K5 P 1-5. Censure of his friends for their reproaches.
Q 6-20. Complaints of God's dealings as his enemy.
Q 21-27. Appeal to his hope in God as his Redeemer.
P 28,29. Warning to his friends to ease their reproaches.
1656 B.C.
Job 19)
1 Then Job replied and said,
2 "How long will you vex me, and break me in pieces with words?
3 These ten times have you reproached me: you are not ashamed that you make yourselves insolent to me.
4 And be it indeed that I have erred, my error remains with myself. (I.e. is my own affair.)
5 If indeed you will magnify yourselves against me, and plead against me my reproach:
6 Know now that GOD (Eloah) has overthrown me, and has compassed me with His net.
7 Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment.
8 He has fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and He has set darkness in my paths.
9 He has stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head.
10 He has crushed me on every side, and I am gone: and my hope has he uprooted like a tree.
11 He has also kindled His wrath against me, and He counts me to Him as one of His enemies.
12 His troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp round about my tent.
13 He has put my brethren far from me, and my acquaintance are verily estranged from me.
14 My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.
15 They that dwell in my house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight.
16 I called my servant, and he gave me no answer; I entreated him with my mouth.
17 My breath is offensive to my wife, though I entreated for the son's sake (i.e. had his son's not died) of my own body.
18 Yes, the very boys (or, young miscreants) despised me; I would fain rise, and they spoke against me.
19 All my intimate friends (confidential friends) abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me.
20 My bone cleaves to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the gums.
21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O you my friends; for the hand of GOD has stricken me.
22 Why do you persecute me as GOD (El), and are not satisfied with my flesh?
23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
24 That they were engraved with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!
25 For I know that my Redeemer (= next of kin. See Ex. 6:6, and cp. Ruth 2:20; 4:1,3,6. Isa. 59:20) lives, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the dust of [the earth]:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see GOD:
27 Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not a stranger; though my reins be consumed within me. (A pause must be made between v.27,28.)
28 But you shall then say, 'Why persecute we him, Why see a root of blame in him?'
29 Be you afraid of the sword: for wrath brings the punishment of the sword, that you may know that judgment will be executed."