Now there came a certain day, when the sons of God entered in to present themselves unto Yahweh, - so the accuser also entered, in their midst.

But, I, know that, my redeemer, liveth, and, as the Last over my dust, will he arise;

A man, there was - in the land of Uz, Job, his name, - and that man was blameless and upright, and one who revered God, and avoided evil.

and said - Naked came I forth from the womb of my mother, and naked must I return thither, Yahweh, gave, and, Yahweh, hath taken away, - The name of Yahweh be blessed!

Where wast thou, when I founded the earth? Tell, if thou knowest understanding!

Who stretcheth out the north over emptiness, hangeth the earth upon nothingness;

Then Yahweh responded to Job, out of a storm, and said: -

But, in very deed, put forth, I pray thee, thy hand, and smite all that he hath, - verily, unto thy face, will he curse thee.

Hast not, thou thyself, made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? The work of his hands, thou hast blessed, and, his substance, hath broken forth in the land.

When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.

And said to the son of earth, Lo! the reverence of the Lord, that, is wisdom, and, to avoid evil, is understanding.

And there came a certain day, - when his sons and his daughters were eating, and drinking wine, in the house of their eldest brother.

The spirit of GOD, hath made me, and, the inspiration of the Almighty, giveth me life.

For sorrow, cometh not forth out of the dust, - nor, out of the ground, sprouteth trouble.

A covenant, I solemnised for mine eyes, - How then could I gaze upon a virgin?

And, a messenger, came in unto Job, and said, - The oxen, were plowing, and, the asses, feeding beside them;

Man that is born of a woman, is of few days, and full of trouble:

Lo! he may slay me, yet , for him, will I wait, - Nevertheless, my ways - unto his face, will I show to be right:

Behold, I pray thee, the Hippopotamus, which I made with thee, Grass - like the ox, he eateth;

Who prepareth for the Raven his nourishment, - when his young ones - unto GOD - cry out, when they wander for lack of food?

By his spirit, hath he arched the heavens, His hand hath pierced the fleeing serpent.

Then Job arose, and rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell to the earth and worshipped;

And Yahweh said unto the accuser, Hast thou applied thy heart unto my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a man blameless and upright, one revering God and avoiding evil?

when the Sabeans swooped down, and took them, and, the young men, smote they with the edge of the sword, - and escaped am, only I alone, too tell thee.

Yet was this one speaking, when, another, came in and said, - Thy sons and thy daughters, were eating, and drinking wine, in the house of their eldest brother;

Yet was this one speaking, when, another, came in and said, The Chaldeans, appointed three chiefs, and spread out against the camels, and took them, and, the young men, smote they with the edge of the sword; and escaped am, only I alone, to tell thee.

Who doeth great things, past finding out, and marvels, beyond number.

By the hearing of the ear, had I heard thee, but, now, mine own eye, hath seen thee.

But, he, knoweth the way that I choose, Having tried me, as gold, I shall come forth.

That day, be it darkness, - Let not God enquire after it from above, May there shine upon it no clear beam:

Yet was this one speaking, when, another, came in and said, - A fire of God, fell out of the heavens, and burned up the sheep and the young men, and consumed them; and escaped am, only I alone, to tell thee.

I know that, all things, thou canst do, and that no purpose can be withholden from thee.

In all this, Job sinned not, nor imputed folly unto God.

when lo! a great wind, came from over the desert, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they died, - and escaped am, only I alone, to tell thee.

But, now, it cometh upon thee, and thou despairest, It smiteth even thee, and thou art dismayed.

Thou shouldst call, and, I, would answer thee, - For the work of thine own hand, thou shouldst long.

Lo! he cometh upon me, yet can I not see him, Yea he passeth on, yet can I not discern him.

But, an empty person, will get sense, when, a wild ass's colt, is born a man!

Nor shall see me - the eye that used to behold me, Thine eyes, are upon me, and I am not.

Unto my skin and unto my flesh, have my bones cleaved, and I have escaped with the akin of my teeth.

With Him, are wisdom and strength, to Him, pertain counsel and understanding.

In any case, I will take up my flesh in my teeth, and, my life, will I put in my hand:

Let darkness and death-shade buy it back, May there settle down upon it a cloud, Let a day's dark eclipse cause it terror:

For, of yesterday, are, we, and cannot know, for, a shadow, are our days upon earth:

My soul hath refused to touch, Those things, are like disease in my food.

With skin and flesh, clothe me? and, with bones and sinews, interweave me?

How much less when one is detested and corrupt, a man who drinketh in - like water - perversity.

Is it, to GOD, one can teach knowledge, seeing that, he, shall judge, them who are on high?

If, thou, hast prepared thy heart, and wilt spread forth, unto him, thy hands -

Then the accuser answered Yahweh, and said, Skin for skin, and so, all that a man hath, will he give for his life.

For, now, my steps, thou countest, Thou wilt not pass over my sin:

Outside, the sojourner lodged not for the night, My doors - to the wayfarer, I threw open.

Nothing escaped his devouring greed, - For this cause, shall his prosperity not continue:

If thou return unto the Almighty and submit thyself, if thou far remove perversity from thy tent,

Shall, they, not teach thee - tell thee, and, out of their memory, bring forth words?

Lo! He pulleth down, and it cannot be built, He closeth up over a man, and it cannot be opened:

Life and lovingkindness, thou didst bestow upon me, - and, thy watchful care, preserved my breath.

That it would please GOD to crush me, That he would set free his hand, and cut me off!

Is not, thy reverence, thy confidence? And is not, thy hope, the very integrity of thy ways?

This, man dieth, in the very perfection of his prosperity, wholly tranquil and secure;

Lo! he snatcheth away, who can bring it back? Who shall say unto him, What wouldst thou do?

Oh that my request would come! and, my hope, oh that GOD would grant!

Let him have neither scion nor seed among his people, neither any survivor in his place of sojourn:

Then lay up, in the dust, precious ore, and, among the stones of the torrent-beds, fine gold:

I will tell thee - hear me, Since this I have seen, I must needs declare it.

Though no violence was in my hands, and, my prayer, was pure.

Who giveth rain, upon the face of the earth, and sendeth forth waters, over the face of the open fields;

Thus is attuned to mourning - my lyre, and my flute, to the noise of them who weep.

In very deed, put forth, I pray thee thy hand, and smite unto his bone, and unto his flesh, - verily, unto thy face, will he curse thee.

Who doeth great things, beyond all search, - Wondrous things, till they cannot be recounted;

Pity me! pity me! ye, my friends, for, the hand of GOD, hath stricken me!

Even he, will be on my side - unto salvation, For, not before his face, shall any impious person come.

And Yahweh said unto the accuser, Behold him! in thy hand, - only, his life, preserve thou!

Surely, then, shalt thou lift up thy face free from blemish, and shalt be established, and not fear.

He shall not return again to his house, and his own place shall be acquainted with him no more.

If, iniquity, be in thy hand, Put it far away, and let there not dwell in thy tents perversity,

But, if not, who then can convict me of falsehood? or make of no account my words?

Who leadeth away counsellors as a spoil, and, judges, He befooleth:

Wherefore should ye persecute me as GOD? and, with my flesh, should not he satisfied?

Am, I, a sea, or a sea-monster, - That thou shouldst set over me a watch?

That night, darkness take it, - May it not rejoice among the days of the year, Into the number of months, let it not enter.

With Him, is strength and effective wisdom, to Him, belong he that erreth, and he that causeth to err.

O earth! do not cover my blood, and let there be no place for mine outcry.

So far as I have seen, They who plow for iniquity and sow misery, reap the same:

Remember, I pray thee, who, being innocent, hath perished, or when, the upright, have been cut off.

When they settle down in dens, abide in covert, for lying in wait?

If I covered, like Adam, my transgressions, by hiding in my bosom mine iniquity,

Setting the lowly on high, and, mourners, are uplifted to safety;

For, now, shalt thou forget, sorrow, Like waters passed away, shalt thou remember it.

If I have sinned, then couldst thou watch me, and, from mine iniquity, thou wouldst not acquit me:

Sealed up in a bag, is my transgression, and thou hast glued over mine iniquity.

When his abundance is gone, he shall be in straits, All the power of distress, shall come upon him.

Lo! I pray you, I have set forth in order a plea, I know that, I, shall be found right.

Lo! He holdeth back the waters, and they dry up, or sendeth them out, and they transform the earth:

Above high noon, shall rise life's continuance, Darkness, like a morning, shall appear,

But, the eyes of the lawless, shall fail, - and, place of refuge, shall have vanished from them, and, their hope, be a breathing out of life.

Over his day, have they been astounded who come behind, and, them who are in advance, a shudder hath seized.

Laying open deep things, out of darkness, and bringing out to light, the death-shade:

Who leadeth away priests as a spoil, and, men firmly seated, He overturneth:

The despairing, from his friend, should have lovingkindness, or, the reverence of the Almighty, he may forsake.

But, in very deed, a mountain falling, will lie prostrate, or, a rock moved out of its place:

Thou renewest thy witnesses before me, and dost increase thy vexation with me, Relays - yea an army, is with me.

So, shall be the latter end of all who forget GOD, and, the hope of the impious, shall perish:

Though while still, in its freshness, it be not plucked off, yet, before any kind of grass, it doth wither:

Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, to be absolved, I would make supplication.

The fetters of kings, He looseth, or hath bound a slave's waistcloth about their loins:

Let day-cursers denounce it, Those skilled in rousing the dragon of the sky:

And thou shalt he confident, that there is hope, and, when thou hast searched, securely shalt thou lie down;

As for GOD, if he withdraw not his anger, under him, will have submitted themselves - the proud helpers.

Whose trust shall be contemptible, - and, a spider's web, his confidence:

Pouring contempt upon nobles, and, the girdle of the mighty, hath He loosed:

Darkened be the stars of its twilight, - Let it wait for light, and there be none, neither let it see the eyelashes of the dawn:

And shalt rest, with none to put thee in terror, - and many shall entreat thy favour.

Before I go, and not return, unto a land of darkness and death-shade:

Lo! that night, be it barren, Let no joyous shouting enter therein:

I also, cannot restrain my mouth, - I must speak, in the anguish of my spirit, I must find utterance, in the bitterness of my soul.

When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall help to carry my complaint,

Setting aside the speech of the trusty, and, the discernment of elders, He taketh away:

His veins, are filled with nourishment, and, the marrow of his bones, is fresh;

Yet, these things, thou didst hide in thy heart, I know that, this, hath been with thee!

For, with a tempest, would he fall upon me, and would multiply my wounds without need;

He leaneth upon his house, and it will not stand, he holdeth it fast, and it will not remain erect.

Are not my days, few? - then forbear, and set me aside, that I may brighten up for a little;

Wherefore then, from the womb, didst thou bring me forth? I might have breathed my last, and, no eye, have seen me.

They grope about in the dark, having no light, and He hath made them to reel, like a drunken man.

Full of moisture he is, before the sun, and, over his garden, his shoot goeth forth:

Can the paper-reed grow up, without a marsh? Or the rush grow up, without water?

If I should justify myself, mine own mouth, would condemn me, - I blameless? then had it shewn me perverse.

Who taketh away the sense of the chiefs of the people of the earth, and hath caused them to wander in a pathless waste:

Though I had called, and he had answered me, I could not believe, that he would lend an ear to my voice.

Hear ye patiently my speech, and be my declaration in your ears.

And he took him a potsherd, to scrape himself therewith; he being seated in the midst of ashes.

Would that Job might be tested to the uttermost, for replying with the men of iniquity:

How much less that, I, should answer him, should choose my words with him?

Surely, these, are the dwellings of him that is perverse, and, this, is the place of him that knoweth not GOD.

If it regardeth vigour, bold is he! If justice, who could summon him?

Wherefore, in the womb, did I not die? From the womb, come forth and cease to breathe?

Is there any help at all in me? Is not, abiding success, driven from me?

Who doth frustrate the schemes of the crafty, that their hands cannot achieve abiding success;

The caravans of Tema looked about, the travelling companies of Sheba, hoped for them:

And why wilt thou not remove my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? For, now, in the dust, should I lie down, and thou shouldst seek me diligently, and I should not be.

So might it still be my comfort, And I might exult in the anguish he would not spare, - That I had not concealed the sayings of the Holy One.

Because it closed not the doors of the womb wherein I was, and so hid trouble from mine eyes.

If one destroy him out of his place, then will it disown him saying - I have not seen thee.

If I have been lawless, alas for me! Or, if I am righteous, I will not lift up my head, Surfeited with shame, look thou then on my humiliation.

A noise of dreadful things, is in his ears, In prosperity, the destroyer cometh upon him;

His sons, come to honour, and he knoweth it not, Or they are brought low, and he perceiveth it not of them.

For what reason, were there prepared for me - knees? and why - breasts, that I might suck?

I blameless? I should not know my own soul, I should despise my own life!

But he saveth from the sword, out of their mouth, and, out of the hand of the strong, the needy.

And, when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept - and rent, every one his robe, and sprinkled dust upon their heads, toward the heavens.

For, then, in the Almighty, shalt thou take exquisite delight, and shalt lift up - unto GOD - thy face;

That, with a stylus of iron and with lead, for all time - in the rock, they could be graven!

Who captureth the wise in their own craftiness, yea the headlong counsel of the crooked:

My days, therefore, are swifter than a runner, They have fled, they have seen no good.

By day, they encounter darkness, and, as though it were night, they grope at high noon.

Or that, like an untimely birth hidden away, I had not come into being, like infants that never saw light:

That one might plead, for a man, with GOD, - Even a son of man, for his friend!

What is my strength, that I should hope? Or what mine end, that I should prolong my desire?

Every misfortune, is laid up for his treasures, - There shall consume, a fire, not blown up, - it shall destroy what remaineth in his tent:

Surely, at once, had I lain down, and been quiet, I had fallen asleep, then, had I been at rest:

A wanderer, he, for bread, saying Where is it ? He knoweth that, prepared by his own hand, is the day of darkness;

By the blast of GOD, they perish, And, by the breath of his nostrils, are they consumed:

There, the lawless, cease from raging, and there the toil-worn are at rest:

Which, wise men, tell, and deny not that which is from their fathers.

With kings, and counselors of the earth, who had built them pyramids:

When, a few years, come, then, by a path by which I shall not return, shall I depart.

Then thou scarest me with dreams, and, by visions, dost thou terrify me:

And they sat with him upon the ground, seven days and seven nights, - and none was speaking unto him a word, for they saw that, exceeding great, was the stinging pain.

How many are mine iniquities and sins? My transgression and my sin, let me know!

Thus to the poor hath come hope, and, perversity, hath shut her mouth.

And Yahweh said unto the accuser, Whence comest thou? And the accuser answered Yahweh, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from wandering about therein.

My soul doth loathe my life, - I let loose my complaint, I speak, in the bitterness of my soul.

That, to the day of calamity, is the wicked reserved, to the day of indignant visitation, are they led.

In the Ancient, is wisdom, and in Length of Days, understanding:

Of a truth, ye, are the people, and, with you, wisdom, will die.

Who giveth greatness to nations, or destroyeth them, Who spreadeth out nations, or leadeth them into exile:

Thy hand - from off me, take thou far away, and, thy terror, let it not startle me!

Perish, the day wherein I was born, and the night it was said, Lo! a manchild!

Wherefore give, to the wretched, light? Or, life, to the embittered in soul? -

Who can declare - to his face - his way? And, what, he, hath done, who shall recompense to him?

A land of obscurity, like thick darkness, of death-shade and disorder, and which shineth like thick darkness.

Only, two things, do thou not with me, then, from thy face, will I not hide me: -

Whom, I myself, shall see, on my side, and, mine own eyes, shall have looked upon, and not those of a stranger. Exhausted are my deepest desires in my bosom!

Who is it that shall contend with me? For, now, if I should hold my peace, why! I should breathe my last!

But, his flesh, for himself, is in pain, and, his soul, for himself, doth mourn.

Then responded Zophar the Naamathite, and said: -

He shall deliver the innocent, and thou shalt escape by the pureness of thy hands.

Distress and anguish shall startle him, It shall overpower him, like a king ready for the onset:

I am wasted away, Not, to times age-abiding, can I live, Let me alone, for, a breath, are my days.

So that my soul chooseth strangling, Death, rather than these my bones!

What is a mortal, that thou shouldst nurture him? Or that thou shouldst fix upon him thy mind?

Then call thou, and, I, will answer, Or I will speak, and reply thou unto me.

For, he, woundeth that he may bind up, He smiteth through, that, his own hands, may heal.

The heights of the heavens, what canst thou do? Depths deeper than hades, what canst thou know?

Surely ye should say - Why should we persecute him? seeing, the root of the matter, is found in me.

Is my strength, the strength of stones? Or is, my flesh, of bronze?

To them alone, was the earth given, and no alien passed through their midst:

That he would declare to thee the secrets of wisdom, for they are double to that which actually is, - -Know then that GOD could bring into forgetfulness for thee, a portion of thine iniquity.

A laughing-stock to one's neighbour, do I become, one who hath called upon GOD and he hath answered him! A laughing-stock - a righteous man without blame!

At destruction and at hunger, shalt thou laugh, and, of the wild beast of the earth, be not thou afraid;

Call, I pray thee - is there one to answer thee? Or, to which of the holy ones, wilt thou turn?

For, to the foolish man, death is caused by vexation, and, the simple one, is slain by jealousy.

For thou writest, against me, bitter things, and dost make me inherit the iniquities of my youth;

And, a man himself, as a rotten thing, weareth out, as a garment which the moth hath eaten.

During the scourge of the tongue, shalt thou be hid, neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh;

Yet, he, to the graves, is borne, and, over the tomb, one keepeth watch;

It shall be that, to fill his belly, he will thrust at him the glow of his anger, and rain it upon him for his punishment.

Even now, lo! in the heavens, is my witness,

And had inhabited demolished cities, houses, wherein men would not dwell, that were destined to become heaps.

He shall wrong - like a vine - his sour grapes, and shall cast off - as an olive-tree - his blossom.

Shall, thy pratings, cause men to hold their peace? When thou hast mocked, shall there be none to put thee to shame?

Who knoweth not, among all these, that, the hand of Yahweh, hath done this?

Should, the multitude of words, not be answered? Or should, a man full of talk, be justified?

I say unto GOD, Do not hold me guilty, Let me know, on what account thou contendest with me!

The number of my footsteps, I would declare to him, Like a noble, would I draw near to him.

I have sinned, What can I do for thee, thou watcher of men? Wherefore hast thou set me as thine object of attack, or have I become, unto thee, a burden?

I was not careless, nor was I secure, nor had I settled down, - when there came - consternation!

So then Job began, and said:

Small and great, there, they are, and, the slave, is free from his master.

He used to run against him with uplifted neck, with the stout bosses of his bucklers;

A driven leaf, wilt thou cause to tremble? Or, dry stubble, wilt thou pursue?

Or with rulers possessing, gold, - Who had filled their houses with silver:

Notwithstanding the roaring of the lion, and the noise of the howling lion, yet, the teeth of the fierce lions, are broken:

At once are prisoners at peace, they hear not the voice of a driver:

Since thou hast said, Right is my doctrine, and pure am I in his eyes.

For, he, knoweth men of falsity, and seeth iniquity, and him that doth not diligently consider.

For, with the stones of the field, shall be thy covenant, and, the wild beast of the field, hath been made thy friend;

To a man, whose way is concealed, And GOD hath straitly enclosed him?

Doth not, the ear, try, words? even as, the palate, tasteth for itself, food?

As though I had not been, should I have become, - from the womb to the grave, might I have been borne.

And thou dost put - in the stocks - my feet, and observest all my paths, Against the roots of my feet, thou dost cut out a bound;

Then responded Bildad the Shuhite, and said: -

Mine own brethren, have proved treacherous like a torrent, like a channel of torrents which disappear:

If, against me, my ground used to cry out, and, together, my ridges did weep;

How then should ye comfort me with vanity, since, as for your replies, there lurketh, in them treachery?

Wherefore, thy face, shouldst thou hide? Or count me, as an enemy to thee?

Lo! that, is the joy of his way, - and, out of the dust, shall others spring up.

And thou shalt know that, at peace, is thy tent, and shalt visit thy fold, and miss nothing;

Didst thou not, like milk, pour me forth? and, as cheese, curdle me?

If he sweep on, or shut up, or call together, Who then shall hinder him?

Remember, I pray thee, that, as clay, thou didst make me, and, unto dust, thou wilt cause me to return.

At peace are the tents that belong to the spoilers, and there is security to them who provoke GOD, To him who bringeth a god in his hand.

But, in very deed, oh that GOD would speak, that he would open his lips with thee:

He shall not be rich, nor shall his substance continue, neither shall their shadow stretch along on the earth;

How long wilt thou not look away from me? Wilt thou not let me alone, till I can swallow my spittle?

For he had covered his face with his fatness, and had gathered a superabundance on his loins;

At length he shall fill with laughter thy mouth, and thy lips, with a shout of triumph:

I also, have a mind like you, I, fall not short, of you, But who hath not such things as these?

Conceiving mischief, and bringing forth iniquity, yea, their inmost soul, prepareth deceit.

The increase of his house shall vanish, melting away in the day of his anger.

Who long for death, and it is not, And have digged for it, beyond hid treasures:

Whereas, this other man, dieth, in bitterness of soul, and hath never tasted good fortune:

He would not suffer me to recover my breath, for he would surfeit me with bitter things.

Then let me be made to tremble at a great throng, yea let, the contempt of families, terrify me, so that, keeping silence, I shall not go out of the door!

For ruin, there is contempt, in the thought of the man at ease, - ready, for such as are of faltering foot!

Who rejoice unto exultation, Are glad, when they can find the grave:

They who hate thee, shall be clothed with shame, but, the tent of the lawless, shall not be!

Longer than the earth, is the measure thereof, and broader than the sea.

Is it seemly in thee, that thou shouldst oppress? that thou shouldst despise the labour of thine own hand, when, upon the counsel of the lawless, thou hast shone?

In famine, he will ransom thee from death, and in battle from the power of the sword;

When there were thoughts, from visions of the night, - When deep sleep falleth upon men,

Lo! GOD, will not reject a blameless man, neither will he grasp the hand of evil-doers:

Though it is, within thine own knowledge, that I would not be lawless, and, none, out of thy hand, can deliver?

Of a truth, I know that so it is, But how can a mortal be just with GOD?

Thou shalt come, yet robust, to the grave, as a stack of sheaves mounteth up in its season.

Can that which hath no savour be eaten without salt? Or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

Eyes of flesh, hast thou? or, as a mortal seeth, seest thou?

For, in the face of my food, my sighing, cometh in, and, poured out like the water, are my groans:

Whose harvest, the hungry, eateth up, and, even out of thorn hedges, he taketh it, and the snare gapeth for their substance.

For, the arrows of the Almighty, are in me, The heat whereof, my spirit is drinking up, The, terrors of GOD, array themselves against me.

As the days of a mortal, are thy days? or, thy years, as the days of a man?

That thou shouldst seek for mine iniquity, and, for my sin, shouldst make search:

The strong lion perishing for lack of prey, Even the whelps of the lioness, are scattered.

All the days of the lawless man, he, doth writhe with pain, and, the number of years, is hidden from the tyrant;

For inquire, I pray thee, of a former generation, and prepare thyself for the research of their fathers; -

So shall thy beginning appear small, - when, thy latter end, he shall greatly increase!

And thou shalt know, that numerous is thy seed, and, thine offspring, like the young shoots of the field.

Then responded Job, and said -

Then responded Job, and said: -

Remember thou, that, a wind, is my life, not again shall mine eye see blessing:

I, have seen the foolish taking root, and then hath his home decayed, in a moment:

Over a heap, his roots are entwined, a place of stones, he descrieth;

Show me, and, I, will hold my peace, And, wherein I have erred, cause me to understand.

Dread, came upon me, and trembling, The multitude of my bones, it put in dread:

Yet, if, thou thyself, wilt diligently seek unto GOD, - and, unto the Almighty, wilt make supplication;

My days, are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and they are spent, without hope.

Which darken by reason of the cold, over them, is a covering made by the snow:

Lo! as for this, we have searched it out - so, it is, Hear it, and know, thou, for thyself.

Who shaketh the earth, out of its place, and, the pillars thereof, shudder;

The earth, hath been given into the hand of a lawless one, The faces of her judges, he covereth, If not, then who is it?

His children are far removed from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, and there is none to deliver:

So, have I been made to inherit months of calamity, and, nights of weariness, have been appointed me.

Who commandeth the sun, and it breaketh not forth, and, about the stars, he putteth a seal;

Wise in heart, and alert in vigour, What man hath hardened himself against him, and prospered!

How long wilt thou speak these things? Or, as a mighty wind, shall be the sayings of thy mouth?

For, now, ye have come to him, ye see something fearful, and fear.

Should, GOD, pervert justice? Or, the Almighty, pervert righteousness?

Then responded Eliphaz the Temanite, and said: -

Stones, have been hollowed out by waters, the floods thereof wash away the dust of the earth, and, the hope of mortal man, thou hast destroyed:

Job, without knowledge, doth speak, and, his words, are not with discretion.

Is it that I said, Make me a gift, or, out of your abundance, offer a bribe on my behalf;

That thou shouldst inspect him morning by morning, moment by moment, shouldst test him?

As soon as I lie down, I say, When shall I arise? yet he lengtheneth out the evening, and I am wearied with tossings until the breeze of twilight.

Thou dost overpower him utterly, and he departeth, Disfiguring his face, so, hast thou sent him away.

Who removeth mountains, unawares, Who overturneth them in his anger;

Doth the wild ass bray over grass? Or loweth the ox over his fodder?

By the time they begin to thaw, they are dried up, as soon as it is warm, they have vanished out of their place.

So shall, the Almighty, become, thy precious ores, yea glittering silver unto thee!

As, a bondman, panteth for the shadow, and as, a hireling, longeth for his wage,

Though, thy children, sinned against him, and he delivered them into the hand of their transgression,

Oh that, weighed, were my vexation, and, my engulfing ruin - into the balances, they would lift up all at once!

And, he that voucheth for me is on high. My friends are, they who scorn me, Unto GOD, hath mine eye shed tears: -

My flesh is clothed with worms and a coating of dust, My skin, hath hardened, and then run afresh:

For, now, beyond the sand of the seas, would it be heavy, On this account, my words, have wandered.

Shall, mortal man, be more just than GOD? Or a man be more pure than, his Maker?

If, pure and upright, thou thyself, art, surely, now, will he answer thy prayer, and will prosper thy righteous habitation:

For he addeth - unto his sin - rebellion, In our midst, he clappeth his hands, and multiplieth his sayings against GOD.

One thing, there is, for which cause, I have said it, The blameless and the lawless, he bringeth to an end.

Caravans turn aside by their course, they go up into a waste, and are lost:

He shall flee from the armour of iron, - There shall pierce him, a bow of bronze!

But, unto me, something was brought by stealth, - and mine ear caught a whispering of the same:

And thou shalt decree a purpose, and it shall be fulfilled unto thee, and, upon thy ways, shall have shone a light;

If, a scourge, slay suddenly, at the despair of innocent ones, he mocketh.

They have passed away with boats of paper-reed, like a vulture which rusheth upon food.

Lo! in his own servants, he trusteth not, and, his own messengers, he chargeth with error:

Surely, the fatherless, ye would assail, and make merchandise of your friend!

They become as straw before the wind, and as chaff, which the storm stealeth away.

How pleasant are the sayings that are right! But what can a decision from you, decide?

They are ashamed that they had trusted, They have come up to one of them, and are confounded.

And deliver me from the hand of the adversary? And, out of the hand of tyrants, ransom me?

To decide words, do ye intend, When, to the wind, are spoken the sayings of one in despair?

Thou shalt make entreaty unto him, and he will hear thee, and, thy vows, shalt thou pay;

Is there, in my tongue, perversity? Or can, my sense, not discern, engulfing ruin?

But, now, be pleased to turn to me, that it may be, to your faces, if I speak falsehood,

If he choose to contend with him, he cannot answer him, one of a thousand:

And he said unto her, As one of the base women speaketh, speakest thou? Blessing, shall we accept from God, and, misfortune, shall we not accept? In all this, Job sinned not with his lips.

Though I bathe myself in snow water, and cleanse, in cleanness itself, my hands,

I am afraid of all my pains, I know, that thou wilt not pronounce me innocent.

Ill-clad, they are left to lodge without clothing, and have no covering in the cold;

Yet surely, there is a spirit in men, and, the inspiration of the Almighty, giveth them understanding;

And his substance was - seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and a body of servants exceeding large, - thus was that man the greatest of all the sons of the East.

And it came to pass, after Yahweh had spoken these words unto Job, that Yahweh, said unto Eliphaz the Temanite, Kindled is mine anger against thee and against thy two friends, for ye have not spoken concerning me the thing that is right, like my servant Job.

Reply, I pray you, let there be no perversity, Yea reply even yet, my vindication is in it!

I, shall be held guilty, - Wherefore then, in vain, should I toil?

If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will lay aside my sad countenance, and brighten up,

The hidden depth of GOD canst thou discover? Or, unto the furthest limit of the Almighty, canst thou attain?

Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one!

And there came a certain day when the sons of God entered in, to present themselves unto Yahweh - so the accuser also entered in their midst, to present himself unto Yahweh.

And Yahweh said unto the accuser, Lo! all that he hath, is in thy hand, only, against himself, do not put forth thy hand. So the accuser went forth from the presence of Yahweh.

And so it was, when the days of the banquet came round, that Job sent and hallowed them, and rising early in the morning offered ascending-sacrifices according to the number of them all; for Job said, Peradventure my sons have sinned, and have cursed God in their hearts. Thus and thus, was Job wont to do all the days.

How much more the dwellers in houses of clay, which, in the dust, have their foundation, which are crushed sooner than a moth:

And Yahweh said unto the accuser, Whence comest thou? And the accuser answered Yahweh, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and wandering about therein.

If a man die, can he live again? All the days of my warfare, would I wait, until my relief should come: -

Lo! I know your plans, and the devices, wherewith ye would do me violence!

He hath no confidence to come back out of darkness, he, being destined to the power oft the sword;

Then, a spirit, over my face, floated along, The hair of my flesh bristled-up:

And, Yahweh himself, turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed in behalf of his friends, - and Yahweh increased all that Job had possessed, unto twice as much.

For, a dread, I dreaded, and it hath come upon me, and, that from which I shrank, hath overtaken me.

Betwixt morning and evening, are they broken in pieces, With none to save, they utterly perish:

Lo! how happy is the man whom God correcteth! Therefore, the chastening of the Almighty, do not thou refuse;

Though there is - for a tree - hope, - if it should be cut down, that, again, it will grow, and, the tender branch thereof, will not cease;

Then said his wife unto him, Art thou still holding fast thine integrity? Curse God, and die!

And Yahweh said unto the accuser, Hast thou applied thy heart unto my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a man blameless and upright, one who revereth God, and avoideth evil; and still he is holding fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to swallow him up without cause.

But, in very deed, ask, I pray thee, the beasts, and they will teach thee, and the bird of the heavens, and it will tell thee;

Is not their tent-rope within them, torn away? They die, disrobed of wisdom!

Him that was stumbling, have thy words raised up, and, sinking knees, hast thou strengthened.

Then came unto him all his brethren and all his sisters, and all his former acquaintances, and they did eat bread with him in his house, - and shewed sympathy with him and comforted him, over all the calamity which Yahweh had brought upon him, - and they gave him, every one a weight of money, and every one, a ring of gold.

And, though, after my skin is struck off, this followeth , yet, apart from my flesh, shall I see GOD:

Together, in the dust, they lie down, and, the worm, spreadeth a covering over them.

When men cast themselves down, then thou shalt say: Up! And, him that is of downcast eyes, shall he save;

Canst thou bind the fetters of the Pleiades? Or, the bands of Orion, canst thou unloose?

Wilt thou hunt - for the Lioness - prey? Or, the craving of the Strong Lion, wilt thou satisfy;

So the accuser went forth from the presence of Yahweh, - and smote Job with a sore boil, from the sole of his foot, unto his crown.

If determined am his days, the number of his months, is with thee, Fixed times for him, thou hast appointed and he cannot go beyond.

The command of his lips, and would not go back, and, in my bosom, have I treasured the words of his lips.

It stood still, but I could not distinguish its appearance, I looked, but there was no form before mine eyes, - A whispering voice, I heard: - -

And the accuser answered Yahweh, and said, Is it, for nought, that Job revereth God?

And Yahweh responded to Job, and said: -

Oh that I had one to hear me, Lo! my crossmark, May, the Almighty, answer me! And would that, a book, mine opponent had written!

The heavens shall reveal his iniquity, and, the earth, be rising up against him:

But, he, is one, and who can turn him? What his soul desired, he hath done.

Though there is, for silver, a vein, and a place for the gold they refine;

For this cause, I tremble and repent, on dust and ashes.

Though, man, to trouble, were born, as, sparks, on high, do soar,

Lo! thou hast admonished many, and, slack hands, hast thou been wont to uphold:

Now his sons were wont to go, and make a banquet, at the house of each one upon his day, - and to send and call their three sisters, to eat and to drink with them.

Did not he who, in the womb, made me, make him? And is not he who formed us in the body one?

Who spreadeth out fire heavens, by himself alone! and marcheth along, on the heights of the sea;

But, now, they who are of fewer days than I, have poured derision upon me; whose fathers I refused - to set with the dogs of my flock.

Hast thou entered into the treasuries of the snow? And, the treasuries of the hail, couldst thou see?

Now when the three friends of Job heard of all this misfortune which had befallen him, - they came, every man from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite, - for they had by appointment met together to come to shew sympathy with him, and to comfort him.

Canst thou draw out the Crocodile with a fish-hook? Or, with a cord, canst thou fasten down his tongue?

Be ye afraid - on your part - of the face of the sword, because, wrath, bringeth the punishments of the sword, to the end ye may know the Almighty.

Yet where can, Wisdom, be found? And where is the place of understanding?

So, a man, hath lain down, and shall not arise, until there are no heavens, they shall not awake, nor be roused up out of their sleep.

Wherefore do, lawless men, live, advance in years, even wax mighty in power?

If one attempt a word unto thee, wilt thou be impatient? But, to restrain speech, who, can endure?

That the righteous may hold on his way, and, the clean of hands, increase in strength.

As a flower, he cometh forth - and fadeth, He fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

Is there not a warfare to a mortal, upon earth? And, as the days of a hireling, are not his days?

For ye say, Where is the house of the noble-minded? And where the dwelling-tent of the lawless?

Who is it that darkeneth counsel, by words, without knowledge?

Shew thyself to be one with him - I pray thee - and prosper, thereby, shall there come on thee blessing.

Or who shut in, with double doors, the sea, when, bursting out of the womb, it came forth;

Then responded Eliphaz the Temanite, and said:

There is not, between us, a mediator, who might lay his hand upon us both.

In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the spirit of all the flesh of men.

If I looked at the sun, when it flashed forth light, or at the moon, majestically marching along;

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

For, in truth, ye, do besmear with falsehood, Worthless physicians, all of you!

If there hath been near him a messenger who could interpret - one of a thousand, to declare to the son of earth His uprightness,

All the while my inspiration is in me, and the spirit of GOD is in my nostrils,

In six troubles, he will rescue thee, and, in seven, there shall smite thee no misfortune:

Who hath forestalled me, that I may repay him? Under all the heavens, mine it is!

Naked is hades before him, and there is no covering to destruction;

For, in one way, GOD may speak, - and, in a second way, one may not heed it: -

Will the Wild-Ox be pleased to be thy servant? or lodge for the night by thy crib?

Yet, man, dieth, and is prostrate, Yea the son of earth doth cease to breathe, and where is he?

Lo! I am of no account, what shall I reply to thee? My hand, have I laid on my mouth:

Thine own hands, shaped me, and made me, all in unison round about, and yet thou hast confounded me.

Unto GOD, can a man act as friend? Surely a discreet man befriendeth himself!

A cloud faileth, and is gone, So, he that descendeth to hades, shall not come up:

Whereon were the pedestals thereof sunk? Or who laid the corner stone thereof; -

Oh that, in hades, thou wouldst hide me! that thou wouldst keep me secret, until the turn of thine anger, that thou wouldst set for me a fixed time, and remember me:

When my steps were bathed in milk, and, the rock, poured out beside me, rivulets of oil:

Instead of wheat, let there come forth bramble, and, instead of barley, a bad-smelling weed! Ended are the words of Job.

Yet they said unto GOD, Depart from us, and, In the knowledge of thy ways, find we no pleasure.

Who made the Bear, the Giant and the Cluster, and the chambers of the south;

Oh, then, that my words, could be written, Oh that, in a record, they could be inscribed:

After this, opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.

And, Yahweh, blessed the latter end of Job, more than his beginning, - and so he came to have fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses.

If he should set against him his heart, His spirit and his inspiration, unto himself he should withdraw.

A, boundary, hath he encircled on the face of the waters, as far as where light ends in darkness;

The shades, tremble, beneath the waters and their inhabitants;

Didst thou spread out, with him, the skies, strong as a molten mirror?

Who is it that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore, have I declared, but not understood, things too wonderful for me, which I could not know.

Yet indeed, I, would seek unto El, and, unto Elohim, would I set forth any cause: -

Have ye not asked the passers-by in the way? And, their signs, can ye not recognise?

If I wait for hades as my house, in darkness, have spread out my couch;

He hath drawn it out, and it hath come forth out of his back, - yea the flashing arrow-head, out of his gall, There shall march on him - terrors:

Lo! all this , hath mine own eye seen, - Mine ear hath heard and understood it:

When I went out to the gate unto the city, in the open place, made ready my seat,

How much less a mortal who is a creeping thing? Or a son of the earth-born who is a worm?

If I refused the right of my servant, or my handmaid, when they contended with me,

Since thy days began hast thou commanded the morning? or caused the dawn to know its place;

So these three men ceased to respond to Job, because, he, was righteous in their eyes.

Because I used to deliver the oppressed who was crying out for aid, the fatherless also, and him that had no helper;

Let it devour the members of his body, Let the firstborn of death devour his members;

My spirit, is broken, My days, are extinguished, Graves, are left me.

For he is not a man like myself, whom I might answer, nor could we come together into judgment:

Lo, GOD, is greater than we can know, The number of his years, even past finding out!

Lo! in his holy ones, he putteth not confidence, and, the heavens, are not pure in his eyes:

Now, therefore, take unto you seven bullocks and seven rams, and go unto my servant Job, and ye shall offer up an ascending-sacrifice in your own behalf, and, Job my servant, shall pray over you, - for, him, will I accept, that I may not deal out to you disgrace, because ye have not spoken concerning me the thing that is right, like my servant Job.

Oh that I knew where I might find him! I would come even unto his dwelling-place;

By his strength, hath he excited the sea, and, by his skill, hath he shattered the Crocodile:

The wing of the Ostrich that waveth itself joyfully, Is it the pinion of lovingkindness or the plumage?

That, the joy-shout of the lawless, is short, and, the rejoicing of the impious, for a moment?

How then shall, a mortal, be just with GOD? Or how shall he be pure who is born of a woman?

His anger, hath torn and persecuted me, He hath gnashed upon me with his teeth, Mine adversary, hath sharpened his eyes for me.

Wherefore, ye men of mind, hearken unto me, - Far be it, that, GOD, should be lawless, or, the Almighty, be perverse!

Boundaries, men move back, flocks, they seize and consume;

But none saith - Where is GOD my maker, Who giveth songs in the night;

In a dream, a vision of the night, when a deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed,

And Job again took up his measure, and said,

But if, an arm like GOD, thou hast, and, with a voice like his, thou canst thunder,

Lo! these, are the fringes of his way, and what a whisper of a word hath been heard of him! But, the thunder of his might, who could understand?

Pleasant to him are the mounds of the torrent-bed, - and, after him, doth every man march, as, before him, there were without number.

Behold! eastward, I go, but he is not there, and, westward, but I perceive him not;

Hast thou entered as far as the springs of the sea? Or, through the secret recesses of the resounding deep, hast thou wandered?

For he draweth up drops of water, They trickle as rain through his mist;

Oh! would I not, upon my shoulder, lift it, or bind it as a crown upon me;

How long will ye make a perversion of words? Ye should understand, and, afterwards, we could speak.

And said - Hitherto, shalt thou come, and no further, - and, here, shalt thou set a limit to the majesty of thy waves?

They complete, in prosperity, their days, and, in a moment to hades, they sink down.

Let no one trust in him that - by vanity - is deceived, for, vanity, shall be his recompense;

Even the light of the lawless, shall go out, - Neither shall shine the flame of his fire;

Oh that it were with me as in the months of old, as in the days, when, GOD, used to watch over me;

For, his eyes, are on the ways of a man, and, all his footsteps, he beholdeth, -

The pillars of the heavens, are shaken, and are terrified at his rebuke:

Then was kindled the anger of Elihu, son of Barachel the Buzite of the family of Ram, - against Job, was kindled his anger, because he justified his own soul rather than God;

Furthermore Elihu responded, and said: -

Wherefore, since from the Almighty times are not hid, have, his knowing ones, no vision of his days?

Is it, for God, ye would speak perversely? And, for him, would ye speak deceit:

With me to hades, would they go down, If, wholly - into the dust, is the descent!

This, is the portion of the lawless man, from God, and the inheritance decreed him from the Mighty One.

Knowest thou the season when the Wild Goats of the crags beget? The bringing forth of the hinds, canst thou observe?

Canst thou bring forth the signs of the Zodiac each in its season? Or, the Bear and her Young, canst thou lead?

They rejoice aloud as with timbrel and lyre, and make merry to the sound of the pipe;

He shall not depart out of darkness, his young branch, shall the flame dry up, and he shall depart, by the breath of his own mouth!

Dark clouds, are a veil to him, and he cannot see, or, the vault of the heavens, doth he walk?

Though, a sweet taste in his mouth, be given by vice, though he hide it under his tongue;

Righteousness, I put on, and it clothed me, Like a robe and turban, was my, justice;

Yea, at this, my heart quaketh, and starteth up out of its place.

Where then is the way, the light shall abide? And, the darkness, where then is its place?

Give thou ear unto this, O Job, Stay, and consider well the wonders of GOD: -

Uprooted, out of his tent, be his confidence, and let it drive him down to the king of terrors;

Is not, GOD, in the height of the heavens? Behold, then, the head of the stars, that they are high.

Shall a reprover contend, with the Almighty? He that disputeth with GOD, let him answer it!

The path of the ancient time, wilt thou mark, which the men of iniquity trod?

Making, for the wind, a weight, and, the waters, he proved by measure,

They send forth - like a flock - their young ones, and, their children, skip about for joy;

Dominion and dread, are with him, who causeth prosperity among his lofty ones;

I also, like you, could speak, - If your soul were in the place of my soul, I could string together words against you, and could therewith shake over you my head.

Canst thou get to know concerning the poisings of the thick cloud, the wonders of one who is perfect in knowledge?

If I made gold my stay, and, to precious metal, said, My confidence!

Drought and heat, steal away snow water, Hades, them who have sinned.

What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? Or what shall we profit, that we should urge him?

But, thou, wouldst take away reverence, and wouldst attain unto meditation before GOD.

If I withheld - from pleasure - the poor, or, the eyes of the widow, I dimmed;

A brother, became I to the brutes that howl, and a companion to the birds that screech:

Couldst thou give - to the Horse - strength? Couldst thou clothe his neck with the quivering mane?

Surely then hast been wont to put thy brother in pledge, for nothing, and, the garments of the ill-clad, hast thou stripped off:

Out of the north, a golden light cometh, Upon GOD, is fearful splendour:

For, the ear, trieth words, as, the palate, tasteth in eating.

In the secret council of GOD, hast thou been wont to hearken? Or canst thou attain for thyself unto wisdom?

So then Yahweh responded to Job, out of a storm, and said: -

Gird, I pray thee - like a strong man - thy loins, that I may ask thee, and inform thou me:

They, have become rebels against the light, - they are not acquainted with the ways thereof, neither abide they in the paths thereof.

For he hath shewn no respect of persons unto princes, neither hath he recognised the rich rather than the poor? For, the work of his hands, are they all.

For, the family of the impious, is unfruitful, and, a fire, hath devoured the tents of bribery;

For what shall be the hope of the impious, though he graspeth with greed, when GOD shall draw forth his soul?

I have heard many such things, Wearisome comforters, are ye all!

His flesh hath been made fresher than a child's, he hath returned to the days of his youth;

Is not, thy wickedness, great? and, without end, are not thine iniquities?

Who bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds, and the cloud is not rent beneath them;

How long will ye grieve my soul? or crush me with words?

Should, a wise man, answer unreal knowledge? or fill, with the east wind, his inner man?

At ease, was I when he shattered me, Yea he seized me by my neck, and dashed me in pieces, then set me up for himself as a mark:

Iron, out of the ore, is taken, and, stone, poureth out copper;

For, he, unto the ends of the earth, directeth his look, under all the heavens, he seeth;

Before his day, shall it be accomplished, with, his palm-top, not covered with leaves;

Widows, thou hast sent away empty, and, the arms of the fatherless, thou dost crush.

How oft, the lamp of the lawless, goeth out, and their calamity, cometh upon them, Sorrows, apportioneth he in his anger;

Let me be partial to no man, and, unto no son of earth, give flattering titles,

The poison of adders, shall he suck, The tongue of the viper shall slay him;

Verily there are mockers, with me! And, on their insults, mine eye doth rest.

Look sway from him, that he may rest, Till he shall pay off, as a hireling, his day.

Let him take from off me his rod, and, his terror, let it not startle me:

My skin, turned black, and peeled off me, and, my bones, burned with heat:

All the men of mine intimate circle abhor me, and, these whom I loved, have turned against me;

Would it be well, when he searched you out? Or, as one might jest with a mortal, would ye jest, with him?

Sackcloth, sewed I on my skin, and rolled - in the dust - my horn:

Both hoary and venerable, are among us, one mightier than thy father in days!

If, the strength thereof, I used to eat, without payment, and, the soul of the holders thereof, I made groan;

Pour out thy transports of anger, and look on every one who is high, and lay him low;

But indeed, I, unto the Almighty, would speak, and, to direct my argument unto GOD, would I be well pleased.

Wilt thou even frustrate my justice? Wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest appear right?

Just as ye know, I too, know, I, fall not short, of you.

So then Elihu, son of Barachel, the Buzite, responded and said: - Young, am I, whereas, ye, are aged, For this cause, I faltered, and feared - to shew my knowledge unto you:

Then, in a ditch, wouldst thou plunge me, and mine own clothes should abhor me:

GOD thundereth with his voice, wonderfully, Doing great things, which we cannot know;

Because he had stretched out - against GOD - his hand, and, against the Almighty, had been wont to behave himself proudly;

Oh that ye would, altogether held your peace, and it should serve you for wisdom!

Knowest thou, the statutes of the heavens? Or didst thou appoint his dominion over the earth?

He hath ruined me on every side, and I am gone, and he hath taken away - like a tree - my hope;

As GOD liveth who hath taken away my right, even the Almighty, who hath embittered my soul;

Men tear, from the breast, the fatherless, and, over the poor, they take a pledge;

Or he is chastised with pain, upon his bed, and, the strife of his bones, is unceasing!

My Brethren - from beside me, hath he moved far away, and, mine acquaintance, are wholly estranged from me;

Waters, have failed from, the sea, and, a river, may waste and dry up;

Far be it from me! that I should justify, you, - Even until I breathe my last, will I not let go mine integrity from me:

Coral or crystal, cannot be mentioned, Yea, a possession, is wisdom, above red coral;

Who hath put - into cloud-forms - wisdom? Or who hath given - to the meteor - understanding?

He bendeth down his tail like a cedar, the sinews of his thighs, are twisted together;

Hear ye patiently my words, and let this be your consolation:

Who hath cloven - for the torrent - a channel? Or a way for the lightning of thunders;

One tearing in pieces his own soul in his anger, - For thy sake, shall the earth be forsaken? or the rock be moved out of its place?

Deck thyself, I pray thee, with majesty and grandeur, Yea, with dignity and splendour, thou shalt clothe thyself;

And brake off for it my boundary, and fixed a bar and double doors;

All flesh together, would cease to breathe, and, the earth-born, unto dust, would return.