Job
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English: New American Standard Bible |
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Job 20 [Commentary]
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Then Zophar the Naamathite answered, |
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"Therefore my disquieting thoughts make me respond, Even because of my inward agitation.
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"I listened to the reproof which insults me, And the spirit of my understanding makes me answer.
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"Do you know this from of old, From the establishment of man on earth,
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That the triumphing of the wicked is short, And the joy of the godless momentary?
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"Though his loftiness reaches the heavens, And his head touches the clouds,
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He perishes forever like his refuse; Those who have seen him will say, `Where is he?'
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"He flies away like a dream, and they cannot find him; Even like a vision of the night he is chased away.
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"The eye which saw him sees him no longer, And his place no longer beholds him.
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"His sons favor the poor, And his hands give back his wealth.
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"His bones are full of his youthful vigor, But it lies down with him in the dust.
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"Though evil is sweet in his mouth And he hides it under his tongue,
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Though he desires it and will not let it go, But holds it in his mouth,
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Yet his food in his stomach is changed To the venom of cobras within him.
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"He swallows riches, But will vomit them up; God will expel them from his belly.
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"He sucks the poison of cobras; The viper's tongue slays him.
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"He does not look at the streams, The rivers flowing with honey and curds.
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"He returns what he has attained And cannot swallow it; As to the riches of his trading, He cannot even enjoy them.
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"For he has oppressed and forsaken the poor; He has seized a house which he has not built.
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"Because he knew no quiet within him, He does not retain anything he desires.
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"Nothing remains for him to devour, Therefore his prosperity does not endure.
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"In the fullness of his plenty he will be cramped; The hand of everyone who suffers will come against him.
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"When he fills his belly, God will send His fierce anger on him And will rain it on him while he is eating.
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"He may flee from the iron weapon, But the bronze bow will pierce him.
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"It is drawn forth and comes out of his back, Even the glittering point from his gall. Terrors come upon him,
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Complete darkness is held in reserve for his treasures, And unfanned fire will devour him; It will consume the survivor in his tent.
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"The heavens will reveal his iniquity, And the earth will rise up against him.
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"The increase of his house will depart; His possessions will flow away in the day of His anger.
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"This is the wicked man's portion from God, Even the heritage decreed to him by God."
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Job 21 [Commentary]
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Then Job answered, |
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"Listen carefully to my speech, And let this be your way of consolation.
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"Bear with me that I may speak; Then after I have spoken, you may mock.
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"As for me, is my complaint to man? And why should I not be impatient?
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"Look at me, and be astonished, And put your hand over your mouth.
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"Even when I remember, I am disturbed, And horror takes hold of my flesh.
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"Why do the wicked still live, Continue on, also become very powerful?
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"Their descendants are established with them in their sight, And their offspring before their eyes,
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Their houses are safe from fear, And the rod of God is not on them.
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"His ox mates without fail; His cow calves and does not abort.
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"They send forth their little ones like the flock, And their children skip about.
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"They sing to the timbrel and harp And rejoice at the sound of the flute.
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"They spend their days in prosperity, And suddenly they go down to Sheol.
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"They say to God, `Depart from us! We do not even desire the knowledge of Your ways.
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`Who is the Almighty, that we should serve Him, And what would we gain if we entreat Him?'
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"Behold, their prosperity is not in their hand; The counsel of the wicked is far from me.
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"How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, Or does their calamity fall on them? Does God apportion destruction in His anger?
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"Are they as straw before the wind, And like chaff which the storm carries away?
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"You say, `God stores away a man's iniquity for his sons.' Let God repay him so that he may know it.
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"Let his own eyes see his decay, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
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"For what does he care for his household after him, When the number of his months is cut off?
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"Can anyone teach God knowledge, In that He judges those on high?
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"One dies in his full strength, Being wholly at ease and satisfied;
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His sides are filled out with fat, And the marrow of his bones is moist,
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While another dies with a bitter soul, Never even tasting anything good.
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"Together they lie down in the dust, And worms cover them.
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"Behold, I know your thoughts, And the plans by which you would wrong me.
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"For you say, `Where is the house of the nobleman, And where is the tent, the dwelling places of the wicked?'
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"Have you not asked wayfaring men, And do you not recognize their witness?
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"For the wicked is reserved for the day of calamity; They will be led forth at the day of fury.
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"Who will confront him with his actions, And who will repay him for what he has done?
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"While he is carried to the grave, Men will keep watch over his tomb.
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"The clods of the valley will gently cover him; Moreover, all men will follow after him, While countless ones go before him.
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"How then will you vainly comfort me, For your answers remain full of falsehood?"
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NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE
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