Then

Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief.

Then King Xerxes spoke up and asked Queen Esther, “Who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme?”

Then Harbonah, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said: “There is a gallows fifty cubits high at Haman’s house. He had it built for Mordecai, who gave the report that saved the king.” “Hang him on it!” declared the king.

So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the fury of the king subsided.

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 Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,

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 Job’s wife said to him, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!”

Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights, but no one spoke a word to him because they saw how intense his suffering was.

Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

Then a spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body bristled.

Then Job replied:

For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas—no wonder my words have been rash.

…then You frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions,

Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:

Then Job answered:

How then can I answer Him or choose my arguments against Him?

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

…then You would plunge me into the pit, and even my own clothes would despise me.

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

Why then did You bring me from the womb? Oh, that I had died, and no eye had seen me!

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

…and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves.

…then indeed you will lift up your face without blemish; you will stand firm and unafraid.

Then Job answered:

“Truly then you are the people with whom wisdom itself will die!

He makes nations great and destroys them; He enlarges nations, then disperses them.

Be silent, and I will speak. Then let come to me what may.

Then call me, and I will answer, or let me speak, and You can reply.

Like a flower, he comes forth, then withers away; like a fleeting shadow, he does not endure.

If only You would hide me in Sheol and conceal me until Your anger has passed! If only You would appoint a time for me and then remember me!

For then You would count my steps, but would not keep track of my sin.

Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

Then Job answered:

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

Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:

“How long until you end these speeches? Show some sense, and then we can talk.

Then Job answered:

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

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

Then Zophar the Naamathite replied:

Then Job answered:

Bear with me while I speak; then, after I have spoken, you may go on mocking.

Is my complaint against a man? Then why should I not be impatient?

Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied:

…then the Almighty will be your gold and the finest silver for you.

Surely then you will delight in the Almighty and lift up your face to God.

When men are brought low and you say, ‘Lift them up!’ then He will save the lowly.

Then Job answered:

Then an upright man could reason with Him, and I would be delivered forever from my Judge.

Then there are those who rebel against the light, not knowing its ways or staying on its paths.

They are exalted for a moment, then they are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like heads of grain.

If this is not so, then who can prove me a liar and reduce my words to nothing?”

Then Bildad the Shuhite replied:

How then can a man be just before God? How can one born of woman be pure?

Then Job answered:

Indeed, these are but the fringes of His ways; how faint is the whisper we hear of Him! Who then can understand the thunder of His power?”

Surely all of you have seen it for yourselves. Why then do you keep up this empty talk?

From where, then, does wisdom come, and where does understanding dwell?

…then He looked at wisdom and appraised it; He established it and searched it out.

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

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

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

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

…then let briers grow instead of wheat and stinkweed instead of barley.” Thus conclude the words of Job.

…then his flesh is refreshed like a child’s; he returns to the days of his youth.

Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.

But if not, then listen to me; be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.”

Then Elihu continued:

How much less, then, when you say that you do not see Him, that your case is before Him and you must wait for Him,

…then He tells them their deeds and how arrogantly they have transgressed.

If they obey and serve Him, then they end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness.

But if they do not obey, then they perish by the sword and die without knowledge.

Then there comes a roaring sound; He thunders with His majestic voice. He does not restrain the lightning when His voice resounds.

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

Then Job answered the LORD:

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and clothe yourself with honor and glory.

Then I will confess to you that your own right hand can save you.

No one is so fierce as to rouse Leviathan. Then who is able to stand against Me?

Then Job replied to the LORD:

So now, take seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. Then My servant Job will pray for you, for I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken accurately about Me, as My servant Job has.”

Then He rebukes them in His anger, and terrifies them in His fury:

…then may my enemy pursue me and overtake me; may he trample me to the ground and leave my honor in the dust. Selah

For the choirmaster. Of David. In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain!

Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled; they were shaken because He burned with anger.

Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed of great transgression.

Then my head will be held high above my enemies around me. At His tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and exult in His salvation.

Then I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people.

Then my tongue will proclaim Your righteousness and Your praises all day long.

My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:

Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll:

Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy. I will praise You with the harp, O God, my God.

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will return to You.

Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, in whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.

Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, in whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.

Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know that God is on my side.