My

May my enemy be like the wicked and my opponent like the unjust.

May my enemy be like the wicked and my opponent like the unjust.

…when His lamp shone above my head, and by His light I walked through the darkness,

…when I was in my prime, when the friendship of God rested on my tent,

…when I was in my prime, when the friendship of God rested on my tent,

…when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me,

…when my steps were bathed in cream and the rock poured out for me streams of oil!

When I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the public square,

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and my turban.

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and my turban.

So I thought: ‘I will die in my nest and multiply my days as the sand.

So I thought: ‘I will die in my nest and multiply my days as the sand.

My roots will spread out to the waters, and the dew will rest nightly on my branches.

My roots will spread out to the waters, and the dew will rest nightly on my branches.

My glory is ever new within me, and my bow is renewed in my hand.’

My glory is ever new within me, and my bow is renewed in my hand.’

My glory is ever new within me, and my bow is renewed in my hand.’

Men listened to me with expectation, waiting silently for my counsel.

After my words, they spoke no more; my speech settled on them like dew.

After my words, they spoke no more; my speech settled on them like dew.

They waited for me as for rain and drank in my words like spring showers.

If I smiled at them, they did not believe it; the light of my countenance was precious.

“But now they mock me, men younger than I am, whose fathers I would have refused to put with my sheep dogs.

They abhor me and keep far from me; they do not hesitate to spit in my face.

Because God has unstrung my bow and afflicted me, they have cast off restraint in my presence.

Because God has unstrung my bow and afflicted me, they have cast off restraint in my presence.

The rabble arises at my right; they lay snares for my feet and build siege ramps against me.

The rabble arises at my right; they lay snares for my feet and build siege ramps against me.

They tear up my path; they profit from my destruction, with no one to restrain them.

They tear up my path; they profit from my destruction, with no one to restrain them.

Terrors are turned loose against me; they drive away my dignity as by the wind, and my prosperity has passed like a cloud.

Terrors are turned loose against me; they drive away my dignity as by the wind, and my prosperity has passed like a cloud.

And now my soul is poured out within me; days of affliction grip me.

Night pierces my bones, and my gnawing pains never rest.

Night pierces my bones, and my gnawing pains never rest.

With great force He grasps my garment; He seizes me by the collar of my tunic.

With great force He grasps my garment; He seizes me by the collar of my tunic.

Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has my soul not grieved for the needy?

My skin grows black and peels, and my bones burn with fever.

My skin grows black and peels, and my bones burn with fever.

My harp is tuned to mourning and my flute to the sound of weeping.

My harp is tuned to mourning and my flute to the sound of weeping.

“I have made a covenant with my eyes. How then could I gaze with desire at a virgin?

Does He not see my ways and count my every step?

Does He not see my ways and count my every step?

If I have walked in falsehood or my foot has rushed to deceit,

…let God weigh me with honest scales, that He may know my integrity.

If my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has followed my eyes, or if impurity has stuck to my hands,

If my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has followed my eyes, or if impurity has stuck to my hands,

If my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has followed my eyes, or if impurity has stuck to my hands,

If my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has followed my eyes, or if impurity has stuck to my hands,

…then may another eat what I have sown, and may my crops be uprooted.

If my heart has been enticed by my neighbor’s wife, or I have lurked at his door,

If my heart has been enticed by my neighbor’s wife, or I have lurked at his door,

…then may my own wife grind grain for another, and may other men sleep with her.

For it is a fire that burns down to Abaddon; it would root out my entire harvest.

If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or maidservant when they made a complaint against me,

…if I have eaten my morsel alone, not sharing it with the fatherless—

…though from my youth I reared him as would a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow—

…though from my youth I reared him as would a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow—

…if his heart has not blessed me for warming him with the fleece of my sheep,

…if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless because I saw that I had support in the gate,

…then may my arm fall from my shoulder and be torn from its socket.

…then may my arm fall from my shoulder and be torn from its socket.

If I have put my trust in gold or called pure gold my security,

If I have put my trust in gold or called pure gold my security,

…if I have rejoiced in my great wealth because my hand had gained so much,

…if I have rejoiced in my great wealth because my hand had gained so much,

…so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand threw a kiss from my mouth,

…so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand threw a kiss from my mouth,

…so that my heart was secretly enticed and my hand threw a kiss from my mouth,

If I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin, or exulted when evil befell him—

I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse—

…if the men of my house have not said, ‘Who is there who has not had his fill?’—

…but no stranger had to lodge on the street, for my door has been open to the traveler—

…if I have covered my transgressions like Adam by hiding my guilt in my heart,

…if I have covered my transgressions like Adam by hiding my guilt in my heart,

…if I have covered my transgressions like Adam by hiding my guilt in my heart,

(Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my signature. Let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser compose an indictment.

(Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my signature. Let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser compose an indictment.

Surely I would carry it on my shoulder and wear it like a crown.

I would give account of all my steps; I would approach Him like a prince.)—

…if my land cries out against me and its furrows weep together,

For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me.

Behold, my belly is like unvented wine; it is about to burst like a new wineskin.

I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond.

For I do not know how to flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant.

“But now, O Job, hear my speech, and listen to all my words.

“But now, O Job, hear my speech, and listen to all my words.

Behold, I will open my mouth; my address is on the tip of my tongue.

Behold, I will open my mouth; my address is on the tip of my tongue.

Behold, I will open my mouth; my address is on the tip of my tongue.

My words are from an upright heart, and my lips speak sincerely what I know.

My words are from an upright heart, and my lips speak sincerely what I know.

Surely no fear of me should terrify you; nor will my hand be heavy upon you.

Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard these very words:

He puts my feet in the stocks; He watches over all my paths.’

He puts my feet in the stocks; He watches over all my paths.’

He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and I will live to see the light.’

“Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning.