְאֵין-דֹּבֵר אֵלָיו, דָּבָר--כִּי רָאוּ, כִּי-גָדַל הַכְּאֵב מְאֹד. 13
So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spoke a word unto him;
for they saw that his grief was very great.
Chapter 3
א אַחֲרֵי-כֵן, פָּתַח אִיּוֹב אֶת-פִּיהוּ, וַיְקַלֵּל, אֶת-יוֹמוֹ. {פ} 1
After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day. {P}
ב וַיַּעַן אִיּוֹב, וַיֹּאמַר. 2 {S}
And Job spoke, and said:
ג יֹאבַד יוֹם, אִוָּלֶד בּוֹ; וְהַלַּיְלָה אָמַר, הֹרָה גָבֶר. 3
Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night wherein it was said:
'A man-child is brought forth.'
ד הַיּוֹם הַהוּא, יְהִי-חֹשֶׁךְ:
אַל-יִדְרְשֵׁהוּ אֱלוֹהַּ מִמַּעַל; וְאַל-תּוֹפַע עָלָיו נְהָרָה. 4
Let that day be darkness; {N}
let not the Almighty inquire after it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.
ה יִגְאָלֻהוּ, חֹשֶׁךְ וְצַלְמָוֶת--תִּשְׁכָּן-עָלָיו עֲנָנָה; יְבַעֲתֻהוּ, כִּמְרִירֵי יוֹם. 5
Let darkness and the shadow of death claim it for their own;
let a cloud dwell upon it;
let all that maketh black the day terrify it.
ו הַלַּיְלָה הַהוּא, יִקָּחֵהוּ-אֹפֶל:
אַל-יִחַדְּ, בִּימֵי שָׁנָה; בְּמִסְפַּר יְרָחִים, אַל-יָבֹא. 6
As for that night, let thick darkness seize upon it; {N}
let it not rejoice among the days of the year;
let it not come into the number of the months.
ז הִנֵּה הַלַּיְלָה הַהוּא, יְהִי גַלְמוּד; אַל-תָּבוֹא רְנָנָה בוֹ. 7
Lo, let that night be desolate;
let no joyful voice come therein.
ח יִקְּבֻהוּ אֹרְרֵי-יוֹם; הָעֲתִידִים, עֹרֵר לִוְיָתָן. 8
Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to rouse up leviathan.
ט יֶחְשְׁכוּ, כּוֹכְבֵי נִשְׁפּוֹ: יְקַו-לְאוֹר וָאַיִן; וְאַל-יִרְאֶה, בְּעַפְעַפֵּי-שָׁחַר. 9
Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark;
let it look for light, but have none;
neither let it behold the eyelids of the morning;
י כִּי לֹא סָגַר, דַּלְתֵי בִטְנִי; וַיַּסְתֵּר עָמָל, מֵעֵינָי. 10
Because it shut not up the doors of my [mother's] womb, nor hid trouble from mine eyes.
יא לָמָּה לֹּא מֵרֶחֶם אָמוּת; מִבֶּטֶן יָצָאתִי וְאֶגְוָע. 11
Why died I not from the womb?
Why did I not perish at birth?
יב מַדּוּעַ, קִדְּמוּנִי בִרְכָּיִם; וּמַה-שָּׁדַיִם, כִּי אִינָק. 12
Why did the knees receive me?
And wherefore the breasts, that I should suck?
יג כִּי-עַתָּה, שָׁכַבְתִּי וְאֶשְׁקוֹט; יָשַׁנְתִּי, אָז יָנוּחַ לִי. 13
For now should I have lain still and been quiet;
I should have slept;
then had I been at rest--
יד עִם-מְלָכִים, וְיֹעֲצֵי אָרֶץ; הַבֹּנִים חֳרָבוֹת לָמוֹ. 14
With kings and counsellors of the earth, who built up waste places for themselves;
טו אוֹ עִם-שָׂרִים, זָהָב לָהֶם; הַמְמַלְאִים בָּתֵּיהֶם כָּסֶף. 15
Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver;
טז אוֹ כְנֵפֶל טָמוּן, לֹא אֶהְיֶה; כְּעֹלְלִים, לֹא-רָאוּ אוֹר. 16
Or as a hidden untimely birth I had not been;
as infants that never saw light.
יז שָׁם רְשָׁעִים, חָדְלוּ רֹגֶז; וְשָׁם יָנוּחוּ, יְגִיעֵי כֹחַ. 17
There the wicked cease from troubling;
and there the weary are at rest.
יח יַחַד, אֲסִירִים שַׁאֲנָנוּ; לֹא שָׁמְעוּ, קוֹל נֹגֵשׂ. 18
There the prisoners are at ease together;
they hear not the voice of the taskmaster.
יט קָטֹן וְגָדוֹל, שָׁם הוּא; וְעֶבֶד, חָפְשִׁי מֵאֲדֹנָיו. 19
The small and great are there alike;
and the servant is free from his master.
כ לָמָּה יִתֵּן לְעָמֵל אוֹר; וְחַיִּים, לְמָרֵי נָפֶשׁ. 20
Wherewith is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul--
כא הַמְחַכִּים לַמָּוֶת וְאֵינֶנּוּ; וַיַּחְפְּרֻהוּ, מִמַּטְמוֹנִים. 21
Who long for death, but it cometh not;
and dig for it more than for hid treasures;
כב הַשְּׂמֵחִים אֱלֵי-גִיל-- יָשִׂישׂוּ, כִּי יִמְצְאוּ-קָבֶר. 22
Who rejoice unto exultation, and are glad, when they can find the grave?--
כג לְגֶבֶר, אֲשֶׁר-דַּרְכּוֹ נִסְתָּרָה; וַיָּסֶךְ אֱלוֹהַּ בַּעֲדוֹ. 23
To a man whose way is hid, and whom the Almighty hath hedged in?
כד כִּי-לִפְנֵי לַחְמִי, אַנְחָתִי תָבֹא; וַיִּתְּכוּ כַמַּיִם, שַׁאֲגֹתָי. 24
For my sighing cometh instead of my food, and my roarings are poured out like water.
כה כִּי פַחַד פָּחַדְתִּי, וַיֶּאֱתָיֵנִי; וַאֲשֶׁר יָגֹרְתִּי, יָבֹא לִי. 25
For the thing which I did fear is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of hath overtaken me.
כו לֹא שָׁלַוְתִּי, וְלֹא שָׁקַטְתִּי וְלֹא-נָחְתִּי; וַיָּבֹא רֹגֶז. 26
I was not at ease, neither was I quiet, neither had I rest;
and trouble came.
Chapter 4
א וַיַּעַן, אֱלִיפַז הַתֵּימָנִי; וַיֹּאמַר. 1 {S}
Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said:
ב הֲנִסָּה דָבָר אֵלֶיךָ תִּלְאֶה; וַעְצֹר בְּמִלִּין, מִי יוּכָל. 2
If one venture a word unto thee, wilt thou be weary?
But who can withhold himself from speaking?
ג הִנֵּה, יִסַּרְתָּ רַבִּים; וְיָדַיִם רָפוֹת תְּחַזֵּק. 3
Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
ד כּוֹשֵׁל, יְקִימוּן מִלֶּיךָ; וּבִרְכַּיִם כֹּרְעוֹת תְּאַמֵּץ. 4
Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
ה כִּי עַתָּה, תָּבוֹא אֵלֶיךָ וַתֵּלֶא; תִּגַּע עָדֶיךָ, וַתִּבָּהֵל. 5
But now it is come upon thee, and thou art weary;
it toucheth thee, and thou art affrighted.
ו הֲלֹא יִרְאָתְךָ, כִּסְלָתֶךָ; תִּקְוָתְךָ, וְתֹם דְּרָכֶיךָ. 6
Is not thy fear of the Almighty thy confidence, and thy hope the integrity of thy ways?
ז זְכָר-נָא--מִי הוּא נָקִי אָבָד; וְאֵיפֹה, יְשָׁרִים נִכְחָדוּ. 7
Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent?
Or where were the upright cut off?
ח כַּאֲשֶׁר רָאִיתִי, חֹרְשֵׁי אָוֶן; וְזֹרְעֵי עָמָל יִקְצְרֻהוּ. 8
According as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow mischief, reap the same.
ט מִנִּשְׁמַת אֱלוֹהַּ יֹאבֵדוּ; וּמֵרוּחַ אַפּוֹ יִכְלוּ. 9
By the breath of the Almighty they perish, and by the blast of His anger are they consumed.
י שַׁאֲגַת אַרְיֵה, וְקוֹל שָׁחַל; וְשִׁנֵּי כְפִירִים נִתָּעוּ. 10
The lion roareth, and the fierce lion howleth--
yet the teeth of the young lions are broken.
יא לַיִשׁ, אֹבֵד מִבְּלִי-טָרֶף; וּבְנֵי לָבִיא, יִתְפָּרָדוּ. 11
The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the whelps of the lioness are scattered abroad.
יב וְאֵלַי, דָּבָר יְגֻנָּב; וַתִּקַּח אָזְנִי, שֵׁמֶץ מֶנְהוּ. 12
Now a word was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a whisper thereof.
יג בִּשְׂעִפִּים, מֵחֶזְיֹנוֹת לָיְלָה; בִּנְפֹל תַּרְדֵּמָה, עַל-אֲנָשִׁים. 13
In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,
יד פַּחַד קְרָאַנִי, וּרְעָדָה; וְרֹב עַצְמוֹתַי הִפְחִיד. 14
Fear came upon me, and trembling, and all my bones were made to shake.
טו וְרוּחַ, עַל-פָּנַי יַחֲלֹף; תְּסַמֵּר, שַׂעֲרַת בְּשָׂרִי. 15
Then a spirit passed before my face, that made the hair of my flesh to stand up.
טז יַעֲמֹד, וְלֹא-אַכִּיר מַרְאֵהוּ-- תְּמוּנָה, לְנֶגֶד עֵינָי;
דְּמָמָה וָקוֹל אֶשְׁמָע. 16
It stood still, but I could not discern the appearance thereof;
a form was before mine eyes; {N}
I heard a still voice:
יז הַאֱנוֹשׁ, מֵאֱלוֹהַּ יִצְדָּק; אִם מֵעֹשֵׂהוּ, יִטְהַר-גָּבֶר. 17
'Shall mortal man be just before the Almighty?
Shall a man be pure before his Maker?
יח הֵן בַּעֲבָדָיו, לֹא יַאֲמִין; וּבְמַלְאָכָיו, יָשִׂים תָּהֳלָה. 18
Behold, He putteth no trust in His servants, and His angels He chargeth with folly;
יט אַף, שֹׁכְנֵי בָתֵּי-חֹמֶר--אֲשֶׁר-בֶּעָפָר יְסוֹדָם: יְדַכְּאוּם, לִפְנֵי-עָשׁ. 19
How much more them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth!
כ מִבֹּקֶר לָעֶרֶב יֻכַּתּוּ; מִבְּלִי מֵשִׂים, לָנֶצַח יֹאבֵדוּ. 20
Betwixt morning and evening they are shattered;
they perish for ever without any regarding it.
כא הֲלֹא-נִסַּע יִתְרָם בָּם; יָמוּתוּ, וְלֹא בְחָכְמָה. 21
Is not their tent-cord plucked up within them?
They die, and that without wisdom.'
Chapter 5
א קְרָא-נָא, הֲיֵשׁ עוֹנֶךָּ; וְאֶל-מִי מִקְּדֹשִׁים תִּפְנֶה. 1
Call now;
is there any that will answer thee?
And to which of the holy ones wilt thou turn?
ב כִּי-לֶאֱוִיל, יַהֲרָג-כָּעַשׂ; וּפֹתֶה, תָּמִית קִנְאָה. 2
For anger killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.
ג אֲנִי-רָאִיתִי, אֱוִיל מַשְׁרִישׁ; וָאֶקּוֹב נָוֵהוּ פִתְאֹם. 3
I have seen the foolish taking root;
but suddenly I beheld his habitation cursed.
ד יִרְחֲקוּ בָנָיו מִיֶּשַׁע; וְיִדַּכְּאוּ בַשַּׁעַר, וְאֵין מַצִּיל. 4
His children are far from safety, and are crushed in the gate, with none to deliver them.
ה אֲשֶׁר קְצִירוֹ, רָעֵב יֹאכֵל--וְאֶל-מִצִּנִּים יִקָּחֵהוּ; וְשָׁאַף צַמִּים חֵילָם. 5
Whose harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the snare gapeth for their substance.
ו כִּי, לֹא-יֵצֵא מֵעָפָר אָוֶן; וּמֵאֲדָמָה, לֹא-יִצְמַח עָמָל. 6
For affliction cometh not forth from the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground;
ז כִּי-אָדָם, לְעָמָל יוּלָּד; וּבְנֵי-רֶשֶׁף, יַגְבִּיהוּ עוּף. 7
But man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
ח אוּלָם--אֲנִי, אֶדְרֹשׁ אֶל-אֵל; וְאֶל-אֱלֹהִים, אָשִׂים דִּבְרָתִי. 8
But as for me, I would seek unto the Almighty, and unto the Almighty would I commit my cause;
ט עֹשֶׂה גְדֹלוֹת, וְאֵין חֵקֶר; נִפְלָאוֹת, עַד-אֵין מִסְפָּר. 9
Who doeth great things and unsearchable, marvellous things without number;
י הַנֹּתֵן מָטָר, עַל-פְּנֵי-אָרֶץ; וְשֹׁלֵחַ מַיִם, עַל-פְּנֵי חוּצוֹת. 10
Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields;
יא לָשׂוּם שְׁפָלִים לְמָרוֹם; וְקֹדְרִים, שָׂגְבוּ יֶשַׁע. 11
So that He setteth up on high those that are low, and those that mourn are exalted to safety.
יב מֵפֵר, מַחְשְׁבוֹת עֲרוּמִים; וְלֹא-תַעֲשֶׂנָה יְדֵיהֶם, תֻּשִׁיָּה. 12
He frustrateth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands can perform nothing substantial.
יג לֹכֵד חֲכָמִים בְּעָרְמָם; וַעֲצַת נִפְתָּלִים נִמְהָרָה. 13
He taketh the wise in their own craftiness;
and the counsel of the wily is carried headlong.
יד יוֹמָם יְפַגְּשׁוּ-חֹשֶׁךְ; וְכַלַּיְלָה, יְמַשְׁשׁוּ בַצָּהֳרָיִם. 14
They meet with darkness in the day-time, and grope at noonday as in the night.
טו וַיֹּשַׁע מֵחֶרֶב, מִפִּיהֶם; וּמִיַּד חָזָק אֶבְיוֹן. 15
But He saveth from the sword of their mouth, even the needy from the hand of the mighty.
טז וַתְּהִי לַדַּל תִּקְוָה; וְעֹלָתָה, קָפְצָה פִּיהָ. 16
So the poor hath hope, and iniquity stoppeth her mouth.
יז הִנֵּה אַשְׁרֵי אֱנוֹשׁ, יוֹכִחֶנּוּ אֱלוֹהַּ; וּמוּסַר שַׁדַּי, אַל-תִּמְאָס. 17
Behold, happy is the man whom the Almighty correcteth;
therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.
יח כִּי הוּא יַכְאִיב וְיֶחְבָּשׁ; יִמְחַץ, וְיָדָו תִּרְפֶּינָה. 18
For He maketh sore, and bindeth up;
He woundeth, and His hands make whole.
יט בְּשֵׁשׁ צָרוֹת, יַצִּילֶךָּ; וּבְשֶׁבַע, לֹא-יִגַּע בְּךָ רָע. 19
He will deliver thee in six troubles;
yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.
כ בְּרָעָב, פָּדְךָ מִמָּוֶת; וּבְמִלְחָמָה, מִידֵי חָרֶב. 20
In famine He will redeem thee from death;
and in war from the power of the sword.
כא בְּשׁוֹט לָשׁוֹן, תֵּחָבֵא; וְלֹא-תִירָא מִשֹּׁד, כִּי יָבוֹא. 21
Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue;
neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
כב לְשֹׁד וּלְכָפָן תִּשְׂחָק; וּמֵחַיַּת הָאָרֶץ, אַל-תִּירָא. 22
At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh;
neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.
כג כִּי עִם-אַבְנֵי הַשָּׂדֶה בְרִיתֶךָ; וְחַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה, הָשְׁלְמָה-לָּךְ. 23
For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field;
and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.
כד וְיָדַעְתָּ, כִּי-שָׁלוֹם אָהֳלֶךָ; וּפָקַדְתָּ נָוְךָ, וְלֹא תֶחֱטָא. 24
And thou shalt know that thy tent is in peace;
and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt miss nothing.
כה וְיָדַעְתָּ, כִּי-רַב זַרְעֶךָ; וְצֶאֱצָאֶיךָ, כְּעֵשֶׂב הָאָרֶץ. 25
Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thine offspring as the grass of the earth.
כו תָּבוֹא בְכֶלַח אֱלֵי-קָבֶר; כַּעֲלוֹת גָּדִישׁ בְּעִתּוֹ. 26
Thou shalt come to thy grave in a ripe age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in its season.
כז הִנֵּה-זֹאת חֲקַרְנוּהָ כֶּן-הִיא; שְׁמָעֶנָּה, וְאַתָּה דַע-לָךְ. 27
Lo this, we have searched it, so it is;
hear it, and know thou it for thy good.
Chapter 6
א וַיַּעַן אִיּוֹב, וַיֹּאמַר. 1 {S}
Then Job answered and said:
ב לוּ--שָׁקוֹל יִשָּׁקֵל כַּעְשִׂי; והיתי (וְהַוָּתִי), בְּמֹאזְנַיִם יִשְׂאוּ-יָחַד. 2
Oh that my vexation were but weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances altogether!
ג כִּי-עַתָּה--מֵחוֹל יַמִּים יִכְבָּד; עַל-כֵּן, דְּבָרַי לָעוּ. 3
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas;
therefore are my words broken.
ד כִּי חִצֵּי שַׁדַּי, עִמָּדִי--אֲשֶׁר חֲמָתָם, שֹׁתָה רוּחִי; בִּעוּתֵי אֱלוֹהַּ יַעַרְכוּנִי. 4
For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof my spirit drinketh up;
the terrors of the Almighty do set themselves in array against me.
ה הֲיִנְהַק-פֶּרֶא עֲלֵי-דֶשֶׁא; אִם יִגְעֶה-שּׁוֹר, עַל-בְּלִילוֹ. 5
Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass?
or loweth the ox over his fodder?
ו הֲיֵאָכֵל תָּפֵל, מִבְּלִי-מֶלַח; אִם-יֶשׁ-טַעַם, בְּרִיר חַלָּמוּת. 6
Can that which hath no savour be eaten without salt?
or is there any taste in the juice of mallows?
ז מֵאֲנָה לִנְגּוֹעַ נַפְשִׁי; הֵמָּה, כִּדְוֵי לַחְמִי. 7
My soul refuseth to touch them;
they are as the sickness of my flesh.
ח מִי-יִתֵּן, תָּבוֹא שֶׁאֱלָתִי; וְתִקְוָתִי, יִתֵּן אֱלוֹהַּ. 8
Oh that I might have my request, and that the Almighty would grant me the thing that I long for!
ט וְיֹאֵל אֱלוֹהַּ, וִידַכְּאֵנִי; יַתֵּר יָדוֹ, וִיבַצְּעֵנִי. 9
Even that it would please the Almighty to crush me;
that He would let loose His hand, and cut me off!
י וּתְהִי-עוֹד, נֶחָמָתִי-- וַאֲסַלְּדָה בְחִילָה, לֹא יַחְמוֹל:
כִּי-לֹא כִחַדְתִּי, אִמְרֵי קָדוֹשׁ. 10
Then should I yet have comfort;
yea, I would exult in pain, though He spare not; {N}
for I have not denied the words of the Holy One.
יא מַה-כֹּחִי כִי-אֲיַחֵל; וּמַה-קִּצִּי, כִּי-אַאֲרִיךְ נַפְשִׁי. 11
What is my strength, that I should wait?
and what is mine end, that I should be patient?
יב אִם-כֹּחַ אֲבָנִים כֹּחִי; אִם-בְּשָׂרִי נָחוּשׁ. 12
Is my strength the strength of stones?
or is my flesh of brass?
יג הַאִם אֵין עֶזְרָתִי בִי; וְתֻשִׁיָּה, נִדְּחָה מִמֶּנִּי. 13
Is it that I have no help in me, and that sound wisdom is driven quite from me?
יד לַמָּס מֵרֵעֵהוּ חָסֶד; וְיִרְאַת שַׁדַּי יַעֲזוֹב. 14
To him that is ready to faint kindness is due from his friend, even to him that forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
טו אַחַי, בָּגְדוּ כְמוֹ-נָחַל; כַּאֲפִיק נְחָלִים יַעֲבֹרוּ. 15
My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, as the channel of brooks that overflow,
טז הַקֹּדְרִים מִנִּי-קָרַח; עָלֵימוֹ, יִתְעַלֶּם-שָׁלֶג. 16
Which are black by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow hideth itself;
יז בְּעֵת יְזֹרְבוּ נִצְמָתוּ; בְּחֻמּוֹ, נִדְעֲכוּ מִמְּקוֹמָם. 17
What time they wax warm, they vanish, when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
יח יִלָּפְתוּ, אָרְחוֹת דַּרְכָּם; יַעֲלוּ בַתֹּהוּ וְיֹאבֵדוּ. 18
The paths of their way do wind, they go up into the waste, and are lost.
יט הִבִּיטוּ, אָרְחוֹת תֵּמָא; הֲלִיכֹת שְׁבָא, קִוּוּ-לָמוֹ. 19
The caravans of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them--
כ בֹּשׁוּ כִּי-בָטָח; בָּאוּ עָדֶיהָ, וַיֶּחְפָּרוּ. 20
They were ashamed because they had hoped;
they came thither, and were confounded.
כא כִּי-עַתָּה, הֱיִיתֶם לֹא; תִּרְאוּ חֲתַת, וַתִּירָאוּ. 21
For now ye are become His;
ye see a terror, and are afraid.
כב הֲכִי-אָמַרְתִּי, הָבוּ לִי; וּמִכֹּחֲכֶם, שִׁחֲדוּ בַעֲדִי. 22
Did I say:
'Give unto me'?
or:
'Offer a present for me of your substance'?
כג וּמַלְּטוּנִי מִיַּד-צָר; וּמִיַּד עָרִיצִים תִּפְדּוּנִי. 23
or:
'Deliver me from the adversary's hand'?
or:
'Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors'?
כד הוֹרוּנִי, וַאֲנִי אַחֲרִישׁ; וּמַה-שָּׁגִיתִי, הָבִינוּ לִי. 24
Teach me, and I will hold my peace;
and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
כה מַה-נִּמְרְצוּ אִמְרֵי-יֹשֶׁר; וּמַה-יּוֹכִיחַ הוֹכֵחַ מִכֶּם. 25
How forcible are words of uprightness!
But what doth your arguing argue?
כו הַלְהוֹכַח מִלִּים תַּחְשֹׁבוּ; וּלְרוּחַ, אִמְרֵי נֹאָשׁ. 26
Do ye hold words to be an argument, but the speeches of one that is desperate to be wind?
כז אַף-עַל-יָתוֹם תַּפִּילוּ; וְתִכְרוּ, עַל-רֵיעֲכֶם. 27
Yea, ye would cast lots upon the fatherless, and dig a pit for your friend.
כח וְעַתָּה, הוֹאִילוּ פְנוּ-בִי; וְעַל-פְּנֵיכֶם, אִם-אֲכַזֵּב. 28
Now therefore be pleased to look upon me;
for surely I shall not lie to your face.
כט שׁוּבוּ-נָא, אַל-תְּהִי עַוְלָה; ושבי (וְשֻׁבוּ) עוֹד, צִדְקִי-בָהּ. 29
Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice;
yea, return again, my cause is righteous.
ל הֲיֵשׁ-בִּלְשׁוֹנִי עַוְלָה; אִם-חִכִּי, לֹא-יָבִין הַוּוֹת. 30
Is there injustice on my tongue?
Cannot my taste discern crafty devices?
Chapter 7
א הֲלֹא-צָבָא לֶאֱנוֹשׁ על- (עֲלֵי-) אָרֶץ; וְכִימֵי שָׂכִיר יָמָיו. 1
Is there not a time of service to man upon earth?
And are not his days like the days of a hireling?
ב כְּעֶבֶד יִשְׁאַף-צֵל; וּכְשָׂכִיר, יְקַוֶּה פָעֳלוֹ. 2
As a servant that eagerly longeth for the shadow, and as a hireling that looketh for his wages;
ג כֵּן הָנְחַלְתִּי לִי, יַרְחֵי-שָׁוְא; וְלֵילוֹת עָמָל, מִנּוּ-לִי. 3
So am I made to possess--
months of vanity, and wearisome nights are appointed to me.
ד אִם-שָׁכַבְתִּי-- וְאָמַרְתִּי, מָתַי אָקוּם וּמִדַּד-עָרֶב;
וְשָׂבַעְתִּי נְדֻדִים עֲדֵי-נָשֶׁף. 4
When I lie down, I say:
'When shall I arise?'
But the night is long, {N}
and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day.
ה לָבַשׁ בְּשָׂרִי רִמָּה, וגיש (וְגוּשׁ) עָפָר; עוֹרִי רָגַע, וַיִּמָּאֵס. 5
My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust;
my skin closeth up and breaketh out afresh.
ו יָמַי קַלּוּ, מִנִּי-אָרֶג; וַיִּכְלוּ, בְּאֶפֶס תִּקְוָה. 6
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.
ז זְכֹר, כִּי-רוּחַ חַיָּי; לֹא-תָשׁוּב עֵינִי, לִרְאוֹת טוֹב. 7
O remember that my life is a breath;
mine eye shall no more see good.
ח לֹא-תְשׁוּרֵנִי, עֵין רֹאִי; עֵינֶיךָ בִּי וְאֵינֶנִּי. 8
The eye of him that seeth me shall behold me no more;
while Thine eyes are upon me, I am gone.
ט כָּלָה עָנָן, וַיֵּלַךְ; כֵּן יוֹרֵד שְׁאוֹל, לֹא יַעֲלֶה. 9
As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away, so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.
י לֹא-יָשׁוּב עוֹד לְבֵיתוֹ; וְלֹא-יַכִּירֶנּוּ עוֹד מְקֹמוֹ. 10
He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place know him any more.
יא גַּם-אֲנִי, לֹא אֶחֱשָׂךְ-פִּי:
אֲדַבְּרָה, בְּצַר רוּחִי; אָשִׂיחָה, בְּמַר נַפְשִׁי. 11
Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; {N}
I will speak in the anguish of my spirit;
I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
יב הֲיָם-אָנִי, אִם-תַּנִּין: כִּי-תָשִׂים עָלַי מִשְׁמָר. 12
Am I a sea, or a sea-monster, that Thou settest a watch over me?
יג כִּי-אָמַרְתִּי, תְּנַחֲמֵנִי עַרְשִׂי; יִשָּׂא בְשִׂיחִי, מִשְׁכָּבִי. 13
When I say:
'My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint';
יד וְחִתַּתַּנִי בַחֲלֹמוֹת; וּמֵחֶזְיֹנוֹת תְּבַעֲתַנִּי. 14
Then Thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions;
טו וַתִּבְחַר מַחֲנָק נַפְשִׁי; מָוֶת, מֵעַצְמוֹתָי. 15
So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than these my bones.
טז מָאַסְתִּי, לֹא-לְעֹלָם אֶחְיֶה; חֲדַל מִמֶּנִּי, כִּי-הֶבֶל יָמָי. 16
I loathe it;
I shall not live alway;
let me alone;
for my days are vanity.
יז מָה-אֱנוֹשׁ, כִּי תְגַדְּלֶנּוּ; וְכִי-תָשִׁית אֵלָיו לִבֶּךָ. 17
What is man, that Thou shouldest magnify him, and that Thou shouldest set Thy heart upon him,
יח וַתִּפְקְדֶנּוּ לִבְקָרִים; לִרְגָעִים, תִּבְחָנֶנּוּ. 18
And that Thou shouldest remember him every morning, and try him every moment?
יט כַּמָּה, לֹא-תִשְׁעֶה מִמֶּנִּי; לֹא-תַרְפֵּנִי, עַד-בִּלְעִי רֻקִּי. 19
How long wilt Thou not look away from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?
כ חָטָאתִי, מָה אֶפְעַל לָךְ-- נֹצֵר הָאָדָם:
לָמָה שַׂמְתַּנִי לְמִפְגָּע לָךְ; וָאֶהְיֶה עָלַי לְמַשָּׂא. 20
If I have sinned, what do I unto Thee, O Thou watcher of men? {N}
Why hast Thou set me as a mark for Thee, so that I am a burden to myself?
כא וּמֶה, לֹא-תִשָּׂא פִשְׁעִי-- וְתַעֲבִיר אֶת-עֲוֹנִי:
כִּי-עַתָּה, לֶעָפָר אֶשְׁכָּב; וְשִׁחַרְתַּנִי וְאֵינֶנִּי. 21
And why dost Thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? {N}
For now shall I lie down in the dust;
and Thou wilt seek me, but I shall not be.
Chapter 8
א וַיַּעַן, בִּלְדַּד הַשּׁוּחִי; וַיֹּאמַר. 1 {S}
Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said:
ב עַד-אָן, תְּמַלֶּל-אֵלֶּה; וְרוּחַ כַּבִּיר, אִמְרֵי-פִיךָ. 2
How long wilt thou speak these things, seeing that the words of thy mouth are as a mighty wind?
ג הַאֵל, יְעַוֵּת מִשְׁפָּט; וְאִם-שַׁדַּי, יְעַוֵּת-צֶדֶק. 3
Doth the Almighty pervert judgment?
Or doth the Almighty pervert justice?
ד אִם-בָּנֶיךָ חָטְאוּ-לוֹ; וַיְשַׁלְּחֵם, בְּיַד-פִּשְׁעָם. 4
If thy children sinned against Him, He delivered them into the hand of their transgression.
ה אִם-אַתָּה, תְּשַׁחֵר אֶל-אֵל; וְאֶל-שַׁדַּי, תִּתְחַנָּן. 5
If thou wouldest seek earnestly unto the Almighty, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;
ו אִם-זַךְ וְיָשָׁר, אָתָּה: כִּי-עַתָּה, יָעִיר עָלֶיךָ; וְשִׁלַּם, נְוַת צִדְקֶךָ. 6
If thou wert pure and upright;
surely now He would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
ז וְהָיָה רֵאשִׁיתְךָ מִצְעָר; וְאַחֲרִיתְךָ, יִשְׂגֶּה מְאֹד. 7
And though thy beginning was small, yet thy end should greatly increase.
ח כִּי-שְׁאַל-נָא, לְדֹר רִישׁוֹן; וְכוֹנֵן, לְחֵקֶר אֲבוֹתָם. 8
For inquire, I pray thee, of the former generation, and apply thyself to that which their fathers have searched out--
ט כִּי-תְמוֹל אֲנַחְנוּ, וְלֹא נֵדָע: כִּי צֵל יָמֵינוּ עֲלֵי-אָרֶץ. 9
For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow--
י הֲלֹא-הֵם יוֹרוּךָ, יֹאמְרוּ לָךְ; וּמִלִּבָּם, יוֹצִאוּ מִלִּים. 10
Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?
יא הֲיִגְאֶה-גֹּמֶא, בְּלֹא בִצָּה; יִשְׂגֶּה-אָחוּ בְלִי-מָיִם. 11
Can the rush shoot up without mire?
Can the reed-grass grow without water?
יב עֹדֶנּוּ בְאִבּוֹ, לֹא יִקָּטֵף; וְלִפְנֵי כָל-חָצִיר יִיבָשׁ. 12
Whilst it is yet in its greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.
יג כֵּן--אָרְחוֹת, כָּל-שֹׁכְחֵי אֵל; וְתִקְוַת חָנֵף תֹּאבֵד. 13
So are the paths of all that forget the Almighty;
and the hope of the the Almighty less man shall perish;
יד אֲשֶׁר-יָקוֹט כִּסְלוֹ; וּבֵית עַכָּבִישׁ, מִבְטַחוֹ. 14
Whose confidence is gossamer, and whose trust is a spider's web.
טו יִשָּׁעֵן עַל-בֵּיתוֹ, וְלֹא יַעֲמֹד; יַחֲזִיק בּוֹ, וְלֹא יָקוּם. 15
He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand;
he shall hold fast thereby, but it shall not endure.
טז רָטֹב הוּא, לִפְנֵי-שָׁמֶשׁ; וְעַל גַּנָּתוֹ, יֹנַקְתּוֹ תֵצֵא. 16
He is green before the sun, and his shoots go forth over his garden.
יז עַל-גַּל, שָׁרָשָׁיו יְסֻבָּכוּ; בֵּית אֲבָנִים יֶחֱזֶה. 17
His roots are wrapped about the heap, he beholdeth the place of stones.
יח אִם-יְבַלְּעֶנּוּ מִמְּקֹמוֹ; וְכִחֶשׁ בּוֹ, לֹא רְאִיתִיךָ. 18
If he be destroyed from his place, then it shall deny him:
'I have not seen thee.'
יט הֶן-הוּא, מְשׂוֹשׂ דַּרְכּוֹ; וּמֵעָפָר, אַחֵר יִצְמָחוּ. 19
Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others spring.
כ הֶן-אֵל, לֹא יִמְאַס-תָּם; וְלֹא-יַחֲזִיק, בְּיַד-מְרֵעִים. 20
Behold, the Almighty will not cast away an innocent man, neither will He uphold the evil-doers;
כא עַד-יְמַלֵּה שְׂחוֹק פִּיךָ; וּשְׂפָתֶיךָ תְרוּעָה. 21
Till He fill thy mouth with laughter, and thy lips with shouting.
כב שֹׂנְאֶיךָ יִלְבְּשׁוּ-בֹשֶׁת; וְאֹהֶל רְשָׁעִים אֵינֶנּוּ. 22
They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the tent of the wicked shall be no more.
Chapter 9
א וַיַּעַן אִיּוֹב, וַיֹּאמַר. 1 {S}
Then Job answered and said:
ב אָמְנָם, יָדַעְתִּי כִי-כֵן; וּמַה-יִּצְדַּק אֱנוֹשׁ עִם-אֵל. 2
Of a truth I know that it is so;
and how can man be just with the Almighty?
ג אִם-יַחְפֹּץ, לָרִיב עִמּוֹ-- לֹא-יַעֲנֶנּוּ, אַחַת מִנִּי-אָלֶף. 3
If one should desire to contend with Him, he could not answer Him one of a thousand.
ד חֲכַם לֵבָב, וְאַמִּיץ כֹּחַ-- מִי-הִקְשָׁה אֵלָיו, וַיִּשְׁלָם. 4
He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength;
who hath hardened himself against Him, and prospered?
ה הַמַּעְתִּיק הָרִים, וְלֹא יָדָעוּ-- אֲשֶׁר הֲפָכָם בְּאַפּוֹ. 5
Who removeth the mountains, and they know it not, when He overturneth them in His anger.
ו הַמַּרְגִּיז אֶרֶץ, מִמְּקוֹמָהּ; וְעַמּוּדֶיהָ, יִתְפַּלָּצוּן. 6
Who shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.
ז הָאֹמֵר לַחֶרֶס, וְלֹא יִזְרָח; וּבְעַד כּוֹכָבִים יַחְתֹּם. 7
Who commandeth the sun, and it riseth not;
and sealeth up the stars.
ח נֹטֶה שָׁמַיִם לְבַדּוֹ; וְדוֹרֵךְ, עַל-בָּמֳתֵי יָם. 8
Who alone stretcheth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.
ט עֹשֶׂה-עָשׁ, כְּסִיל וְכִימָה; וְחַדְרֵי תֵמָן. 9
Who maketh the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.
י עֹשֶׂה גְדֹלוֹת, עַד-אֵין חֵקֶר; וְנִפְלָאוֹת, עַד-אֵין מִסְפָּר. 10
Who doeth great things past finding out;
yea, marvellous things without number.
יא הֵן יַעֲבֹר עָלַי, וְלֹא אֶרְאֶה; וְיַחֲלֹף, וְלֹא-אָבִין לוֹ. 11
Lo, He goeth by me, and I see Him not.
He passeth on also, but I perceive Him not.
יב הֵן יַחְתֹּף, מִי יְשִׁיבֶנּוּ; מִי-יֹאמַר אֵלָיו, מַה-תַּעֲשֶׂה. 12
Behold, He snatcheth away, who can hinder Him?
Who will say unto Him:
'What doest Thou?'
יג אֱלוֹהַּ, לֹא-יָשִׁיב אַפּוֹ; תַּחְתָּו שָׁחֲחוּ, עֹזְרֵי רָהַב. 13
the Almighty will not withdraw His anger;
the helpers of Rahab did stoop under Him.
יד אַף, כִּי-אָנֹכִי אֶעֱנֶנּוּ; אֶבְחֲרָה דְבָרַי עִמּוֹ. 14
How much less shall I answer Him, and choose out my arguments with Him?
טו אֲשֶׁר אִם-צָדַקְתִּי, לֹא אֶעֱנֶה; לִמְשֹׁפְטִי, אֶתְחַנָּן. 15
Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer;
I would make supplication to Him that contendeth with me.
טז אִם-קָרָאתִי וַיַּעֲנֵנִי-- לֹא-אַאֲמִין, כִּי-יַאֲזִין קוֹלִי. 16
If I had called, and He had answered me;
yet would I not believe that He would hearken unto my voice--
יז אֲשֶׁר-בִּשְׂעָרָה יְשׁוּפֵנִי; וְהִרְבָּה פְצָעַי חִנָּם. 17
He that would break me with a tempest, and multiply my wounds without cause;
יח לֹא-יִתְּנֵנִי, הָשֵׁב רוּחִי: כִּי יַשְׂבִּעַנִי, מַמְּרֹרִים. 18
That would not suffer me to take my breath, but fill me with bitterness.
יט אִם-לְכֹחַ אַמִּיץ הִנֵּה; וְאִם-לְמִשְׁפָּט, מִי יוֹעִידֵנִי. 19
If it be a matter of strength, lo, He is mighty!
and if of justice, who will appoint me a time?
כ אִם-אֶצְדָּק, פִּי יַרְשִׁיעֵנִי; תָּם-אָנִי, וַיַּעְקְשֵׁנִי. 20
Though I be righteous, mine own mouth shall condemn me;
though I be innocent, He shall prove me perverse.
כא תָּם-אָנִי, לֹא-אֵדַע נַפְשִׁי; אֶמְאַס חַיָּי. 21
I am innocent--
I regard not myself, I despise my life.
כב אַחַת, הִיא: עַל-כֵּן אָמַרְתִּי--תָּם וְרָשָׁע, הוּא מְכַלֶּה. 22
It is all one--
therefore I say:
He destroyeth the innocent and the wicked.
כג אִם-שׁוֹט, יָמִית פִּתְאֹם-- לְמַסַּת נְקִיִּם יִלְעָג. 23
If the scourge slay suddenly, He will mock at the calamity of the guiltless.
כד אֶרֶץ, נִתְּנָה בְיַד-רָשָׁע-- פְּנֵי-שֹׁפְטֶיהָ יְכַסֶּה;
אִם-לֹא אֵפוֹא מִי-הוּא. 24
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked;
he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; {N}
if it be not He, who then is it?
כה וְיָמַי קַלּוּ, מִנִּי-רָץ; בָּרְחוּ, לֹא-רָאוּ טוֹבָה. 25
Now my days are swifter than a runner;
they flee away, they see no good.
כו חָלְפוּ, עִם-אֳנִיּוֹת אֵבֶה; כְּנֶשֶׁר, יָטוּשׂ עֲלֵי-אֹכֶל. 26
They are passed away as the swift ships;
as the vulture that swoopeth on the prey.
כז אִם-אָמְרִי, אֶשְׁכְּחָה שִׂיחִי; אֶעֶזְבָה פָנַי וְאַבְלִיגָה. 27
If I say:
'I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad countenance, and be of good cheer',
כח יָגֹרְתִּי כָל-עַצְּבֹתָי; יָדַעְתִּי, כִּי-לֹא תְנַקֵּנִי. 28
I am afraid of all my pains, I know that Thou wilt not hold me guiltless.
כט אָנֹכִי אֶרְשָׁע; לָמָּה-זֶּה, הֶבֶל אִיגָע. 29
I shall be condemned;
why then do I labour in vain?
ל אִם-הִתְרָחַצְתִּי במו- (בְמֵי-) שָׁלֶג; וַהֲזִכּוֹתִי, בְּבֹר כַּפָּי. 30
If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
לא אָז, בַּשַּׁחַת תִּטְבְּלֵנִי; וְתִעֲבוּנִי, שַׂלְמוֹתָי. 31
Yet wilt Thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.
לב כִּי-לֹא-אִישׁ כָּמוֹנִי אֶעֱנֶנּוּ; נָבוֹא יַחְדָּו, בַּמִּשְׁפָּט. 32
For He is not a man, as I am, that I should answer Him, that we should come together in judgment.
לג לֹא יֵשׁ-בֵּינֵינוּ מוֹכִיחַ-- יָשֵׁת יָדוֹ עַל-שְׁנֵינוּ. 33
There is no arbiter betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
לד יָסֵר מֵעָלַי שִׁבְטוֹ; וְאֵמָתוֹ, אַל-תְּבַעֲתַנִּי. 34
Let Him take His rod away from me, and let not His terror make me afraid;
לה אֲדַבְּרָה, וְלֹא אִירָאֶנּוּ: כִּי לֹא-כֵן אָנֹכִי, עִמָּדִי. 35
Then would I speak, and not fear Him;
for I am not so with myself.
Chapter 10
א נָקְטָה נַפְשִׁי, בְּחַיָּי: אֶעֶזְבָה עָלַי שִׂיחִי; אֲדַבְּרָה, בְּמַר נַפְשִׁי. 1
My soul is weary of my life;
I will give free course to my complaint;
I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
ב אֹמַר אֶל-אֱלוֹהַּ, אַל-תַּרְשִׁיעֵנִי; הוֹדִיעֵנִי, עַל מַה-תְּרִיבֵנִי. 2
I will say unto the Almighty:
Do not condemn me;
make me know wherefore Thou contendest with me.
ג הֲטוֹב לְךָ, כִּי-תַעֲשֹׁק--כִּי-תִמְאַס, יְגִיעַ כַּפֶּיךָ; וְעַל-עֲצַת רְשָׁעִים הוֹפָעְתָּ. 3
Is it good unto Thee that Thou shouldest oppress, that Thou shouldest despise the work of Thy hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?
ד הַעֵינֵי בָשָׂר לָךְ: אִם-כִּרְאוֹת אֱנוֹשׁ תִּרְאֶה. 4
Hast Thou eyes of flesh?
or seest Thou as man seeth?
ה הֲכִימֵי אֱנוֹשׁ יָמֶיךָ: אִם-שְׁנוֹתֶיךָ, כִּימֵי גָבֶר. 5
Are Thy days as the days of man, or Thy years as a man's days,
ו כִּי-תְבַקֵּשׁ לַעֲוֹנִי; וּלְחַטָּאתִי תִדְרוֹשׁ. 6
That Thou inquirest after mine iniquity, and searchest after my sin,
ז עַל-דַּעְתְּךָ, כִּי-לֹא אֶרְשָׁע; וְאֵין מִיָּדְךָ מַצִּיל. 7
Although Thou knowest that I shall not be condemned;
and there is none that can deliver out of Thy hand?
ח יָדֶיךָ עִצְּבוּנִי, וַיַּעֲשׂוּנִי; יַחַד סָבִיב, וַתְּבַלְּעֵנִי. 8
Thy hands have framed me and fashioned me together round about;
yet Thou dost destroy me!
ט זְכָר-נָא, כִּי-כַחֹמֶר עֲשִׂיתָנִי; וְאֶל-עָפָר תְּשִׁיבֵנִי. 9
Remember, I beseech Thee, that Thou hast fashioned me as clay;
and wilt Thou bring me into dust again?
י הֲלֹא כֶחָלָב, תַּתִּיכֵנִי; וְכַגְּבִנָּה, תַּקְפִּיאֵנִי. 10
Hast Thou not poured me out as milk,
and curdled me like cheese?
יא עוֹר וּבָשָׂר, תַּלְבִּישֵׁנִי; וּבַעֲצָמוֹת וְגִידִים, תְּשֹׂכְכֵנִי. 11
Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and knit me together with bones and sinews.
יב חַיִּים וָחֶסֶד, עָשִׂיתָ עִמָּדִי; וּפְקֻדָּתְךָ, שָׁמְרָה רוּחִי. 12
Thou hast granted me life and favour, and Thy providence hath preserved my spirit.
יג וְאֵלֶּה, צָפַנְתָּ בִלְבָבֶךָ; יָדַעְתִּי, כִּי-זֹאת עִמָּךְ. 13
Yet these things Thou didst hide in Thy heart;
I know that this is with Thee;
יד אִם-חָטָאתִי וּשְׁמַרְתָּנִי; וּמֵעֲוֹנִי, לֹא תְנַקֵּנִי. 14
If I sin, then Thou markest me, and Thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.
טו אִם-רָשַׁעְתִּי, אַלְלַי לִי-- וְצָדַקְתִּי, לֹא-אֶשָּׂא רֹאשִׁי;
שְׂבַע קָלוֹן, וּרְאֵה עָנְיִי. 15
If I be wicked, woe unto me;
and if I be righteous, yet shall I not lift up my head-- {N}
being filled with ignominy and looking upon mine affliction.
טז וְיִגְאֶה, כַּשַּׁחַל תְּצוּדֵנִי; וְתָשֹׁב, תִּתְפַּלָּא-בִי. 16
And if it exalt itself, Thou huntest me as a lion;
and again Thou showest Thyself marvellous upon me.
יז תְּחַדֵּשׁ עֵדֶיךָ, נֶגְדִּי, וְתֶרֶב כַּעַשְׂךָ, עִמָּדִי; חֲלִיפוֹת וְצָבָא עִמִּי. 17
Thou renewest Thy witnesses against me, and increasest Thine indignation upon me;
host succeeding host against me.
יח וְלָמָּה מֵרֶחֶם, הֹצֵאתָנִי; אֶגְוַע, וְעַיִן לֹא-תִרְאֵנִי. 18
Wherefore then hast Thou brought me forth out of the womb?
Would that I had perished, and no eye had seen me!
יט כַּאֲשֶׁר לֹא-הָיִיתִי אֶהְיֶה; מִבֶּטֶן, לַקֶּבֶר אוּבָל. 19
I should have been as though I had not been;
I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.
כ הֲלֹא-מְעַט יָמַי יחדל (וַחֲדָל); ישית (וְשִׁית) מִמֶּנִּי, וְאַבְלִיגָה מְּעָט. 20
Are not my days few?
Cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,
כא בְּטֶרֶם אֵלֵךְ, וְלֹא אָשׁוּב-- אֶל-אֶרֶץ חֹשֶׁךְ וְצַלְמָוֶת. 21
Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and of the shadow of death;
כב אֶרֶץ עֵפָתָה, כְּמוֹ אֹפֶל--צַלְמָוֶת, וְלֹא סְדָרִים; וַתֹּפַע כְּמוֹ-אֹפֶל. 22
A land of thick darkness, as darkness itself;
a land of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.
Chapter 11
א וַיַּעַן, צֹפַר הַנַּעֲמָתִי; וַיֹּאמַר. 1 {S}
Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said:
ב הֲרֹב דְּבָרִים, לֹא יֵעָנֶה; וְאִם-אִישׁ שְׂפָתַיִם יִצְדָּק. 2
Should not the multitude of words be answered?
And should a man full of talk be accounted right?
ג בַּדֶּיךָ, מְתִים יַחֲרִישׁוּ; וַתִּלְעַג, וְאֵין מַכְלִם. 3
Thy boastings have made men hold their peace, and thou hast mocked, with none to make thee ashamed;
ד וַתֹּאמֶר, זַךְ לִקְחִי; וּבַר, הָיִיתִי בְעֵינֶיךָ. 4
And thou hast said:
'My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in Thine eyes.'
ה וְאוּלָם--מִי-יִתֵּן אֱלוֹהַּ דַּבֵּר; וְיִפְתַּח שְׂפָתָיו עִמָּךְ. 5
But oh that the Almighty would speak, and open His lips against thee;
ו וְיַגֶּד-לְךָ, תַּעֲלֻמוֹת חָכְמָה-- כִּי-כִפְלַיִם לְתוּשִׁיָּה:
וְדַע-- כִּי-יַשֶּׁה לְךָ אֱלוֹהַּ, מֵעֲוֹנֶךָ. 6
And that He would tell thee the secrets of wisdom, that sound wisdom is manifold! {N}
Know therefore that the Almighty exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.
ז הַחֵקֶר אֱלוֹהַּ תִּמְצָא; אִם עַד-תַּכְלִית שַׁדַּי תִּמְצָא. 7
Canst thou find out the deep things of the Almighty?
Canst thou attain unto the purpose of the Almighty?
ח גָּבְהֵי שָׁמַיִם, מַה-תִּפְעָל; עֲמֻקָּה מִשְּׁאוֹל, מַה-תֵּדָע. 8
It is high as heaven;
what canst thou do?
Deeper than the nether-world;
what canst thou know?
ט אֲרֻכָּה מֵאֶרֶץ מִדָּהּ; וּרְחָבָה, מִנִּי-יָם. 9
The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
י אִם-יַחֲלֹף וְיַסְגִּיר; וְיַקְהִיל, וּמִי יְשִׁיבֶנּוּ. 10
If He pass by, and shut up, or gather in, then who can hinder Him?
יא כִּי-הוּא, יָדַע מְתֵי-שָׁוְא; וַיַּרְא-אָוֶן, וְלֹא יִתְבּוֹנָן. 11
For He knoweth base men;
and when He seeth iniquity, will He not then consider it?
יב וְאִישׁ נָבוּב, יִלָּבֵב; וְעַיִר פֶּרֶא, אָדָם יִוָּלֵד. 12
But an empty man will get understanding, when a wild ass's colt is born a man.
יג אִם-אַתָּה, הֲכִינוֹתָ לִבֶּךָ; וּפָרַשְׂתָּ אֵלָיו כַּפֶּיךָ. 13
If thou set thy heart aright, and stretch out thy hands toward Him--
יד אִם-אָוֶן בְּיָדְךָ, הַרְחִיקֵהוּ; וְאַל-תַּשְׁכֵּן בְּאֹהָלֶיךָ עַוְלָה. 14
If iniquity be in thy hand, put it far away, and let not unrighteousness dwell in thy tents--
טו כִּי-אָז, תִּשָּׂא פָנֶיךָ מִמּוּם; וְהָיִיתָ מֻצָק, וְלֹא תִירָא. 15
Surely then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot;
yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear;
טז כִּי-אַתָּה, עָמָל תִּשְׁכָּח; כְּמַיִם עָבְרוּ תִזְכֹּר. 16
For thou shalt forget thy misery;
thou shalt remember it as waters that are passed away;
יז וּמִצָּהֳרַיִם, יָקוּם חָלֶד; תָּעֻפָה, כַּבֹּקֶר תִּהְיֶה. 17
And thy life shall be clearer than the noonday;
though there be darkness, it shall be as the morning.
יח וּבָטַחְתָּ, כִּי-יֵשׁ תִּקְוָה; וְחָפַרְתָּ, לָבֶטַח תִּשְׁכָּב. 18
And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope;
yea, thou shalt look about thee, and shalt take thy rest in safety.
יט וְרָבַצְתָּ, וְאֵין מַחֲרִיד; וְחִלּוּ פָנֶיךָ רַבִּים. 19
Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid;
yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
כ וְעֵינֵי רְשָׁעִים, תִּכְלֶינָה: וּמָנוֹס, אָבַד מִנְהֶם; וְתִקְוָתָם, מַפַּח-נָפֶשׁ. 20
But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall have no way to flee, and their hope shall be the drooping of the soul.
Chapter 12
א וַיַּעַן אִיּוֹב, וַיֹּאמַר. 1 {S}
Then Job answered and said:
ב אָמְנָם, כִּי אַתֶּם-עָם; וְעִמָּכֶם, תָּמוּת חָכְמָה. 2
No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
ג גַּם-לִי לֵבָב, כְּמוֹכֶם--לֹא-נֹפֵל אָנֹכִי מִכֶּם; וְאֶת-מִי-אֵין כְּמוֹ-אֵלֶּה. 3
But I have understanding as well as you;
I am not inferior to you;
yea, who knoweth not such things as these?
ד שְׂחֹק לְרֵעֵהוּ, אֶהְיֶה--קֹרֵא לֶאֱלוֹהַּ, וַיַּעֲנֵהוּ; שְׂחוֹק, צַדִּיק תָּמִים. 4
I am as one that is a laughing-stock to his neighbour, a man that called upon the Almighty, and He answered him;
the just, the innocent man is a laughing-stock,
ה לַפִּיד בּוּז, לְעַשְׁתּוּת שַׁאֲנָן-- נָכוֹן, לְמוֹעֲדֵי רָגֶל. 5
A contemptible brand in the thought of him that is at ease, a thing ready for them whose foot slippeth.
ו יִשְׁלָיוּ אֹהָלִים, לְשֹׁדְדִים, וּבַטֻּחוֹת, לְמַרְגִּיזֵי אֵל-- לַאֲשֶׁר הֵבִיא אֱלוֹהַּ בְּיָדוֹ. 6
The tents of robbers prosper, and they that provoke the Almighty are secure, in whatsoever the Almighty bringeth into their hand.
ז וְאוּלָם--שְׁאַל-נָא בְהֵמוֹת וְתֹרֶךָּ; וְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְיַגֶּד-לָךְ. 7
But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee;
and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee;
ח אוֹ שִׂיחַ לָאָרֶץ וְתֹרֶךָּ; וִיסַפְּרוּ לְךָ, דְּגֵי הַיָּם. 8
Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee;
and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee;
ט מִי, לֹא-יָדַע בְּכָל-אֵלֶּה: כִּי יַד-יְהוָה, עָשְׂתָה זֹּאת. 9
Who knoweth not among all these, that the hand of the the Eternal hath wrought this?
י אֲשֶׁר בְּיָדוֹ, נֶפֶשׁ כָּל-חָי; וְרוּחַ, כָּל-בְּשַׂר-אִישׁ. 10
In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.--
יא הֲלֹא-אֹזֶן, מִלִּין תִּבְחָן; וְחֵךְ, אֹכֶל יִטְעַם-לוֹ. 11
Doth not the ear try words, even as the palate tasteth its food?
יב בִּישִׁישִׁים חָכְמָה; וְאֹרֶךְ יָמִים תְּבוּנָה. 12
Is wisdom with aged men, and understanding in length of days?--
יג עִמּוֹ, חָכְמָה וּגְבוּרָה; לוֹ, עֵצָה וּתְבוּנָה. 13
With Him is wisdom and might;
He hath counsel and understanding.
יד הֵן יַהֲרוֹס, וְלֹא יִבָּנֶה; יִסְגֹּר עַל-אִישׁ, וְלֹא יִפָּתֵחַ. 14
Behold, He breaketh down, and it cannot be built again;
He shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
טו הֵן יַעְצֹר בַּמַּיִם וְיִבָשׁוּ; וִישַׁלְּחֵם, וְיַהַפְכוּ אָרֶץ. 15
Behold, He withholdeth the waters, and they dry up;
also He sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.
טז עִמּוֹ, עֹז וְתוּשִׁיָּה; לוֹ, שֹׁגֵג וּמַשְׁגֶּה. 16
With Him is strength and sound wisdom;
the deceived and the deceiver are His.
יז מוֹלִיךְ יוֹעֲצִים שׁוֹלָל; וְשֹׁפְטִים יְהוֹלֵל. 17
He leadeth counsellors away stripped, and judges maketh He fools.
יח מוּסַר מְלָכִים פִּתֵּחַ; וַיֶּאְסֹר אֵזוֹר, בְּמָתְנֵיהֶם. 18
He looseth the bond of kings, and bindeth their loins with a girdle.
יט מוֹלִיךְ כֹּהֲנִים שׁוֹלָל; וְאֵתָנִים יְסַלֵּף. 19
He leadeth priests away stripped, and overthroweth the mighty.
כ מֵסִיר שָׂפָה, לְנֶאֱמָנִים; וְטַעַם זְקֵנִים יִקָּח. 20
He removeth the speech of men of trust, and taketh away the sense of the elders.
כא שׁוֹפֵךְ בּוּז, עַל-נְדִיבִים; וּמְזִיחַ אֲפִיקִים רִפָּה. 21
He poureth contempt upon princes, and looseth the belt of the strong.
כב מְגַלֶּה עֲמֻקוֹת, מִנִּי-חֹשֶׁךְ; וַיֹּצֵא לָאוֹר צַלְמָוֶת. 22
He uncovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.
כג מַשְׂגִּיא לַגּוֹיִם, וַיְאַבְּדֵם; שֹׁטֵחַ לַגּוֹיִם, וַיַּנְחֵם. 23
He increaseth the masses, and destroyeth them;
He enlargeth the masses, and leadeth them away.
כד מֵסִיר--לֵב, רָאשֵׁי עַם-הָאָרֶץ; וַיַּתְעֵם, בְּתֹהוּ לֹא-דָרֶךְ. 24
He taketh away the heart of the chiefs of the people of the land, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
כה יְמַשְׁשׁוּ-חֹשֶׁךְ וְלֹא-אוֹר; וַיַּתְעֵם, כַּשִּׁכּוֹר. 25
They grope in the dark without light, and He maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.
Chapter 13
א הֶן-כֹּל, רָאֲתָה עֵינִי; שָׁמְעָה אָזְנִי, וַתָּבֶן לָהּ. 1
Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it.
ב כְּדַעְתְּכֶם, יָדַעְתִּי גַם-אָנִי: לֹא-נֹפֵל אָנֹכִי מִכֶּם. 2
What ye know, do I know also;
I am not inferior unto you.
ג אוּלָם--אֲנִי, אֶל-שַׁדַּי אֲדַבֵּר; וְהוֹכֵחַ אֶל-אֵל אֶחְפָּץ. 3
Notwithstanding I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with the Almighty.
ד וְאוּלָם, אַתֶּם טֹפְלֵי-שָׁקֶר; רֹפְאֵי אֱלִל כֻּלְּכֶם. 4
But ye are plasterers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.
ה מִי-יִתֵּן, הַחֲרֵשׁ תַּחֲרִישׁוּן; וּתְהִי לָכֶם לְחָכְמָה. 5
Oh that ye would altogether hold your peace!
and it would be your wisdom.
ו שִׁמְעוּ-נָא תוֹכַחְתִּי; וְרִבוֹת שְׂפָתַי הַקְשִׁיבוּ. 6
Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
ז הַלְאֵל, תְּדַבְּרוּ עַוְלָה; וְלוֹ, תְּדַבְּרוּ רְמִיָּה. 7
Will ye speak unrighteously for the Almighty, and talk deceitfully for Him?
ח הֲפָנָיו תִּשָּׂאוּן; אִם-לָאֵל תְּרִיבוּן. 8
Will ye show Him favour?
Will ye contend for the Almighty?
ט הֲטוֹב, כִּי-יַחְקֹר אֶתְכֶם; אִם-כְּהָתֵל בֶּאֱנוֹשׁ, תְּהָתֵלּוּ בוֹ. 9
Would it be good that He should search you out?
Or as one mocketh a man, will ye mock Him?
י הוֹכֵחַ יוֹכִיחַ אֶתְכֶם-- אִם-בַּסֵּתֶר, פָּנִים תִּשָּׂאוּן. 10
He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly show favour.
יא הֲלֹא שְׂאֵתוֹ, תְּבַעֵת אֶתְכֶם; וּפַחְדּוֹ, יִפֹּל עֲלֵיכֶם. 11
Shall not His majesty terrify you, and His dread fall upon you?
יב זִכְרֹנֵיכֶם, מִשְׁלֵי-אֵפֶר; לְגַבֵּי-חֹמֶר, גַּבֵּיכֶם. 12
Your memorials shall be like unto ashes, your eminences to eminences of clay.
יג הַחֲרִישׁוּ מִמֶּנִּי, וַאֲדַבְּרָה-אָנִי; וְיַעֲבֹר עָלַי מָה. 13
Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.
יד עַל-מָה, אֶשָּׂא בְשָׂרִי בְשִׁנָּי; וְנַפְשִׁי, אָשִׂים בְּכַפִּי. 14
Wherefore?
I will take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand.
טו הֵן יִקְטְלֵנִי, לא (לוֹ) אֲיַחֵל; אַךְ-דְּרָכַי, אֶל-פָּנָיו אוֹכִיחַ. 15
Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him;
but I will argue my ways before Him.
טז גַּם-הוּא-לִי לִישׁוּעָה: כִּי-לֹא לְפָנָיו, חָנֵף יָבוֹא. 16
This also shall be my yeshua, that a hypocrite cannot come before Him.
יז שִׁמְעוּ שָׁמוֹעַ, מִלָּתִי; וְאַחֲוָתִי, בְּאָזְנֵיכֶם. 17
Hear diligently my speech, and let my declaration be in your ears.
יח הִנֵּה-נָא, עָרַכְתִּי מִשְׁפָּט; יָדַעְתִּי, כִּי-אֲנִי אֶצְדָּק. 18
Behold now, I have ordered my cause;
I know that I shall be justified.
יט מִי-הוּא, יָרִיב עִמָּדִי: כִּי-עַתָּה אַחֲרִישׁ וְאֶגְוָע. 19
Who is he that will contend with me?
For then would I hold my peace and die.
כ אַךְ-שְׁתַּיִם, אַל-תַּעַשׂ עִמָּדִי; אָז מִפָּנֶיךָ, לֹא אֶסָּתֵר. 20
Only do not two things unto me, then will I not hide myself from Thee:
כא כַּפְּךָ, מֵעָלַי הַרְחַק; וְאֵמָתְךָ, אַל-תְּבַעֲתַנִּי. 21
Withdraw Thy hand far from me;
and let not Thy terror make me afraid.
כב וּקְרָא, וְאָנֹכִי אֶעֱנֶה; אוֹ-אֲדַבֵּר, וַהֲשִׁיבֵנִי. 22
Then call Thou, and I will answer;
or let me speak, and answer Thou me.
כג כַּמָּה לִי, עֲוֹנוֹת וְחַטָּאוֹת-- פִּשְׁעִי וְחַטָּאתִי, הֹדִיעֵנִי. 23
How many are mine iniquities and sins?
Make me to know my transgression and my sin.
כד לָמָּה-פָנֶיךָ תַסְתִּיר; וְתַחְשְׁבֵנִי לְאוֹיֵב לָךְ. 24
Wherefore hidest Thou Thy face, and holdest me for Thine enemy?
כה הֶעָלֶה נִדָּף תַּעֲרוֹץ; וְאֶת-קַשׁ יָבֵשׁ תִּרְדֹּף. 25
Wilt Thou harass a driven leaf?
And wilt Thou pursue the dry stubble?
כו כִּי-תִכְתֹּב עָלַי מְרֹרוֹת; וְתוֹרִישֵׁנִי, עֲוֹנוֹת נְעוּרָי. 26
That Thou shouldest write bitter things against me, and make me to inherit the iniquities of my youth.
כז וְתָשֵׂם בַּסַּד, רַגְלַי-- וְתִשְׁמוֹר כָּל-אָרְחוֹתָי;
עַל-שָׁרְשֵׁי רַגְלַי, תִּתְחַקֶּה. 27
Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths; {N}
Thou drawest Thee a line about the soles of my feet;
כח וְהוּא, כְּרָקָב יִבְלֶה; כְּבֶגֶד, אֲכָלוֹ עָשׁ. 28
Though I am like a wine-skin that consumeth, like a garment that is moth-eaten.
