Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Persecution » Instances of » Of job
But now they who are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I disdained to set with the dogs of my flock. Yes, how could the strength of their hands profit me? They were men whose ripe age and vigor had perished. They are gaunt with want and famine; they gnaw the dry and barren ground or flee into the wilderness, into the gloom of wasteness and desolation. read more.
They pluck saltwort or mallows among the bushes, and roots of the broom for their food or to warm them. They are driven from among men, who shout after them as after a thief. They must dwell in the clefts of frightful valleys (gullies made by torrents) and in holes of the earth and of the rocks. Among the bushes they bray and howl [like wild animals]; beneath the prickly scrub they fling themselves and huddle together. Sons of the worthless and nameless, they have been scourged and crushed out of the land. And now I have become their song; yes, I am a byword to them. They abhor me, they stand aloof from me, and do not refrain from spitting in my face or at the sight of me.
They pluck saltwort or mallows among the bushes, and roots of the broom for their food or to warm them. They are driven from among men, who shout after them as after a thief. They must dwell in the clefts of frightful valleys (gullies made by torrents) and in holes of the earth and of the rocks. Among the bushes they bray and howl [like wild animals]; beneath the prickly scrub they fling themselves and huddle together. Sons of the worthless and nameless, they have been scourged and crushed out of the land. And now I have become their song; yes, I am a byword to them. They abhor me, they stand aloof from me, and do not refrain from spitting in my face or at the sight of me.
But you are forgers of lies [you defame my character most untruthfully]; you are all physicians of no value and have no remedy to offer. Oh, that you would altogether hold your peace! Then you would evidence your wisdom and you might pass for wise men. Hear now my reasoning, and listen to the pleadings of my lips. read more.
Will you speak unrighteously for God and talk deceitfully for Him? Will you show partiality to Him [be unjust to me in order to gain favor with Him]? Will you act as special pleaders for God? Would it be profitable for you if He should investigate your tactics [with me]? Or as one deceives and mocks a man, do you deceive and mock Him? He will surely reprove you if you do secretly show partiality. Shall not His majesty make you afraid, and should not your awe for Him restrain you? Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes [valueless]; your defenses are defenses of clay [and will crumble]. Hold your peace! Let me alone, so I may speak; and let come on me what may.
Will you speak unrighteously for God and talk deceitfully for Him? Will you show partiality to Him [be unjust to me in order to gain favor with Him]? Will you act as special pleaders for God? Would it be profitable for you if He should investigate your tactics [with me]? Or as one deceives and mocks a man, do you deceive and mock Him? He will surely reprove you if you do secretly show partiality. Shall not His majesty make you afraid, and should not your awe for Him restrain you? Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ashes [valueless]; your defenses are defenses of clay [and will crumble]. Hold your peace! Let me alone, so I may speak; and let come on me what may.
Then Job answered, I have heard many such things; wearisome and miserable comforters are you all! Will your futile words of wind have no end? Or what makes you so bold to answer [me like this]? read more.
I also could speak as you do, if you were in my stead; I could join words together against you and shake my head at you.
I also could speak as you do, if you were in my stead; I could join words together against you and shake my head at you.
“Surely there are mockers and mockery with me,
And my eye gazes on their obstinacy and provocation.
Then Job answered: How long will you vex and torment me and break me in pieces with words? These ten times you have reproached me; you are not ashamed that you make yourselves strange [harden yourselves against me and deal severely with me]. read more.
And if it were true that I have erred, my error would remain with me [I would be conscious of it]. If indeed you magnify yourselves against me and plead against me my reproach and humiliation,
And if it were true that I have erred, my error would remain with me [I would be conscious of it]. If indeed you magnify yourselves against me and plead against me my reproach and humiliation,
Silence » Value of » General references to
He who despises his neighbor lacks sense,
But a man of understanding keeps silent.
When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable,
But he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.
So they sat down on the ground with Job for seven days and seven nights and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.
I was mute and silent [before my enemies],
I refrained even from good,
And my
Even a [callous, arrogant] fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips he is regarded as sensible (prudent, discreet) and a man of understanding.
Let him sit alone [in hope] and keep quiet,
Because God has laid it on him [for his benefit].
Speaking » Folly in
But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak. For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.
A [self-confident] fool's lips bring contention, and his mouth invites a beating. A [self-confident] fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to himself.
For the dream comes through much effort, and the voice of the fool through many words.
For in a multitude of dreams and in a flood of words there is worthlessness. Rather [reverently] fear God [and worship Him with awe-filled respect, knowing who He is].
Like a thorn that goes [without being felt] into the hand of a drunken man,
So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who remains unaffected by its wisdom].
A [shortsighted] fool always loses his temper and displays his anger,
But a wise man [uses self-control and] holds it back.
The one who guards his mouth [thinking before he speaks] protects his life;
The one who opens his lips wide [and chatters without thinking] comes to ruin.
Do you see a [conceited] man who speaks quickly [offering his opinions or answering without thinking]?
There is more hope for a [thickheaded]
The mind of the intelligent and discerning seeks knowledge and eagerly inquires after it,
But the mouth of the [stubborn] fool feeds on foolishness.
He who answers before he hears [the facts]—
It is folly and shame to him.
A shrewd man is reluctant to display his knowledge [until the proper time],
But the heart of [over-confident] fools proclaims foolishness.
The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable,
But the [babbling] mouth of fools spouts folly.
Wise men store up and treasure knowledge [in mind and heart],
But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.
The lips of the wise spread knowledge [sifting it as chaff from the grain];
But the hearts of [shortsighted] fools are not so.
Let there be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse [obscene or vulgar] joking, because such things are not appropriate [for believers]; but instead speak of your thankfulness [to God].
Like the legs which are useless to the lame,
So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who cannot learn from its wisdom].
In the mouth of the [arrogant]
But the lips of the wise [when they speak with godly wisdom] will protect them.
Will your futile words of wind have no end? Or what makes you so bold to answer [me like this]? I also could speak as you do, if you were in my stead; I could join words together against you and shake my head at you.
“Who is this that darkens counsel [questioning my authority and wisdom]
By words without knowledge?
Do not answer [nor pretend to agree with the frivolous comments of] a [closed-minded] fool according to his folly,
Otherwise you, even you, will be like him.
Do not slander or malign a servant before his master [stay out of another’s personal life],
Or he will curse you [for your interference], and you will be found guilty.
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is wicked madness. A fool also multiplies words, though no man can tell what will be -- "and what will happen after he is gone, who can tell him?