The Bible, Douay-Rheims Part 324

33:2. Behold now I have opened my mouth, let my tongue speak within my jaws.

33:3. My words are from my upright heart, and my lips shall speak a pure sentence.

33:4. The spirit of G.o.d made me, and the breath of the Almighty gave me life.

33:5. If thou canst, answer me, and stand up against my face.

33:6. Behold G.o.d hath made me as well as thee, and of the same clay I also was formed.

33:7. But yet let not my wonder terrify thee, and let not my eloquence be burdensome to thee.

33:8. Now thou hast said in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words:

33:9. I am clean, and without sin: I am unspotted, and there is no iniquity in me.

33:10. Because he hath found complaints against me, therefore he hath counted me for his enemy.

33:11. He hath put my feet in the stocks, he hath observed all my paths.

33:12. Now this is the thing in which thou art not justified: I will answer thee, that G.o.d is greater than man.

33:13. Dost thou strive against him, because he hath not answered thee to all words?

33:14. G.o.d speaketh once, and repeateth not the selfsame thing the second time.

33:15. By a dream in a vision by night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, and they are sleeping in their beds:

33:16. Then he openeth the ears of men, and teaching instructeth them in what they are to learn.

33:17. That he may withdraw a man from the things he is doing, and may deliver him from pride.

33:18. Rescuing his soul from corruption: and his life from pa.s.sing to the sword.

33:19. He rebuketh also by sorrow in the bed, and he maketh all his bones to wither.

33:20. Bread becometh abominable to him in his life, and to his soul the meat which before he desired.

33:21. His flesh shall be consumed away, and his bones that were covered shall be made bare.

33:22. His soul hath drawn near to corruption, and his life to the destroyers.

33:23. If there shall be an angel speaking for him, one among thousands, to declare man's uprightness,

33:24. He shall have mercy on him, and shall say: Deliver him, that he may not go down to corruption: I have found wherein I may be merciful to him.

33:25. His flesh is consumed with punishments, let him return to the days of his youth.

33:26. He shall pray to G.o.d, and he will be gracious to him: and he shall see his face with joy, and he will render to man his justice.

33:27. He shall look upon men, and shall say: I have sinned, and indeed I have offended, and I have not received what I have deserved.

33:28. He hath delivered his soul from going into destruction, that it may live and see the light.

33:29. Behold, all these things G.o.d worketh three times within every one.

33:30. That he may withdraw their souls from corruption, and enlighten them with the light of the living.

33:31. Attend, Job, and hearken to me, and hold thy peace, whilst I speak.

33:32. But if thou hast any thing to say, answer me, speak: for I would have thee to appear just.

33:33. And if thou have not, hear me: hold thy peace, and I will teach thee wisdom.

Job Chapter 34

Eliu charges Job with blasphemy: and sets forth the power and justice of G.o.d.

34:1. And Eliu continued his discourse, and said:

34:2. Hear ye, wise men, my words, and ye learned, hearken to me:

34:3. For the ear trieth words, and the mouth discerneth meats by the taste.

34:4. Let us choose to us judgment, and let us see among ourselves what is the best.

34:5. For Job hath said: I am just, and G.o.d hath overthrown my judgment.

34:6. For in judging me there is a lie: my arrow is violent without any sin.

34:7. What man is there like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water?

34:8. Who goeth in company with them that work iniquity, and walketh with wicked men?

34:9. For he hath said: Man shall not please G.o.d, although he run with him.

34:10. Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me: far from G.o.d be wickedness, and iniquity from the Almighty.

34:11. For he will render to a man his work, and according to the ways of every one he will reward them.

34:12. For in very deed G.o.d will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

34:13. What other hath he appointed over the earth? or whom hath he set over the world which he made?

34:14. If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself.

34:15. All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes.

34:16. If then thou hast understanding, hear what is said, and hearken to the voice of my words.