Part 307 (1/2)

For G.o.d speaketh once, Yea twice, though man regardeth it not.

In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falleth upon men, In slumberings upon the bed; Then he openeth the ears of men, And sealeth their instruction, That he may withdraw man from his purpose, And hide pride from man; He keepeth back his soul from the pit, And his life from peris.h.i.+ng by the sword.

To shew unto man what is right for him; Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, {216} ”Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.”

His flesh shall be fresher than a child's; He returneth to the days of his youth: He prayeth unto G.o.d, and he is favourable unto him; So that he seeth his face with joy: And he restoreth unto man his righteousness.

He singeth before men, and saith, ”I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, And it profited me not: He hath redeemed my soul from going into the pit, And my life shall behold the light.”

Lo, all these things doth G.o.d work, Twice, yea thrice, with a man, To bring back his soul from the pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of the living.

Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: Hold thy peace, and I will speak.

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

If not, hearken thou unto me: Hold thy peace, and I will teach thee wisdom.

(He speaks again to the friends.)

Hear my words, ye wise men; And give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge.

For the ear trieth words, As the palate tasteth meat.

Let us choose for us that which is right: {217} Let us know among ourselves what is good.

For Job hath said, ”I am righteous, And G.o.d hath taken away my right.”

Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be it from G.o.d, that he should do wickedness; And from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

For the work of a man shall he render unto him, And cause every man to find according to his ways.

Yea, of a surety, G.o.d will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

Is it fit to say to a king, ”Thou art vile?”

Or to n.o.bles, ”Ye are wicked?”

How much less to him that respecteth not the persons of princes, Nor regardeth the rich more than the poor?

For they all are the work of his hands.

In a moment they die, even at midnight; For his eyes are upon the ways of a man, And he seeth all his goings.

There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

Therefore speak what thou knowest.

Men of understanding will say unto me, Yea, every wise man that heareth me: ”Job speaketh without knowledge, And his words are without wisdom.

Would that Job were tried unto the end, Because of his answering like wicked men. {218} For he addeth rebellion unto his sin, He clappeth his hands among us, And multiplieth his words against G.o.d.”

(He speaks again to Job.)

Thinkest thou this to be thy right, Or sayest thou, ”My righteousness is more than G.o.d's,”

That thou sayest, ”What advantage will it be unto thee?”

And, ”What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?”

I will answer thee, And thy companions with thee.

Look unto the heavens, and see; And behold the skies, which are higher than thou.

If thou hast sinned, what doest thou against him?

And if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?

If thou be righteous, what givest thou him?

Or what receiveth he of thine hand?

There they cry, but none giveth answer, Because of the pride of evil men.

Surely G.o.d will not hear vanity, Neither will the Almighty regard it.

How much less when thou sayest thou beholdest him not, The cause is before him, and thou waitest for him!

But now, because he hath not visited in his anger, Neither doth he greatly regard arrogance; Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vanity; He multiplieth words without knowledge. {219} Behold, G.o.d is mighty, and despiseth not any: He is mighty in strength of understanding.

He preserveth not the life of the wicked: But giveth to the afflicted their right.