The Garden of Zion, Part 11 · Biblical figure · Chapter 15 – Chapter 23
Chap. 15.
THen Eliphaz the Temanite
ſaid, Should man wiſe in minde
2 Speak vainly, and his belly fill
with the barran eaſt winde?
3 Should he thus with ſuch iddle talk,
and words that are moſt rude
Go reaſon, or with ſpeach wherewith
he ſure can do no good?
4 Thou caſts off feare, by prayer als
on GOD thou doſt not call,
5 Thy mouth ſpeakes ill, and thou doſt choiſe
the crafty tongue withall.
6 Not I, but thine own wicked mouth
condemnes thee certainly,
And which is more, yea thine owne lips
againſt thee teſtifie.
7 Art thou the firſt man that was borne,
and made the hills before?
8 Gods ſecrets haſt thou heard? and doſt
eſteeme thy wiſedome more?
9 What knowſt thou, which we do not know…
or yet not underſtand?
10 With us are all the aged men
the gray-heads of the land.
11 Gods comforts with thee are they ſmall?
are ſecret things with thee?
12 Why doth thine heart thee cary, and
at what doth winke thine eye?
13 That thou againſt th' Almighty God,
thy ſpirit turn'ſt ſo and ſo,
And letteſt ſuch moſt fooliſh words
out of thy vaine mouth go?
14 What is man that he ſhould be cleane
himſelf to juſtifie?
And he which of a woman borne,
that he ſhould righteous be?
15 Be…old no truſt he in his ſaints
doth put for all their might,
Yea, the moſt clea… and azurd heavens
are not cleane in his ſight.
16 How much more loathſome, and more vile
is man, as ye may think,
Who all ſorts of iniquitie
as water ſtill doth drinke?
17 I'll ſhew thee, heare, I will declare,
even that which I have ſeene,
18 Which wiſe men from their fathers told,
ſo hid it hath not beene.
19 To whom alone the earth was given;
that therein they might dwell,
No ſtranger did among them paſſe,
either to buy or ſell.
20 The wicked man doth all his dayes
travell with paine not good,
To the oppreſſour of his yeares
the number is well hid.
21 In his years is a dreadfull ſound,
in his proſperity
The deſtroyer ſhall ſurely come
upon him ſuddenly.
No meanes can make him to beleeve,
that he out of da…kneſſe
Shall once returne, the ſword it waits
for him in great diſtreſſe.
23 For bread he wandreth, ſaying thus,
Where is it in the land?
He knowes that the day of darkneſſe
is ready at his hand.
24 With trouble he ſhall be afraid
and with much anguiſh ſo,
Gainſt him they ſhall prevaile as Kings,
that unto battell goe.
25 For 'gainſt the God of heav'n above
he ſtretcheth out his hand,
And 'gainſt th' Almighty he himſelf
doth ſtrengthen in the land.
26 He with a d…ſp'rat violence
upon the LORD doth run:
Even on his neck the boſſes thick
of his bucklers upon.
27 Becauſe his face he covreth wel
with fatneſſe, even ſo that
He collops maketh on his flanks,
which are both great and fat.
28 He dwells in cities deſolat,
and where no man can ſtay,
In houſes ready to become
great heaps of ſtone and clay.
29 He impovriſh'd, all his ſubſtance
ſhall not continue long,
His fa…re and large eſtate he ſhall▪
not on the earth prolong.
30 From darkneſſe he ſhall not depart,
the flame ſhall ſoone up dry
His branches, ſurely by his breath
he ſhall go ſoone away.
31 Let not him truſt in vanitie,
who being voide of ſenſe
Deceived is; for vanitie
ſhall be his recompenſe.
32 Before his time it ſhall be cut,
his branch ſhall not be greene,
33 As th'Olive he …hall caſt his flowre,
as unripe grapes the vine.
34 For multitudes of hypocrites
ſure deſolate ſhall be;
And fire ſhall ſoone conſume the tent
of all baſe briberie.
35 They miſchief in their heart conceive,
and bring foorth with much guile
Great vanity: their belly doth
prepare deceit the while.
Chap. 16.
THen Job anone him anſwerd thus,
2 I have heard how befall
Many ſuch thin…s, moſt naughty now
comforters are yee all.
3. Shall words of winde, and vanitie
at laſt have not an end?
What is this that imboldens thee,
ſuch anſwers to intend?
4 I could well ſpeak, if your ſouls were
even in this my ſouls ſtead:
Againſt you I could heap up words,
and ſhake at you mine head.
5 I with my mouth would ſtrengthen you
for your aid and releef;
The moving alſo of my lips
ſhould well aſſwage your grief.
6 Though I do ſpeak, my grief is not
aſſwadged any way:
And though in ſilence I forbear,
what am I eaſde thereby?
But now He hath me weary made,
in great perplexitie:
In wrath thou haſt made deſolate
even all my company.
8 With wrinkles (as a witneſſe) thou
haſt fild me in diſgrace:
My leanneſſe in me riſing up
beares witneſſe to my face.
9 He that me hates in wrath me tares,
his teeth ſtill gnaſhing be
Upon me, this my cruell fo
ſharpneth his eyes on me.
10 They gaped have, they ſmitten als
have me upon the cheek,
With great reproch they gathered were
againſt me calme and meek.
11 GOD in wrath hath delivered me
to the ungodly band,
And of the wicked hath me turn'd,
ev'n over in their hands.
12 I was at eaſe, aſunder he
hath broke me; by the neck
He hath me ta'en and ſhaken ſore;
and ſet me for his marke.
13 His archers do me compaſſe round,
my reines aſunder all
He cleaves, and doth not ſpare; he powres
out on the ground my gall.
14 With breach upon breach at all times
he breakes me all along:
He fiercely doth upon me run,
moſt like a gyant ſtrong.
15 I ſackcloth on my skin have ſowd,
which makes my heart to burſt:
The horne of all my ſtrength I have
defiled in the duſt.
16 Great weeping in my troubles ſore
my face defiled hath;
And on mine eye-lids ſtill abides
the ſhadow dark of death.
17 This is not for iniquitie,
wrought by hands all impure,
For I take head to all my wayes,
my prayer it is pure.
18 O earth! if I thus guilty be,
then cov'r thou not my blood;
…et not my cry come unto thee,
for to be underſtood.
19 Now alſo th…s I know right well,
behold my WITNES true
Dwells in the heav'ns, and my RECORD
on high himſelf doth ſhew.
20 My friends in mine affliction great
me all do mock and ſcorne.
…ut unto God mine eye powres out
hudge teares both even and morne:
21 O that one might with God on earth
for men thus plainly plead;
…s one that pleads for one that is
his neighbour good indeed.
22 When ſome few years upon the earth
are quickly come and gone
…hen at laſt ſhall I goe the way
whence I ſhall not returne.
Chap. 17.
COrrupted is my breath, my dayes
extinct are certainely,
…he graves alſo are now prepard,
and ready made for me.
2 Are there not proud and wicked men,
that at me mock their fill;
In ſuch provoking vaine, doth not
mine eye continue ſtill?
3 Lay downe a little, put me now
in ſurety well with thee,
Who is he among mortall men
that will ſtrike hands with me?
4 For thou from underſtanding good
haſt hid their heart; thou ſhalt
Them not (according to their mind)
to dignitie exalt.
5 He that unto his deareſt friends
vaine flattery can ſpeak,
Of his children the eyes ſhall faile,
when they in want ſhall ſeek.
6 He as of babbling people vaine,
a by-word hath ſet me,
And to my foes in former times
a tabret made to be.
7 By reaſon of my ſorrow great,
mine eye is dimme alſo;
My members as a ſhadow are
all fill'd with greef and wo.
8 Men upright ſhall aſtonied be
at this, and (which is meet)
The innocent himſelf ſhall ſtirre
againſt the hypocrite.
9 He that is given to righteouſneſſe,
ſhall als hold on his way;
And he that hath cleane hands ſhall be
made ſtronger every day.
10 But as for you all fooliſh men,
do ye returne, and now
Come, for I cannot finde at all
one that is wiſe with you.
11 My dayes in vanitie are paſt,
for which I greatly ſmart,
My purpoſes are broken off,
even the thoughts of mine heart.
12 My day of joy they changed have
into the greef of night,
13 Becauſe of ſuch a darkneſſe great
they have made ſhort my light.
14 I have unto corruption ſaid,
and to the wormes that crowle,
My father and my mother you,
and ſiſter will I call.
15 And where is now my hope? As for
my hope who ſhall it ſee?
16 They to the pit ſhall go when in
the duſt we reſting be.
Chap. 14
THen Bildad the Shuhite did ſay,
How long now will it be,
2 Ere you end all your words? Mark well,
and after ſpeake will we.
3 Wherefore are we as brutiſh beaſts
thus counted all the while?
And ſtill reputed in your ſight
as naughty men and vile.
4 In anger hote he tears himſelf,
ſhall the earth with diſg…ace
Be left for thee? And ſhall the rock
remov'd be from its place?
5 The brighteſt light of wicked men
ſhall ſurely be put out,
Yea, and the ſparkle of his fire
ſhall not ſhine him about.
6 The light within his Tabernacle
ſhall by judgement divine
Be darke; his candle ſhall with him
be quench'd, and never ſhine.
7 The ſteps of all his greateſt ſtrength
ſhall ſtraitned be moſt faſt▪
And his own counſell ſtill perverſe
ſhall quickly downe him caſt.
8 For he by his owne fooliſh feet
is caſt into a net,
And ſo he raſhly walkes upon
a ſnare that's for him ſet.
9 The grin that is laid downe for him,
ſhall take him by the heele;
And robbers by their violence
againſt him ſhall prevaile.
10 The ſnare for him is in the ground
laid, both by night and day;
And for him a deceitfull trap
is ſtill ſet in the way,
11 Great terrours ſhall on every ſide
him fearfully affright,
And ſhall even drive him to his feet,
with a moſt ſpeedy flight.
12 With pinching hunger ever ſhall
be bitten all his ſtrength,
And ready ſhall deſtruction be
even at his ſide at length.
13 The greateſt ſtrength it of his skin
ſhall ſwallow leſſe or more,
Yea, even of death ſhall the firſt borne
his greateſt ſtrength devore.
14 His confidence out of his tent
ſhall cleane be rooted out,
And it ſhall bring him to the King
of terrours round about.
15 It in his tent ſhall ſurely dwell,
becauſe its none of his:
Upon his habitation ſhall
brimſtone be ſcattred thus.
16 His roots which ſeem'd great ſap to have,
ſhall be dried up beneath,
His branch above ſhall be cut off
together from the earth.
17 From the earth his rememberance
ſhall periſh with great ſhame,
And he among men in the ſtreet
ſhall not have any name.
18 He from the light that ſhines on earth
ſhall be to darkneſſe driven,
Out of the world he ſhall be
chaſd from the morne to even.
19 He neither ſon nor nephew ſhall
among his people have,
Nor any in his houſe to dwell
when he goes to the grave.
20 They that come after him ſhall be
aſtonied at his day,
As they that went before him were
affrighted ſore alway.
21 Surely ſuch are the dwellings of
the wicked wanting grace,
Of him that doth not know the LORD,
this is the very place.
Chap. 19.
THen Job anſwer'd, and ſaid to them;
how long (as with ſharp ſwords)
2 Will ye my ſoul thus vexe, and cut
in pieces with your wordes?
3 Theſe ten times ye reproached have
me greatly to defame,
That you your ſelves make ſtrange to me,
you are not touch'd with ſhame.
4 And be it ſo indeede that I,
have err'd, once and againe,
Mine errour truely with my ſelf
doth conſtantly remaine.
5 If ye indeede againſt me will
your ſelves thus magnifie;
As als againſt me my reproach
plead moſt deſpightfully.
6 Know now that GOD hath overthrowne
me without any let;
And in my great diſtreſſe he hath
me compaſſ'd with his net.
7 Behold out of my greevous wrong
I doe cry by and by,
But am not heard; no judgement is,
though I aloud do cry.
8 He hath ſure fenced up my way,
that I it cannot paſſe,
And he alſo hath darkneſſe black
even ſet in all my paths.
9 He hath me of my glory great
cleane ſtriped all indeed,
And he alſo the royall Crowne
hath taken from mine head.
10 On each ſide he me hath deſtroy'd,
as ye may clearly ſee:
My ſureſt hope he hath alſo
removed like a tree.
11 He alſo kindled hath his wrath
againſt me by and by,
And alſo counteth that to him
an enemie am I.
12 His troups together come, and up
their way againſt me raiſe,
My Tabernacle round about
to compaſſe is their praiſe;
13 He hath my brethren from me far
put, as ye now may ſee;
And mine acquaintance deareſt all
eſtranged are from me.
14 My loving kinsfolke failed have
in my neceſſitie,
And my famil…ar friends moſt dear
have all forgotten me.
15 They that dwell in my houſe, my maide
me for a ſtranger right
Do all account, and ſo I am
an aliant in their ſight.
16 My ſpeciall ſervant I did call,
and he no anſwere gave,
I did intreat him with my mouth
that comfort I might have,
17 My breath unto my wife is ſtrange,
though I alwayes did make
My ſute, that ſhe ſhould reſt content,
even for the childrens ſake.
18 Yea, young children me did deſpiſe,
me as a mock to be,
I in diſpleaſure ſoone aroſe,
and they contemned me:
19 My moſt familiar inward friends
they did abhorre me all,
They whom I moſt lov'd turned are
againſt me, great and ſmall.
20 My bone unto my ſkin and fleſh
doth cleave exceeding faſt;
I am eſcaped with the ſkin
ev'n of my teeth at laſt.
21 O ye my friends, have pitie now
on me, whom thus ye ſee,
For the hand of th'almighty GOD
hath greatly troubled me.
22 Why doe ye perſecute, as GOD
not with my fleſh content;
23 Oh that my wordes were writen now!
Oh that they were in print!
24 That they were all moſt clearely grav'n,
even with an yron pen,
And lead, that in the rock for ay
they might be ſeene by men.
25 I know that my REDEEMER lives,
that at the latter day
He ſhall then ſtand upon the earth,
his ſcepter for to ſway.
26 And though after my withred skine
my body, wormes quicklie
Should all deſtroy, yet truſt I ſtill
GOD in my fleſh to ſee.
27 Whom I ſhall ſee even for my ſelf,
and mine eyes ſhall behold,
And not another; though my reines
be all conſum'd as old.
28 But yee ſhould ſay, why perſecute
wee him upon the ground?
If we the maters root could ſee,
he guiltleſſe ſhould be found.
Chap. 20.
THen ſaid Zophar Namaathite,
my thoughts with great diſtaſte,
2 Cauſe me therefore to anſwere thee,
and for this I make haſte.
3 I of my moſt ſhamefull reproach
have ſurely heard the check,
And my ſprit that well underſtands,
me to anſwere doth make.
4 Doſt thou not of long time this know,
by great experince,
Since man was placed on the earth,
to have his reſidence,
5 That wicked mens triumphing ſhort
incontinent is paſt;
And that the joyes of th'Hypocrite
but for a moment laſt?
6 Though his excellency to heaven
do mount up by and by,
And though his head even reach unto
the high clouds of the sky,
7 Yet like his owne doung he for ay
ſhall periſh certainly:
They which have ſeene him brave before
ſhall ſay, Now where is he?
8 He as a dreame ſhall flee away,
he ſhall not come in ſight,
He ſhall be chaſd away, even as
a viſion of the night.
9 The eye alſo which him clearly
ſaw, ſhall him no more know;
Nor yet ſhall his place any more
behold him heere below.
10 His children ſhall then ſeek to pleaſe
the poor, even more and more:
Yea, he theſe ill extorted goods,
with his hands ſhall reſtore.
11 His withred bones are full of ſins,
of youth defil'd with luſt,
Which ſurely ſhall lie downe with him
in grave, among the duſt.
12 Though wickedneſſe, to be abhord,
be in his mouth moſt ſweet,
Though he under his tongue alſo
hide it as dainty meat.
13 Though he it ſpare, and not forſake,
but in mouth keep it ſtill;
14 Yet his meat in his bowels is
turn'd into aſpes gall.
15 He riches ſwallowd downe hath, and
ſhall vomite them againe,
Out of his belly caſt them out
GOD ſhall with great diſdaine.
16 Of aſpes the poiſon he ſhall ſuck,
him vipers tongues ſhall ſlay,
17 Of hony, butter, brookes, and floods
he ſhall not ſee for ay.
18 That which he greatly labour'd for
he ſurely ſhall reſtore,
Doe what he can, it ſwallow downe
He ſhall not any more.
According to his ſubſtance ſhall
his reſtutition be:
And he ſhall not rejoyce therein,
as in proſperitie.
19 Becauſe he hath forſaken, and
oppreſt the poor alway,
And houſes which he builded not,
by force hath reft away.
20 Surely he in his belly ſhall
not quietneſſe then have,
Hee of that which he moſt deſir'd
nothing at all ſhall ſave?
21 There ſhall none of his daintie meat
be left, even leſſe or more,
For his goods which he up did heap,
no man ſhall looke therefore.
22 In fulneſſe he and plentie much
in fearefull ſtraits ſhall be,
The hands of wicked men ſhall come
upon him ſuddenlie.
23 When his great bellie fill he would
GOD ſhall upon him caſt,
And raine on him his furious wrath,
while he is eating faſt.
24 He from the yron weapon ſhall
flee, which he ſure ſhall feele;
He ſhall fiercely be ſtriken through,
even with a bow of ſteele.
25 Its draw'n, and from the body comes
the gliſtring ſword anone
Moſt fiercely comes out of his gall;
terrours are him upon;
26 All darkeneſſe in his places ſhall
moſt ſecretly be hidde,
A fire not blowen by force of men
ſhall him conſume with ſppeed.
What ever he does, or yet intends,
with him it ſhall go ill:
That which ſhall be left in his tent
ſhall be deſtroyed ſtill.
27 The heaven ſhall all his ſins reveale,
gainſt him ſhall riſe the earth,
28 His goods and increaſe ſhall depart
in the day of his wrath.
29 This is the wickeds portion all,
from God in every point;
And als the heritage which God
unto him doth appoint.
Chap. 21.
BUt to Zophar Job anſwered then,
what is now ſaid by me:
2 Heare and conſider, and let this
your conſolations be▪
3 Now ſuffer me that I may ſpeake
a little as I can,
And after that I ſpoken have
then may ye ſtill mock on.
4 As for me, my complaint to man
is not made as ye ſee,
If it were ſo, why ſhould my ſprite
not greatly troubled be?
5 Mark me, and be aſtoniſh'd, and
your hand on your mouth lay;
6 When I remember this, I am
with feare afraide alway.
7 Wherefore live wicked men, and als
become old with great might
8 Their off-ſpring is eſtabliſh'd faſt
and their ſeed in their ſight.
Gods heavy rod is not on them,
their houſes ſtand moſt faſt
10 Their bull genrdeth and faileth not
their cowes their calves not caſt
11 They like a flocke their little ones
ſend foorth, their children dance;
12 With tymbrell, harpe, and organes ſound
they cheare their countenance.
13 In wealth they ſpend their dayes, to grave
they go without delay,
14 Therefore they bid the LORD depart,
and will not know his way.
15 What is th'Almighty that we ſhould
take care him for to ſerve?
What profite is to pray to him
that he would us preſerve?
16 Lo, for all that into their hand
their good things yet not be,
The counſell of all wicked men
let it be far from me.
17 The candle of the wicked man
how oft is it put out?
How oft comes their deſtruction,
and ſorrowes round about?
18 They like the withred ſtubble are
before the winde alway,
And as the chaff, that ſtormy blaſts
doth cary all away.
19 God his iniquitie layes up,
even for his children all;
In juſtice he rewardeth him,
and it well know he ſhall.
20 His eyes ſhall his deſtruction ſee,
which ſhall make him to ſhrinke;
He of the wrath moſt ſurely ſhall
of the Almighty drinke.
21 For after him what pleaſure hath
he in his houſe alwayes,
When as his moneths are cut off
in the midſt of his dayes?
12 Shall any man GOD knowledge teach,
that hid things he may ſee?
Is he not he that judgeth thoſe
that are exalted hie?
23 One being wholly at his eaſe,
in his full ſtrength doth die:
24 His breaſts of milk are full, his bones
with marrow moiſtned be.
25 Another in ſoules bitterneſſe
with joy eats not at all,
26 They ſhall alike lie downe in duſt,
the wormes them cover ſhall.
27 Behold your inward thoughts I know
and which ye wrongfully
Devices ill imagine ſtill,
in great wrath againſt me;
28 For yee ſay, Where is of the Prince
the houſe? Yea, more us tell,
Where are theſe great and wicked men,
and where now do they dwell?
29 Have ye not asked carefully
them that go by the way?
May yee not all moſt eaſily
their tokens know alway?
30 That wicked men reſerved are
unto the day of death,
They all ſhall ſurely be brought foorth,
unto the day of wrath.
31 Who ſhall in fury to his face
plainely declare his way,
And who ſhall him what he hath done
deſervedly repay?
32 Yet after all ſhall he be brought
unto the ſtinking grave,
And in the tomb his reſidence
he conſtantly ſhall have.
33 The valley clods ſhall unto him
be ſweet, all leſſe or more
Shall draw to him, as numbers great
are alwayes him before.
34 How then do yee moſt fooliſhly
me comfort now in vaine,
Seeing that in your anſwers all
great falſhhood doth remaine?
Chap. 22.
THen Eliphaz anſwered anone,
2 Can man unto God be
So profitable, as the wiſe
is to himſelfe ſurely?
3 To th' Almighty pleaſure is it,
that righteous thou remaine?
Or that thou mak'ſt thy wayes perfite,
is it unto him gaine?
4 Will he thee with ſharp words reprove,
for any fear of thee?
Will he with thee in judgement wroth
thus enter furiouſly?
5 Is not thy ſin ſo great, that it
in greatneſſe doth ſurpaſſe,
And wicked deeds ev'n infinit
wherein thou doſt treſpaſſe?
6 For from thy brother thou a pledge
haſt taken ſure for nought,
And ſtrip'd the naked of their cloths,
for which they ſore had wrought.
7 Thou to the weary haſt not given
water to drinke in need,
And from the hungry man alſo
thou haſt withholden bread.
8 But O! as for the mighty man,
who highly did excell,
He had the earth, and th'eminent
in it did richly dwell.
9 Thou widowes poor haſt ſent away,
which now moſt empty be,
And of the fatherleſſe the armes
have broken been by thee.
10 Therefore ſnares are thee round about,
feare ſudden troubleth thee;
11 Much waters cov'r thee, Or darkneſſe,
ſo that thou canſt not ſee.
12 Is not GOD in the height of heaven,
whence he doth all things ſee?
Behold, and als conſider well,
the Starres how high they be.
13 And yet thou ſay'ſt, How doth the LORD
all things know and remarke?
Can he by wiſedome great diſcerne,
even through the cloud moſt darke!
14 Thick clouds above ſo cover him,
that he can nothing ſee:
And in the circuit of the heaven
he walketh gloriouſlie;
13 In wiſedome haſt thou not deſerv'd
the courſe that GOD of old
Hath wont to take of theſe that are
in wickedneſſe moſt bold?
16 Which out of time by GODS great wrath
were cut downe as they ſtood.
Whoſe foundation was overflowne
as with a mighty flood.
17 Which proudly ſaid unto the LORD,
from us quickly depart:
What can from us th' Almighty doe,
to help us in our ſmart.
18 Yet all their houſes with good things,
he hath made full to be,
But counſell ill of wicked men
is far away from me.
19 The righteous men that live on earth
it ſee, and are moſt glad,
And th' innocent them laugh to ſcorne,
in their deſtruction ſad.
20 Whereas our ſubſtance permanent
ſtands both by night and day
Not cut downe, but what reſts to them
the fire conſumes away.
21 Thy ſelf now with him in thy wayes
acquaint moſt carefullie,
And be at peace, for ſure thereby
much good ſhall come to thee.
22 I pray thee from his mouth receive
the law in every part,
And ſee that thou lay up his wotds
in th' inward of thine heart.
23 If to th' Almighty thou returne,
thou ſhalt be built for ay,
Iniquitie thou from thy tent
then ſhalt put far away.
24 Then as the duſt thou ſhalt the gold,
even lay up by and by,
The gold of Ophir as the ſtones
which in the brookes do lye.
25 Yea, the almighty (by his power)
thy ſure defence ſhall be;
And as for ſilver thou ſhalt have
of it a great plentie.
26 For then in the Almighty thou
ſhall by his ſaveing grace
Have thy delight, and unto GOD
ſhalt glade lift up thy face.
27 Thy prayer thou ſhalt unto him
make with great zeale alway,
And he thee heare ſhall, and thou ſhalt
to him thy vowes all pay.
28 Thou ſhalt a thing decree alſo,
and it eſtabliſh'd all
To thee ſhall be; upon thy wayes,
the light ſhine clearely ſhall.
29 When men are caſt downe, then thou ſhalt
there's lifting up, well ſay;
The humble perſone ſave he ſhall
by his great power alway.
30 For the ſake of the innocent
he will an Iſland ſave,
If that thy hands were ſuch, thou might
from God like freedome have.
Chap. 23.
THen Job anſwer'd to Eliphaz,
even to this day my mones
Moſt bitter are, my ſtroke it is
more heavy then my grones.
3 O that I knew where I him might
finde in this wretched ſtate!
That with all boldneſſe I might come
even to his juſtice ſeat.
4 My cauſe before his Majeſty
I would well order ſtill:
My mouth with arguments alſo
I would moſt gladly fill.
5 The wordes I would moſt ſurely know,
which he would anſwer me,
And underſtand what he would ſay
in miſerie to me.
6 Will he againſt me with his power
in wrath begin to plead?
No, but he would in mercy great
put ſtrength in me indeed.
7 There with him then the righteous might
to diſpute be moſt free:
So thus for ever from my Judge
I ſhould delivered be.
8 Behold I foreward goe, but he
is not there as I crave:
I alſo backward go, but I
him can not then perceive.
9 On the left hand where he doth work,
but him I not behold;
He hides himſelf on the right hand,
that I him ſee not ſhould.
10 But he the way that I do take
moſt clearly doth behold;
And when he hath well tryed me
I ſhall come foorth as gold.
11 My foot his ſteps moſt conſtantly,
hath held, alſo his way
I keeped have, and have not once
from it declin'd away.
12 I from his precepts ſtart not back,
which are both grave and good;
His words I have eſteem'd more then
my neceſſary food.
13 But what he hath once in his minde,
who can him turn therefro?
And what his ſoul deſireth once
even that he doth alſo.
14 For he performes the thing that is
appointed ſtill for me,
And many ſuch things are with him
after his owne decree.
15 Therefore I at his preſence great
am troubled very ſore
When I conſider, I of him
afraide am more and more.
16 For God by his moſt bleſſed hand
doth ſoften all my heart,
And the Almighty troubleth me
with painefull greefe and ſmart.
17 Becauſe before darkeneſſe I was
not cut off in my place,
And that he had not cov'red well
the darkneſſe from my face.