They are yet speaking with him, and eunuchs of the king have come, and haste to bring in Haman unto the banquet that Esther hath made.

The couriers rode out in haste on their royal horses at the king’s urgent command. The law was also issued in the fortress of Susa.

And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

The work of his hands Thou hast blessed, and his substance hath spread in the land, and yet, put forth, I pray Thee, Thy hand, and strike against anything that he hath -- if not: to Thy face he doth bless Thee!'

And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

Then said the LORD unto Satan, "Lo, there hast thou him in thy power, but spare his life."

Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.

Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

And thou hast known that thy tent is peace, And inspected thy habitation, and errest not,

And hast known that numerous is Thy seed, And thine offspring as the herb of the earth;

for the paths that they go in are crooked: they haste after vain things, and shall perish.

And thou hast affrighted me with dreams, And from visions thou terrifiest me,

I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself?

Thou dost not take away my transgression, And cause to pass away mine iniquity, Because now, for dust I lie down: And Thou hast sought me -- and I am not!

If he be hasty to take anything away, who will make him restore it again? Who will say unto him, 'What doest thou?'

Is it good for Thee that Thou dost oppress? That Thou despisest the labour of Thy hands, And on the counsel of the wicked hast shone?

Hast thou eyes of flesh? or seest thou as man seeth?

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

Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?

Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese?

Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews.

Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.

And these things hast thou hid in thine heart: I know that this is with thee.

If I sinned, then Thou hast observed me, And from mine iniquity dost not acquit me,

Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me!

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

For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.

If thou -- thou hast prepared thy heart, And hast spread out unto Him thy hands,

if thou wouldst put away the wickedness which thou hast in hand, so that no ungodliness dwelt in thy house;

For then thou liftest up thy face from blemish, And thou hast been firm, and fearest not.

And thou hast trusted because their is hope, And searched -- in confidence thou liest down,

And thou hast rested, And none is causing trembling, And many have entreated thy face;

Thou hast put my foot in the stocks: thou lookest narrowly unto all my paths, and markest the steps of my feet.

Also -- on this Thou hast opened Thine eyes, And dost bring me into judgment with Thee.

Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;

Thou dost call, and I -- I answer Thee; To the work of Thy hands Thou hast desire.

"For thou hast numbered all my goings, yet be not thou too extreme upon my sins.

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

Stones have waters worn away, Their outpourings wash away the dust of earth, And the hope of man Thou hast destroyed.

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

As for shame, thou hast set it aside - else wouldest thou not make so many words before God.

For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou hast chosen the tongue of the crafty.

Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself?

What hast thou known, and we know not? Understandest thou -- and it is not with us?

For thou turnest against God thy spirit? And hast brought out words from thy mouth:

Shall not thy vain words come yet to an end? Or, hast thou yet any more to say?

But now he hath made me weary: thou hast made desolate all my company.

And thou hast filled me with wrinkles, which is a witness against me: and my leanness rising up in me beareth witness to my face.

For thou hast hid their heart from understanding: therefore shalt thou not exalt them.

Therefore do my thoughts cause me to answer, and for this I make haste.

This hast thou known from antiquity? Since the placing of man on earth?

For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, and stripped the naked of their clothing.

Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.

Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless have been broken.

And thou hast said, 'What -- hath God known? Through thickness doth He judge?

Hast thou marked the old way which wicked men have trodden?

How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength?

How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?

To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?

“For it will hurl [thunderbolts of God’s wrath] at him unsparingly and without compassion;
He flees in haste from its power.

Thou hast become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me.

In times past thou didst set me up on high, as it were above the wind, but now hast thou given me a very sore fall.

Verily I walked not in falsity, nor did my foot haste unto deceit: -

Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,

Lo, in this thou hast not been righteous, I answer thee, that greater is God than man.

Wherefore against Him hast thou striven, When for all His matters He answereth not?

If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.

If thou hast nothing, then hear me, and hold thy tongue, so shall I teach thee wisdom."

If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.

Shall he recompense according to thy mind? for thou hast refused his judgment; for thou so choosest, and not I; speak then what thou knowest.

This hast thou reckoned for judgment: Thou hast said -- 'My righteousness is more than God's?'

For thou hast asked of what profit it is unto thee: what do I gain more than if I had sinned?

If thou hast sinned, what effectest thou against him? And if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?

If thou hast been righteous, What dost thou give to Him? Or what from thy hand doth He receive?

But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.

Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.

Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?

Art thou of his counsel, when he spreadeth out the clouds? Hast thou the perfect knowledge of his wonders?

Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?

Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;

Their tokens and weapons hast thou turned like clay, and set them up again as the changing of a garment.

Yea, thou hast spoiled the ungodly of their light, and broken the arm of the proud.

Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?

Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?

Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.

Thou hast known -- for then thou art born And the number of thy days are many!

Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,

Hast thou brought the seven stars together? Or art thou able to loose the bands of Orion?

Hast thou known the statutes of heaven? Or dost thou appoint Its dominion in the earth?

Hast thou known the time of The bearing of the wild goats of the rock? The bringing forth of hinds thou dost mark!

Thou dost number the months they fulfil? And thou hast known the time of their bringing forth!

Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?

Hast thou made him to leap as a locust? The glory of his snorting is terrible.

Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

Lo, a flood oppresseth -- he doth not haste, He is confident though Jordan Doth come forth unto his mouth.

Thou hast known that for all things Thou art able, And not withheld from Thee is any device:

Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.

{To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David.} Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.