Is

Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.”

Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.”

“Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “Everything he has is in your hands, but you must not lay a hand on the man himself.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. He still retains his integrity, even though you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.”

Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. He still retains his integrity, even though you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.”

“Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “He is in your hands, but you must spare his life.”

And this is what he said:

“May the day of my birth perish, and the night it was said, ‘A boy is conceived.’

Both small and great are there, and the slave is freed from his master.

Why is light given to the miserable, and life to the bitter of soul,

Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?

Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?

I sigh when food is put before me, and my groans pour out like water.

Is your reverence not your confidence, and the uprightness of your ways your hope?

Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.

Blessed indeed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

You will know that your tent is secure, and find nothing amiss when inspecting your home.

Indeed, we have investigated, and it is true! So hear it and know for yourself.”

Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg?

Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg?

What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What is my future, that I should be patient?

Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze?

Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me?

Is there any help within me now that success is driven from me?

Reconsider; do not be unjust. Reconsider, for my righteousness is at stake.

Is there iniquity on my tongue? Can my mouth not discern malice?

“Is not man consigned to labor on earth? Are not his days like those of a hired hand?

My flesh is clothed with worms and encrusted with dirt; my skin is cracked and festering.

My flesh is clothed with worms and encrusted with dirt; my skin is cracked and festering.

Remember that my life is but a breath. My eyes will never again see happiness.

As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so he who goes down to Sheol does not come back up.

What is man that You should exalt him, that You should set Your heart upon him,

Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right?

Does papyrus grow where there is no marsh? Do reeds flourish without water?

Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so the hope of the godless will perish.

His confidence is fragile; his security is in a spider’s web.

His confidence is fragile; his security is in a spider’s web.

He is a well-watered plant in the sunshine, spreading its shoots over the garden.

If he is uprooted from his place, it will disown him, saying, ‘I never saw you.’

Surely this is the joy of his way; yet others will spring from the dust.

“Yes, I know that it is so, but how can a mortal be righteous before God?

God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has resisted Him and prospered?

He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, of the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.

If it is a matter of strength, He is indeed mighty! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him?

If it is a matter of strength, He is indeed mighty! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him?

If it is a matter of strength, He is indeed mighty! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him?

It is all the same, and so I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’

The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He blindfolds its judges. If it is not He, then who is it?

The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He blindfolds its judges. If it is not He, then who is it?

The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He blindfolds its judges. If it is not He, then who is it?

For He is not a man like me, that I can answer Him, that we can take each other to court.

Nor is there a mediator between us, to lay his hand upon us both.

Then I would speak without fear of Him. But as it is, I am on my own.

…though You know that I am not guilty, and there is no deliverance from Your hand?

…to a land of utter darkness, of deep shadow and disorder, where even the light is like darkness.”

You have said, ‘My doctrine is sound, and I am pure in Your sight.’

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

You will be secure, because there is hope, and you will look around and lie down in safety.

I am a laughingstock to my friends, though I called on God, and He answered. The righteous and upright man is a laughingstock.

The life of every living thing is in His hand, as well as the breath of all mankind.

Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life.

“Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble.

“Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble.

Since his days are determined and the number of his months is with You, and since You have set limits that he cannot exceed,

For there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its tender shoots will not fail.

For there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its tender shoots will not fail.

But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last, and where is he?

But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last, and where is he?

But as a mountain erodes and crumbles and a rock is dislodged from its place,

If his sons receive honor, he does not know it; if they are brought low, he is unaware.

What do you know that we do not? What do you understand that is not clear to us?

What is man, that he should be pure, or one born of woman, that he should be righteous?

…how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks injustice like water?

He despairs of his return from darkness; he is marked for the sword.

He wanders about as food for vultures; he knows the day of darkness is at hand.

Though his face is covered with fat and his waistline bulges with flesh,

They conceive trouble and give birth to evil; their womb is pregnant with deceit.”

Is there no end to your long-winded speeches? What provokes you to continue testifying?

Even if I speak, my pain is not relieved, and if I hold back, how will it go away?

My face is red with weeping, and deep shadows ring my eyes;

…yet my hands are free of violence and my prayer is pure.

Even now my witness is in heaven, and my advocate is on high.

Even now my witness is in heaven, and my advocate is on high.

“My spirit is broken; my days are extinguished; the grave awaits me.

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

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

Indeed, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished; the flame of his fire does not glow.

His vigorous stride is shortened, and his own schemes trip him up.

A noose is hidden in the ground, and a trap lies in his path.

His strength is depleted, and calamity is ready at his side.

His strength is depleted, and calamity is ready at his side.

He is torn from the shelter of his tent and is marched off to the king of terrors.

He is torn from the shelter of his tent and is marched off to the king of terrors.

He is driven from light into darkness and is chased from the inhabited world.

He is driven from light into darkness and is chased from the inhabited world.

Surely such is the dwelling of the wicked and the place of one who does not know God.”

…then understand that it is God who has wronged me and drawn His net around me.

Though I cry out, ‘Violence!’ I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice.

My breath is repulsive to my wife, and I am loathsome to my own family.

…then you should fear the sword yourselves, because wrath brings punishment by the sword, so that you may know there is a judgment.”