Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Job » Faith strained but victorious
Then Job answered: How long will you torment me and crush me with words? You have humiliated me ten times now, and you mistreat me without shame. read more.
Even if it is true that I have sinned, my mistake concerns only me. If you really want to appear superior to me and would use my disgrace as evidence against me, then understand that it is God who has wronged me and caught me in His net. I cry out: Violence! but get no response; I call for help, but there is no justice. He has blocked my way so that I cannot pass through; He has veiled my paths with darkness. He has stripped me of my honor and removed the crown from my head. He tears me down on every side so that I am ruined. He uproots my hope like a tree. His anger burns against me, and He regards me as [one of] His enemies. His troops advance together; they construct a ramp against me and camp around my tent. He has removed my brothers from me; my acquaintances have abandoned me. My relatives stop coming by, and my close friends have forgotten me. My house guests and female servants regard me as a stranger; I am a foreigner in their sight. I call for my servant, but he does not answer, even if I beg him with my own mouth. My breath is offensive to my wife, and my own children find me repulsive. Even young boys scorn me. When I stand up, they mock me. All of my best friends despise me, and those I love have turned against me. My skin and my flesh cling to my bones; I have escaped by the skin of my teeth. Have mercy on me, my friends, have mercy, for God's hand has struck me. Why do you persecute me as God [does]? Will you never get enough of my flesh? I wish that my words were written down, that they were recorded on a scroll or were inscribed in stone forever by an iron stylus and lead! But I know my living Redeemer, and He will stand on the dust at last. Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet I will see God in my flesh. I will see Him myself; my eyes will look at [Him], and not as a stranger. My heart longs within me.
Even if it is true that I have sinned, my mistake concerns only me. If you really want to appear superior to me and would use my disgrace as evidence against me, then understand that it is God who has wronged me and caught me in His net. I cry out: Violence! but get no response; I call for help, but there is no justice. He has blocked my way so that I cannot pass through; He has veiled my paths with darkness. He has stripped me of my honor and removed the crown from my head. He tears me down on every side so that I am ruined. He uproots my hope like a tree. His anger burns against me, and He regards me as [one of] His enemies. His troops advance together; they construct a ramp against me and camp around my tent. He has removed my brothers from me; my acquaintances have abandoned me. My relatives stop coming by, and my close friends have forgotten me. My house guests and female servants regard me as a stranger; I am a foreigner in their sight. I call for my servant, but he does not answer, even if I beg him with my own mouth. My breath is offensive to my wife, and my own children find me repulsive. Even young boys scorn me. When I stand up, they mock me. All of my best friends despise me, and those I love have turned against me. My skin and my flesh cling to my bones; I have escaped by the skin of my teeth. Have mercy on me, my friends, have mercy, for God's hand has struck me. Why do you persecute me as God [does]? Will you never get enough of my flesh? I wish that my words were written down, that they were recorded on a scroll or were inscribed in stone forever by an iron stylus and lead! But I know my living Redeemer, and He will stand on the dust at last. Even after my skin has been destroyed, yet I will see God in my flesh. I will see Him myself; my eyes will look at [Him], and not as a stranger. My heart longs within me.
Persecution » Instances of » Of job
But now they mock me, men younger than I am, whose fathers I would have refused to put with my sheep dogs. What use to me was the strength of their hands? Their vigor had left them. Emaciated from poverty and hunger, they gnawed the dry land, the desolate wasteland by night. read more.
They plucked mallow among the shrubs, and the roots of the broom tree were their food. They were expelled from human society; people shouted at them as [if they were] thieves. They are living on the slopes of the wadis, among the rocks and in holes in the ground. They bray among the shrubs; they huddle beneath the thistles. Foolish men, without even a name! They were forced to leave the land. Now I am mocked by their songs; I have become an object of scorn to them. They despise me and keep their distance from me; they do not hesitate to spit in my face.
They plucked mallow among the shrubs, and the roots of the broom tree were their food. They were expelled from human society; people shouted at them as [if they were] thieves. They are living on the slopes of the wadis, among the rocks and in holes in the ground. They bray among the shrubs; they huddle beneath the thistles. Foolish men, without even a name! They were forced to leave the land. Now I am mocked by their songs; I have become an object of scorn to them. They despise me and keep their distance from me; they do not hesitate to spit in my face.
But you coat [the truth] with lies; you are all worthless doctors. If only you would shut up and let that be your wisdom! Hear now my argument, and listen to my defense. read more.
Would you testify unjustly on God's behalf or speak deceitfully for Him? Would you show partiality to Him or argue the case in His defense? Would it go well if He examined you? Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man? Surely He would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality. Would God's majesty not terrify you? Would His dread not fall on you? Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ash; your defenses are made of clay. Be quiet, and I will speak. Let whatever comes happen to me.
Would you testify unjustly on God's behalf or speak deceitfully for Him? Would you show partiality to Him or argue the case in His defense? Would it go well if He examined you? Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man? Surely He would rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality. Would God's majesty not terrify you? Would His dread not fall on you? Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ash; your defenses are made of clay. Be quiet, and I will speak. Let whatever comes happen to me.
Then Job answered: I have heard many things like these. You are all miserable comforters. Is there [no] end to your empty words? What provokes you that you continue testifying? read more.
If you were in my place I could also talk like you. I could string words together against you and shake my head at you, [but I wouldn't].
If you were in my place I could also talk like you. I could string words together against you and shake my head at you, [but I wouldn't].
Then Job answered: How long will you torment me and crush me with words? You have humiliated me ten times now, and you mistreat me without shame. read more.
Even if it is true that I have sinned, my mistake concerns only me. If you really want to appear superior to me and would use my disgrace as evidence against me,
Even if it is true that I have sinned, my mistake concerns only me. If you really want to appear superior to me and would use my disgrace as evidence against me,