Job 20:1-29 Zophar Answers Job with Baseless Claims

 

Zophar Answers Job with Baseless Claims

Job 20:1-29                                  Book of Job [in Smaller Chunks]

Then, Zophar, the Naamathite, answered & said, [For this reason,] my thoughts cause me to [hurry] & answer. I have heard the [verifying] of my [disgrace] & my spirit of understanding, causes me to answer.

[Didn't] you [know] this of [ancient times,] since man was placed on the earth, that the [triumph] of the wicked is short & the joy of a hypocrite [is only] for a moment?

[Although Job's] excellence [reaches] to heaven & his head [reaches] to the clouds, he [still] shall perish forever like his own [feces.] [Those who] have seen him, shall say, Where is [Job?] He shall fly away [like] a dream [is no longer] found. [Job] shall [disappear like] a vision in the night.

Also, the eye [that] saw him, shall see him no [longer.] Neither shall [any in] his place [see Job] any more. His children shall [try] to please the poor & restore their [possessions] [on his behalf.]

His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall [go] down [to the grave] with him in the [dirt.]. [Although, words of] wickedness in his mouth [are] sweet to [Job,] he [hides] it under his tongue. [Although,] he [doesn't abandon it,] but still [keeps] it within his mouth.

[Still,] the meat in his [stomach has] turned [sour] & [it has become like the poison of snakes] within him. [Job] has swallowed down riches & will vomit them up again. God will cast them out of his [stomach.] he shall suck [out] the poison of the [cobra’s] tongue & [kill it.]

[Job] shall not see: the rivers, the floods, the brooks [in the land with] honey & butter. [Job] shall restore [what] he [worked] for & shall not [be able to] swallow it down.

[Job] shall [make] restitution according to his [wealth & possessions] & shall not rejoice [in them,] because [Job] has oppressed & has [abandoned] the poor & he has violently taken away a house [that] he [didn't build.]

[Certainly,] he shall not [have a calm stomach] & he shall not save [what] he desired. None of his [food] there will be left, therefore no man shall look for his [possessions.] [Despite all of Job's wealth, Job shall be in a tight place.]

Every hand of the wicked shall come upon him. When he's about to fill his [stomach,] God shall cast the fury of His [anger] on [Job] while he's eating, it shall rain upon him. [Job] shall flee from iron [weapons, but] the bow of steel shall strike through him. It is drawn & comes out of the body. [Yes,] the glittering sword comes out of his [liver.]

[Extreme fear is] upon him. All darkness shall be [hidden] in [its] secret places & an [unfanned] fire shall consume [Job.] It shall go [poorly] for [those who are] left in [Job's tent.]

The heaven shall reveal [Job's sin] & the earth shall rise up against him. The increase of his [family’s wealth] shall depart & his [possessions] shall [fly] away [& disappear on] the day of [God's fury.] This is the portion [due] to a wicked man from God & the heritage God [has] appointed to him.

Job 19:1-29 Job Answers Bildad's Arguments

 

Job Answers Bildad's Arguments

Job 19:1-29                                 Book of Job [in Smaller Chunks]

Then, Job answered & said, How long will you [trouble] my soul & [tear] me to pieces with [your] words? You have [argued] with me these 10 times. You aren't ashamed that you have [treated me so harshly.]

And if I have indeed erred, [my errors remain] with [me.] If you will indeed magnify yourselves against me & plead my [disgrace] against me, know now that the [Lord] God has overthrown me & [surrounded] me with His net.

[Look,] I cry out of wrong [doing,] but I'm not heard. I cry aloud, but there's no [justice.] [God] has fenced up my [road, so] that I can’t pass & He has [put] darkness in my paths. He has stripped me of my glory & has taken the crown from my head. He has destroyed me on every side & I'm gone. He has removed my hope, like a tree [is removed.]

He has also kindled His anger against me & [God considers] me [like] one of His enemies. His troops come together & raise up their [embankment] against me & [set up camp around my tent.] [God] has put my brethren far from me & [my] acquaintances are [truly distanced] from me.

My [relatives] have failed [to be supportive of me] & my [close] friends have forgotten me. [Those who live] in [my] house & my maids [consider] me a stranger. I am an [foreigner] in their sight. I called my servant with my mouth, [but] he [didn't] answer me.

My breath is strange to my wife [even though] I [begged on behalf] for the children’s sake [from my] own body. [Yes,] young children [despise] me. I arose & they [spoke] against me. All my [close] friends are [disgusted by] me & [those] whom I loved, [have] turned against me.

My [bones cling] to my flesh & skin. I [have] escaped [by] the skin of my teeth. Have pity on me, O you my friends; for the hand of God has touched me. Have pity on me. Why do you persecute me & aren't satisfied with my flesh, [like] God?

Oh, that my words were [already] written & were printed in a book! That they were [engraved] with an iron pen [with] lead [like ink] in the rock forever!

* For I know that my Redeemer lives & that He shall stand [on the Last] Day upon the earth, [even] though [it's] after the worms destroy this body. Yet, in my flesh, I shall see God; Whom I shall see for myself.

[Revelation 21:6-7 And He said to me, It is done. I am [the] Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give to him [who is thirsty from] the fountain of the Water of Life freely. He [who] overcomes shall inherit all things & I will be his God & he shall be [like] My Son.]

Any [my] eyes shall & [see God] & not another, [although my heart strings are destroyed] within me. But you should say, Why [do] we persecute him, seeing [that] the [cause] of the [problem] is found in me?

[You should] be afraid of the sword. For [fury] brings the sword of [punishment, so] you may know there is [justice.]

Job 18:1-21 Bildad Responds to Job

 

Bildad Responds to Job

Job 18:1-21                                  Book of Job [in Smaller Chunks]

Then, Bildad, the Shuhite, answered & said, How long will it be [before you stop talking?] [Write it down] & afterwards we will speak. [Why] are we [considered like wild animals & disgusting] in your sight?

In his anger, he tears [at] himself. Shall the earth be [abandoned] for you? And shall the rock be removed out of [its] place? The light of the wicked shall be put out & the spark of [its] fire shall not shine.

[Yet,] the light of the wicked shall be put out & the spark of his candle shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his [tent] & [Job's] candle shall be put out with him. [Job 21:17 How [often] the candle of the wicked [is] put out! And how [often] comes their destruction upon them! In His anger, God distributes sorrows.]

The steps of [Job's remaining] strength shall be [narrowed] & [he] shall [be] cast down [by] his own [advice.] For by his own feet, he [walked into a trap] & he is [thrown] into a net.

The [trap] shall [catch] him by the heel & the robber shall prevail against him. The snare is laid for him in the ground & a trap for him in the [road.]

[Extreme fear] shall make him afraid on every side & shall drive him to his feet. His strength shall [depleted by hunger] & destruction shall be [prepared] at his side. It shall devour the strength of his [body.]

Even the firstborn of death shall devour his strength. His confidence shall be [uprooted from his tent] & it shall bring him to the king of terrors. [They] shall dwell in his [tent, who are] not his [family.]

Brimstone shall be scattered [where he lives.] His roots shall be [shriveled] up [below] & his branch shall [be] cut off above. [The memory of him] shall perish from the earth & [his] name shall [not be remembered] in the street.

[Job] shall be driven from [the] light into darkness & [be] chased out of the world. Neither shall [Job] have [a] son, [a] nephew, nor any remaining among his people & in his dwellings.

[Those who] come after him, shall be [astonished] at [the] day [of his death] [like those who] went before [him] were [frightened.] Surely, such are the dwellings of the wicked & this is the place of [those who don't know] God.

Job 17:1-16 Job Continues Speaking

 

Job Continues Speaking

Job 17:1-16                                  Book of Job [in Smaller Chunks]

My breath is [rotten like death] & my days are [soon to be] extinct & the graves are ready for me.

[Psalm 88:3-4 For my soul is full of troubles & my life draws [near to] the grave. I am [considered] with [those who] go down into the pit. I am [like] a man without] strength.]

Aren't [these] mockers with me? Doesn't [my] eye continue to [focus on] their [provoking me?] [Job 12:4 Am I [like someone] mocked [by] his neighbor, [who] calls upon God & He answers him. The [self-righteous] man is laughed [at & looked down upon.]

[Let me] lay down now [in death.] Put me in a [pledge] with You. Who will [shake] hands [to seal the deal] with me? For You have [hidden] their [hearts] from understanding.

Therefore, You shall not exalt them. He, [who] speaks [flattering lies] to his friends, even the eyes of his children shall fail. [God] has also made me [a parable of warning for] the people.

[Before this time,] I was [like a tambourine] [for joy.] [Because of] sorrow, [my] eyes are dim & all my [body] members are [like] a shadow.

[Honorable] men shall be astonished at this & the innocent shall [be stirred up] against the hypocrite. [Mark 7:6 He answered & said, Well has [Isaiah] prophesied of you hypocrites, [like] it is written, This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.]

Also, the righteous shall hold on to his [path] & he [who] has clean hands shall [become] stronger & stronger. But as for all [of] you, [please] return & come [back again.]

For, I can't find one wise man among you. My days are past & my purposes & the [desires] of my heart are [ended.] They change he night into day; the light is short, because of [the] darkness.

If I wait, the grave is [my home] & I have made my bed in the darkness. I have said to [rotting,] You are my father & to the worm, You are my mother & my sister.

And where is my hope now? As for my hope, who shall see it? [My hopes] shall go down to the bars [of the gate] of the pit [in death,] when our rest together is in the [dirt.]

Job 16:1-22 Job Doesn't Appreciate Their So-Called Advice

 

Job Doesn't Appreciate Their So-Called Advice

Job 16:1-22                                  Book of Job [in Smaller Chunks]

Then, Job answered & said, I have heard many things such [as this.] You all are miserable comforters. Shall [your] vain [worthless] words [ever] have an end? What [provokes] you that you [answer?]

If [you] were in my [place,] I also could speak [like] you do. I could heap up words against you & shake my head against you. But, [instead,] I would strengthen you with [the words of] my mouth. And my lips moving [would relieve] your grief.

[Although] I speak, my grief isn't [relieved] & [although I remain silent, how] am I eased? But now, [God] has made me [tired] & you, all my company [of friends,] have made [me feel] desolate [& alone.]

And You have filled me with wrinkles, [that] witness against me. And my [thinness] rising up [within] me, is [visible in] my face. [My] enemy sharpens his eyes on me & tears [at] me in his [anger & bites] upon me with his teeth.

They have gathered themselves together against me & gaped upon me, with their [mouths wide open.] They have [struck] me on the cheek in [disgust.]  [Mark 15:15-20 And so Pilate, willing to [please] the people, released Barabas to them & delivered Jesus to be crucified, when he had [whipped] Him.

And the soldiers led Him away into the hall, called Praetorium & they [called] together the whole band. And they clothed Him with purple & [wove] a crown of thorns & put it [around] His head & began to salute Him, Hail, King of the Jews!

And they [struck] him on the head with a reed & spit upon Him & bowing their knees, worshiped Him. And when they had mocked Him, they took off the purple from Him & put His own clothes on Him & led Him out to crucify Him.]

God has delivered Me to the ungodly & turned Me over into the hands of the wicked. I [had been] at ease, but He has broken Me [down] & taken Me by the neck & shaken Me to pieces & [put] Me as His target. His archers [surround Me.]  He [cuts] my [heart strings into pieces] & doesn't spare [Me.] He pours out My gall upon the ground.

[John 19:32-37 Then the soldiers came & [broke] the legs of the 1st & the other, [who were] crucified with Him. *But when they came to Jesus & saw that He was dead already, they [didn’t] break his legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side & [immediately,] blood & water came out there.

And he, [who] saw it, bare record & his record is true, [so] that you may believe. * For these things were done, [so] that the scriptures should be fulfilled, A bone of Him shall not be broken. *And again, another scripture says, They shall look on him, Whom they pierced.]

He breaks me [down,] [wound upon wound] & [tramples] on me like a giant. I have sewed sackcloth to [put on] my [body in mourning] & [was disgraced by laying my head] in the dust.

[Psalm 7:5 Let the enemy persecute my soul & take it. [Yet,] let him [trample] down my life upon the earth & lay my honor in the dust.] My face is [flushed from] weeping & my eyelids [look like] the shadow of death, not [from] any injustice [done by] [my] hands.

My prayer is also [without blame.] O earth, [don't] cover [up] my blood & [don't let there be] no place for my [cries for help.] Also, [look] now, my witness & my record [are] in heaven, on high [with the Lord God.]

My friends [look down on] me, but [my eyes] pour out tears to God. O that [someone] might plead with God for a man, [like] a man pleads for his neighbor!

[Romans 9:20 [No,] O man, but who are you that you [talk back] against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him, [Who] formed it, Why have You made me [like this?] [After] a few years, then I shall [die] & go the way [from which] I shall not return.

[Job 10:21-22 Before I go [where] I shall not return, even to the land of darkness & the shadow of death. A land of darkness, [like] darkness itself & of the shadow of death, without any order & where the light is [like] darkness.]

Job 15:1-35 Eliphaz Questions Job

 

Eliphaz Questions Job

Job 15:1-35                                 Book of Job [in Smaller Chunks]

Then, Eliphaz, the Temanite, answered & said, Should a wise man utter [worthless] vain knowledge & fill his [stomach] with [hot air from] the east wind? Should [his reasoning be unproductive] talk? Or with speeches, [with which] he can do no good?

[Yet,] you cast [away] fear [respect] & [limit] prayer before God. For your mouth utters your [sinfulness] & you choose the [words of the devious.] Your own mouth condemns you, not I. [Yet,] your own lips testify against you. Are you the first man, [who] was born? Or [were] you made before the hills?

[Psalm 90:1-2 Lord, You have been our dwelling place [through] all generations. Before the mountains were brought [out,] or You ever formed the earth & the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.]

Have you heard the secret of God? And [do] you [withhold] wisdom [for] yourself? What [do] you know, that we [don't] know? What [do] you understand [that] isn't [within] us?

[Between] us are both the gray-headed & the very aged men, much [older] than your father. Are [God's comfort too little for] you? [Are] there any secret [things you’ve kept] with you?

Why does your heart [lead you astray?] And [who] do your eyes wink at, [so] that you turn your spirit against God & let such words [come] out of your mouth?

[Psalm 35:19-20 Let [those who] are [My] enemies wrongfully rejoice over Me & & neither let [those] wink with the eye [who] hated Me without a cause. For they [don't] speak [peacefully;] but they [plan] deceitful [plots] against [those who] are [living quietly] in the land.]

What is man, that he should be clean? And should he be righteous [who] is born of a woman? [Look, God] puts no trust in His saints; [yet,] the heavens aren't clean in His sight.

How much more [detestable] & filthy is man, who] drinks [up] [sin] like water? I will [explain, listen to] me & I will declare [what] I've seen. [What] wise men have told, from their [forefathers] & haven't [hidden] it; Unto whom alone the [land] was given & no stranger passed among them.

[Joshua 21:43-45 And the Lord gave to Israel all the land [that] He [had sworn] to give to their [forefathers] & they possessed it & [lived in it there.] And the Lord gave them rest [all around,] according to all that [God swore] to their [forefathers.]

And there [wasn't] a man of all their enemies [who] stood before them. The Lord delivered all their enemies into their [hands.] [Nothing] failed [to happen] of any good thing [that] the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.]

The wicked man [writhes] with pain all his days & the number of years is hidden [from] the oppressor. A dreadful sound [rings] in his ears & [during] prosperity, the destroyer shall come upon him.

[1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 For [you,] yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord, [shall] come [like] a thief in the night. For when they shall say, [There's] peace & safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them, [like] the [labor pains] upon the woman [delivering] a child & they shall not escape.]

[Job doesn't] believe he shall return out [from] darkness & he is [waiting] for the sword. He wanders [around] for bread, saying, Where is it? He knows that the day of darkness is [already] at hand.

[Psalm 59:15 Let them wander up & down for [food] & [be displeased] if they aren't [full.] Trouble & anguish shall make him afraid. They shall [accomplish what is attempted] against him, [like] a king [who prepares for] the battle.

For he [stretched] out his hand against God & [is defiant] against the Almighty. He runs [toward God,] even [butting against] His neck, with a thick, [strong shield,] because his face & [ribs are protected by] fat.

And he dwells in [the abandoned & empty] cities & in houses, which are ready to become [garbage] heaps, that no man [lives in.] He shall not  be rich & neither shall his [possessions] continue. Neither shall he prolong [its] perfection upon the earth.

[Job 20:29 This is the portion of a wicked man from God & the heritage appointed to him by God.] He shall not depart [from] darkness. The flame shall dry up his branches, [a.k.a. descendants] & by the breath of [God's] mouth, he shall [blow] away.

[Don't] let him, [who] is deceived trust in [worthless] vanity. For vanity shall be his [repayment.] [Job 35:12-13 There they cry [out,] but [no one answers,] because of the pride of evil men. Surely, God won't hear vanity, neither will the Almighty [pay attention to] it.]

[His death] shall be accomplished before his time & his [branches] shall not be green. He shall shake off his [unripened grapes] as [if it were] a vine & shall cast off his flower [like] the olive [tree.]

For the congregation of hypocrites shall be desolate [& empty] & fire shall consume the [tents of] bribery. [Those who plan] mischief & [produce what is worthless] vanity, [prepare] their [stomach] for deceit.

[Isaiah 33:1 Woe to you [who plunder] & you weren't [plundered] & [you who behave deceitfully] & they [didn't behave deceitfully to] you! When you [stop plundering,] you shall be [plundered.] And when you [finish behaving deceitfully,] they shall [behave deceitfully] with you.]