"How long will you keep talking like this? How long will you keep talking like a wind storm?

"Indeed, this is the benefit of God's way: from the soil other plants will sprout.

This was Job's response:

"Indeed, I'm fully aware that this is so, but how can a person become right with God?

"Is this a contest of strength? He is obviously stronger! Is this a matter of justice? Who can sue him?

I will be condemned, so why should I wear myself out with this futility?

But you've hidden these things in your heart I know this was your purpose:

Zophar from Naamath had this to say:

Like you, I also have understanding. I'm not inferior to you; who doesn't know things like this?"

"I'm a laughingstock to my friends, someone who called on God. But then he answered this upright and blameless man, and I have become a laughingstock.

I have this as my salvation: the godless person won't be appearing before him.

Indeed, have you opened your eyes on one like this to bring me into a legal fight with you?

that you turn your anger against God and speak words like this?

This will be accomplished before his time; his branches won't grow luxuriant.

"I've heard many things like this. What miserable comforters you all are!

crying for him to arbitrate between this man and God; as a human being does with his fellow neighbor.

My eyes have grown weak from grief; and my whole body is as thin as a shadow.

The upright are appalled over this, and the innocent person is troubled by the godless.

Indeed, the residences of the wicked are like this; and so are the homes of those who don't know God."

"Haven't you known this from ancient times, since mankind was placed on the earth?

This is what the wicked person inherits from God; it is the inheritance that God appoints for him."

"Listen carefully to my words; let this encourage all of you.

When I think about this, I'm petrified with terror and my body shudders uncontrollably."

The righteous will see this and rejoice; the innocent will insult him, saying,

If this weren't so, who can prove that I'm a liar by showing that there's nothing to what I'm saying?"

Who helped you say all of this? Who inspired you?"

"This is what a wicked person inherits from God, and what the ruthless will receive from the Almighty:

They tear up my pathways; they profit from my destruction, and they need no help to do this!

this is also a sin that deserves to be judged, since I would have tried to deceive God above."

may thorns spring up instead of wheat, and obnoxious weeds instead of barley." With this, Job's discourse with his friends is completed.

"You aren't right about this; My response is that God is greater than human beings.

Now this is Job's claim: "Even though I'm innocent, God has stopped treating me righteously.

If you have understanding, listen to this! Pay attention to what I have to say:

Be careful! Don't turn to evil, because of this you will be tried by more than affliction.

"Now I'll conclude with this: my heart is trembling violently; it feels like it's about to leap from my body!

"Pay attention to this, Job! Stand still, and consider the wondrous attributes of God.

"Who is this who keeps darkening my counsel without knowing what he's talking about?

and said, "You may come only this far and no more. Your majestic waves will stop here.'?

You asked, "Who is this that darkens counsel without knowledge?' Well now, I have talked about what I don't understand awesome things beyond me that I don't know.

Job lived 140 years after this, and saw his children and grandchildren to the fourth generation.

But this is not the case with the wicked. They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

But understand this: the LORD has set apart the godly for himself! The LORD will hear me when I cry out to him!

Be angry, yet do not sin. Think about this when upon your beds, and be silent. Interlude

LORD, my God, if I have done this thing, if there is injustice on my hands,

You, LORD, will keep them safe, you will guard them from this generation forever.

from men, LORD, by your hand from men who belong to this world, whose reward is only in this life. But as for your treasured ones, may their stomachs be full, may their children have an abundance, and may they leave wealth to their offspring.

But as for me, justified, I will behold your face; when I awake, your presence will satisfy me. To the Director: By the servant of the LORD, David, who spoke the words of this song to the LORD on the day when the LORD delivered him from the hands of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

This person will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

This is the generation that seeks him. Those who seek your face are the true seed of Jacob. Interlude

Who is he, this King of Glory? The LORD of the heavenly armies He is the King of Glory. Interlude Davidic

This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard and delivered him from all of his distress.

You see this, LORD, so do not be silent. Lord, do not be far from me!

In this way I will know that you are pleased with me, and that my enemies will not shout in triumph over me.

All this came upon us, yet we did not forsake you, and we have not dealt falsely with your covenant;

For this God is our God forever and ever. He will guide us until death. To the Director: A song by the Sons of Korah.

Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, all you who live in the world,

This is the fate of those who are foolish and of those who correct their words after they speak. Interlude

Consider this, you who have forgotten God Otherwise, I will tear you in pieces and there will be no deliverer:

The righteous will fear when they see this, but then they will laugh at him, saying,

I want to deliver myself quickly from this windstorm and tempest."

My enemies will retreat when I call on you. This has been my experience, because God is with me.

Have mercy on me, God, have mercy, for in you I have placed my trust. Even in the shadow of your wings will I find my refuge until this calamity passes.

You take care of the earth, you water it, and you enrich it greatly with the river of God that overflows with water. You provide grain for them, for you have ordained it this way.

the land quaked. Indeed, the heavens poured down rain from the presence of God, this God of Sinai, from the presence of God, the God of Israel.

Also, when I reach old age and have gray hair, God, do not forsake me, until I have declared your power to this generation and your might to the next one.

This ends the prayers of Jesse's son David. A song of Asaph.

If I say, "I will talk like this," I would betray a generation of your children.

When I tried to understand this, it was too difficult for me

Whom do I have in heaven but you? I desire nothing on this earth.

Remember this: The enemy scorns the LORD and a foolish people despises your name.

since God is the judge. This one he will debase or that one he will exalt.

Therefore, when the LORD heard this, he was angry, and fire broke out against Jacob. Moreover, his anger flared against Israel,

In spite of all of this, they kept on sinning and didn't believe in his marvelous deeds.

God of the Heavenly Armies, return! Look down from heaven and see. Show care toward this vine.

I will mention Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me including Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia "This one was born there," they say.

The LORD will record, as he registers the nations, "This one was born there." Interlude

A stupid man doesn't know, and a fool can't comprehend this:

Write this for the next generation, that a people yet to be created will praise the LORD.

They worshipped their idols, and this became a trap for them.

May this be the way the LORD repays my accuser, those who speak evil against me.

Then they will realize that your hand is in this that you, LORD, have accomplished it.

The wicked person sees this and flies into a rage; his teeth gnash and wear away. The desire of the wicked will amount to nothing.

The sea saw this and fled, the Jordan River ran backwards,

This is the LORD's gate The righteous will enter through it.

This is from the LORD it is awesome in our sight.

This is the day that the LORD has made; let's rejoice and be glad in it.

This is what comforts me in my troubles: that what you say revives me.

How many days must your servant endure this? When will you judge those who persecute me?

To this day they stand by means of your rulings, for all things serve you.

The LORD will guard your goings and comings, from this time on and forever. A Davidic Song of Ascents

Consider this: as the eyes of a servant focus on what his master provides, and as the eyes of a female servant focus on what her mistress provides, so our eyes focus on the LORD our God, until he has mercy on us.

"This is my resting place forever. Here I will live, because I desire to do so.

Knowledge like this is too amazing for me. It is beyond my reach, and I cannot fathom it.

So I cry to you, Lord, declaring, "You are my refuge, my only possession while I am on this earth."

Break me out of this prison, so I can give thanks to your name. The righteous will surround me, for you will deal generously with me. A Davidic Song

He has not dealt with any other nation like this; they never knew his decrees. Hallelujah!

and executing the judgment written against them. This is honor for all the ones he loves. Hallelujah!

This is how you will walk in the way of good men and will keep to the paths of the righteous.

This will bring healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones.

then do this, my son, and deliver yourself, because you have come under your neighbor's control. Go, humble yourself! Plead passionately with your neighbor!