אִ֛ישׁ הָיָ֥ה בְאֶֽרֶץ־ע֖וּץ אִיּ֣וֹב שְׁמ֑וֹ וְהָיָ֣ה ׀ הָאִ֣ישׁ הַה֗וּא תָּ֧ם וְיָשָׁ֛ר וִירֵ֥א אֱלֹהִ֖ים וְסָ֥ר מֵרָֽע׃ There was a man in the land of Uz named Job. That man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.

וַיִּוָּ֥לְדוּ ל֛וֹ שִׁבְעָ֥ה בָנִ֖ים וְשָׁל֥וֹשׁ בָּנֽוֹת׃ Seven sons and three daughters were born to him;

וַיְהִ֣י מִ֠קְנֵ֠הוּ שִֽׁבְעַ֨ת אַלְפֵי־צֹ֜אן וּשְׁלֹ֧שֶׁת אַלְפֵ֣י גְמַלִּ֗ים וַחֲמֵ֨שׁ מֵא֤וֹת צֶֽמֶד־בָּקָר֙ וַחֲמֵ֣שׁ מֵא֣וֹת אֲתוֹנ֔וֹת וַעֲבֻדָּ֖ה רַבָּ֣ה מְאֹ֑ד וַֽיְהִי֙ הָאִ֣ישׁ הַה֔וּא גָּד֖וֹל מִכׇּל־בְּנֵי־קֶֽדֶם׃ his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred she-asses, and a very large household. That man was wealthier than anyone in the East.

וְהָלְכ֤וּ בָנָיו֙ וְעָשׂ֣וּ מִשְׁתֶּ֔ה בֵּ֖ית אִ֣ישׁ יוֹמ֑וֹ וְשָׁלְח֗וּ וְקָֽרְאוּ֙ לִשְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת אַחְיֹתֵיהֶ֔ם לֶאֱכֹ֥ל וְלִשְׁתּ֖וֹת עִמָּהֶֽם׃ It was the custom of his sons to hold feasts, each on his set day in his own home. They would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

וַיְהִ֡י כִּ֣י הִקִּ֩יפוּ֩ יְמֵ֨י הַמִּשְׁתֶּ֜ה וַיִּשְׁלַ֧ח אִיּ֣וֹב וַֽיְקַדְּשֵׁ֗ם וְהִשְׁכִּ֣ים בַּבֹּ֘קֶר֮ וְהֶעֱלָ֣ה עֹלוֹת֮ מִסְפַּ֣ר כֻּלָּם֒ כִּ֚י אָמַ֣ר אִיּ֔וֹב אוּלַי֙ חָטְא֣וּ בָנַ֔י וּבֵרְכ֥וּ אֱלֹהִ֖ים בִּלְבָבָ֑ם כָּ֛כָה יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה אִיּ֖וֹב כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃ {פ}
When a round of feast days was over, Job would send word to them to sanctify themselves, and, rising early in the morning, he would make burnt offerings, one for each of them; for Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned and blasphemed God in their thoughts.” This is what Job always used to do.

וַיְהִ֣י הַיּ֔וֹם וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים לְהִתְיַצֵּ֖ב עַל־יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיָּב֥וֹא גַֽם־הַשָּׂטָ֖ן בְּתוֹכָֽם׃ One day the divine beings presented themselves before the LORD, and ^aHeb. ha-satan.the Adversary^-a came along with them.

וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶל־הַשָּׂטָ֖ן מֵאַ֣יִן תָּבֹ֑א וַיַּ֨עַן הַשָּׂטָ֤ן אֶת־יְהֹוָה֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר מִשּׁ֣וּט בָּאָ֔רֶץ וּמֵֽהִתְהַלֵּ֖ךְ בָּֽהּ׃ The LORD said to the Adversary, “Where have you been?” The Adversary answered the LORD, “I have been roaming all over the earth.”

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־הַשָּׂטָ֔ן הֲשַׂ֥מְתָּ לִבְּךָ֖ עַל־עַבְדִּ֣י אִיּ֑וֹב כִּ֣י אֵ֤ין כָּמֹ֙הוּ֙ בָּאָ֔רֶץ אִ֣ישׁ תָּ֧ם וְיָשָׁ֛ר יְרֵ֥א אֱלֹהִ֖ים וְסָ֥ר מֵרָֽע׃ The LORD said to the Adversary, “Have you noticed My servant Job? There is no one like him on earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and shuns evil!”

וַיַּ֧עַן הַשָּׂטָ֛ן אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הַֽחִנָּ֔ם יָרֵ֥א אִיּ֖וֹב אֱלֹהִֽים׃ The Adversary answered the LORD, “Does Job not have good reason to fear God?

הֲלֹֽא־[אַ֠תָּ֠ה] (את) שַׂ֣כְתָּ בַעֲד֧וֹ וּבְעַד־בֵּית֛וֹ וּבְעַ֥ד כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר־ל֖וֹ מִסָּבִ֑יב מַעֲשֵׂ֤ה יָדָיו֙ בֵּרַ֔כְתָּ וּמִקְנֵ֖הוּ פָּרַ֥ץ בָּאָֽרֶץ׃ Why, it is You who have fenced him round, him and his household and all that he has. You have blessed his efforts so that his possessions spread out in the land.

וְאוּלָם֙ שְֽׁלַֽח־נָ֣א יָֽדְךָ֔ וְגַ֖ע בְּכׇל־אֲשֶׁר־ל֑וֹ אִם־לֹ֥א עַל־פָּנֶ֖יךָ יְבָרְכֶֽךָּ׃ But lay Your hand upon all that he has and he will surely blaspheme You to Your face.”

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־הַשָּׂטָ֗ן הִנֵּ֤ה כׇל־אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ֙ בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ רַ֣ק אֵלָ֔יו אַל־תִּשְׁלַ֖ח יָדֶ֑ךָ וַיֵּצֵא֙ הַשָּׂטָ֔ן מֵעִ֖ם פְּנֵ֥י יְהֹוָֽה׃ The LORD replied to the Adversary, “See, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on him.” The Adversary departed from the presence of the LORD.

וַיְהִ֖י הַיּ֑וֹם וּבָנָ֨יו וּבְנֹתָ֤יו אֹֽכְלִים֙ וְשֹׁתִ֣ים יַ֔יִן בְּבֵ֖ית אֲחִיהֶ֥ם הַבְּכֽוֹר׃ One day, as his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother,

וּמַלְאָ֛ךְ בָּ֥א אֶל־אִיּ֖וֹב וַיֹּאמַ֑ר הַבָּקָר֙ הָי֣וּ חֹֽרְשׁ֔וֹת וְהָאֲתֹנ֖וֹת רֹע֥וֹת עַל־יְדֵיהֶֽם׃ a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the she-asses were grazing alongside them

וַתִּפֹּ֤ל שְׁבָא֙ וַתִּקָּחֵ֔ם וְאֶת־הַנְּעָרִ֖ים הִכּ֣וּ לְפִי־חָ֑רֶב וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה רַק־אֲנִ֛י לְבַדִּ֖י לְהַגִּ֥יד לָֽךְ׃ when Sabeans attacked them and carried them off, and put the boys to the sword; I alone have escaped to tell you.”

ע֣וֹד ׀ זֶ֣ה מְדַבֵּ֗ר וְזֶה֮ בָּ֣א וַיֹּאמַר֒ אֵ֣שׁ אֱלֹהִ֗ים נָֽפְלָה֙ מִן־הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וַתִּבְעַ֥ר בַּצֹּ֛אן וּבַנְּעָרִ֖ים וַתֹּֽאכְלֵ֑ם וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה רַק־אֲנִ֛י לְבַדִּ֖י לְהַגִּ֥יד לָֽךְ׃ This one was still speaking when another came and said, “God’s fire fell from heaven, took hold of the sheep and the boys, and burned them up; I alone have escaped to tell you.”

ע֣וֹד ׀ זֶ֣ה מְדַבֵּ֗ר וְזֶה֮ בָּ֣א וַיֹּאמַר֒ כַּשְׂדִּ֞ים שָׂ֣מוּ ׀ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה רָאשִׁ֗ים וַֽיִּפְשְׁט֤וּ עַל־הַגְּמַלִּים֙ וַיִּקָּח֔וּם וְאֶת־הַנְּעָרִ֖ים הִכּ֣וּ לְפִי־חָ֑רֶב וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה רַק־אֲנִ֛י לְבַדִּ֖י לְהַגִּ֥יד לָֽךְ׃ This one was still speaking when another came and said, “A Chaldean formation of three columns made a raid on the camels and carried them off and put the boys to the sword; I alone have escaped to tell you.”

עַ֚ד זֶ֣ה מְדַבֵּ֔ר וְזֶ֖ה בָּ֣א וַיֹּאמַ֑ר בָּנֶ֨יךָ וּבְנוֹתֶ֤יךָ אֹֽכְלִים֙ וְשֹׁתִ֣ים יַ֔יִן בְּבֵ֖ית אֲחִיהֶ֥ם הַבְּכֽוֹר׃ This one was still speaking when another came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in the house of their eldest brother

וְהִנֵּה֩ ר֨וּחַ גְּדוֹלָ֜ה בָּ֣אָה ׀ מֵעֵ֣בֶר הַמִּדְבָּ֗ר וַיִּגַּע֙ בְּאַרְבַּע֙ פִּנּ֣וֹת הַבַּ֔יִת וַיִּפֹּ֥ל עַל־הַנְּעָרִ֖ים וַיָּמ֑וּתוּ וָאִמָּ֨לְטָ֧ה רַק־אֲנִ֛י לְבַדִּ֖י לְהַגִּ֥יד לָֽךְ׃ when suddenly a mighty wind came from the wilderness. It struck the four corners of the house so that it collapsed upon the young people and they died; I alone have escaped to tell you.”

וַיָּ֤קׇם אִיּוֹב֙ וַיִּקְרַ֣ע אֶת־מְעִל֔וֹ וַיָּ֖גׇז אֶת־רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וַיִּפֹּ֥ל אַ֖רְצָה וַיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּ׃ Then Job arose, tore his robe, cut off his hair, and threw himself on the ground and worshiped.

וַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ עָרֹ֨ם יָצָ֜תִי מִבֶּ֣טֶן אִמִּ֗י וְעָרֹם֙ אָשׁ֣וּב שָׁ֔מָּה יְהֹוָ֣ה נָתַ֔ן וַֽיהֹוָ֖ה לָקָ֑ח יְהִ֛י שֵׁ֥ם יְהֹוָ֖ה מְבֹרָֽךְ׃ He said, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; the LORD has given, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

בְּכׇל־זֹ֖את לֹא־חָטָ֣א אִיּ֑וֹב וְלֹא־נָתַ֥ן תִּפְלָ֖ה לֵאלֹהִֽים׃ {פ}
For all that, Job did not sin nor did he cast reproach on God.

וַיְהִ֣י הַיּ֔וֹם וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים לְהִתְיַצֵּ֖ב עַל־יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיָּב֤וֹא גַֽם־הַשָּׂטָן֙ בְּתֹכָ֔ם לְהִתְיַצֵּ֖ב עַל־יְהֹוָֽה׃ One day the divine beings presented themselves before the LORD. The Adversary came along with them to present himself before the LORD.

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־הַשָּׂטָ֔ן אֵ֥י מִזֶּ֖ה תָּבֹ֑א וַיַּ֨עַן הַשָּׂטָ֤ן אֶת־יְהֹוָה֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר מִשֻּׁ֣ט בָּאָ֔רֶץ וּמֵֽהִתְהַלֵּ֖ךְ בָּֽהּ׃ The LORD said to the Adversary, “Where have you been?” The Adversary answered the LORD, “I have been roaming all over the earth.”

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־הַשָּׂטָ֗ן הֲשַׂ֣מְתָּ לִבְּךָ֮ אֶל־עַבְדִּ֣י אִיּוֹב֒ כִּי֩ אֵ֨ין כָּמֹ֜הוּ בָּאָ֗רֶץ אִ֣ישׁ תָּ֧ם וְיָשָׁ֛ר יְרֵ֥א אֱלֹהִ֖ים וְסָ֣ר מֵרָ֑ע וְעֹדֶ֙נּוּ֙ מַחֲזִ֣יק בְּתֻמָּת֔וֹ וַתְּסִיתֵ֥נִי ב֖וֹ לְבַלְּע֥וֹ חִנָּֽם׃ The LORD said to the Adversary, “Have you noticed My servant Job? There is no one like him on earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and shuns evil. He still keeps his integrity; so you have incited Me against him to destroy him for no good reason.”

וַיַּ֧עַן הַשָּׂטָ֛ן אֶת־יְהֹוָ֖ה וַיֹּאמַ֑ר ע֣וֹר בְּעַד־ע֗וֹר וְכֹל֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לָאִ֔ישׁ יִתֵּ֖ן בְּעַ֥ד נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃ The Adversary answered the LORD, ^aApparently a proverb whose meaning is uncertain.“Skin for skin^-a—all that a man has he will give up for his life.

אוּלָם֙ שְֽׁלַֽח־נָ֣א יָֽדְךָ֔ וְגַ֥ע אֶל־עַצְמ֖וֹ וְאֶל־בְּשָׂר֑וֹ אִם־לֹ֥א אֶל־פָּנֶ֖יךָ יְבָרְכֶֽךָּ׃ But lay a hand on his bones and his flesh, and he will surely blaspheme You to Your face.”

וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶל־הַשָּׂטָ֖ן הִנּ֣וֹ בְיָדֶ֑ךָ אַ֖ךְ אֶת־נַפְשׁ֥וֹ שְׁמֹֽר׃ So the LORD said to the Adversary, “See, he is in your power; only spare his life.”

וַיֵּצֵא֙ הַשָּׂטָ֔ן מֵאֵ֖ת פְּנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וַיַּ֤ךְ אֶת־אִיּוֹב֙ בִּשְׁחִ֣ין רָ֔ע מִכַּ֥ף רַגְל֖וֹ (עד) [וְעַ֥ד] קׇדְקֳדֽוֹ׃ The Adversary departed from the presence of the LORD and inflicted a severe inflammation on Job from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.

וַיִּֽקַּֽח־ל֣וֹ חֶ֔רֶשׂ לְהִתְגָּרֵ֖ד בּ֑וֹ וְה֖וּא יֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּתוֹךְ־הָאֵֽפֶר׃ He took a potsherd to scratch himself as he sat in ashes.

וַתֹּ֤אמֶר לוֹ֙ אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ עֹדְךָ֖ מַחֲזִ֣יק בְּתֻמָּתֶ֑ךָ בָּרֵ֥ךְ אֱלֹהִ֖ים וָמֻֽת׃ His wife said to him, “You still keep your integrity! Blaspheme God and die!”

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלֶ֗יהָ כְּדַבֵּ֞ר אַחַ֤ת הַנְּבָלוֹת֙ תְּדַבֵּ֔רִי גַּ֣ם אֶת־הַטּ֗וֹב נְקַבֵּל֙ מֵאֵ֣ת הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים וְאֶת־הָרָ֖ע לֹ֣א נְקַבֵּ֑ל בְּכׇל־זֹ֛את לֹא־חָטָ֥א אִיּ֖וֹב בִּשְׂפָתָֽיו׃ {פ}
But he said to her, “You talk as any shameless woman might talk! Should we accept only good from God and not accept evil?” For all that, Job said nothing sinful.

וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֞וּ שְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת ׀ רֵעֵ֣י אִיּ֗וֹב אֵ֣ת כׇּל־הָרָעָ֣ה הַזֹּאת֮ הַבָּ֣אָה עָלָיו֒ וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ מִמְּקֹמ֔וֹ אֱלִיפַ֤ז הַתֵּֽימָנִי֙ וּבִלְדַּ֣ד הַשּׁוּחִ֔י וְצוֹפַ֖ר הַנַּֽעֲמָתִ֑י וַיִּוָּעֲד֣וּ יַחְדָּ֔ו לָב֥וֹא לָנֽוּד־ל֖וֹ וּֽלְנַחֲמֽוֹ׃ When Job’s three friends heard about all these calamities that had befallen him, each came from his home—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They met together to go and console and comfort him.

וַיִּשְׂא֨וּ אֶת־עֵינֵיהֶ֤ם מֵֽרָחוֹק֙ וְלֹ֣א הִכִּירֻ֔הוּ וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ קוֹלָ֖ם וַיִּבְכּ֑וּ וַֽיִּקְרְעוּ֙ אִ֣ישׁ מְעִל֔וֹ וַיִּזְרְק֥וּ עָפָ֛ר עַל־רָאשֵׁיהֶ֖ם הַשָּׁמָֽיְמָה׃ When they saw him from a distance, they could not recognize him, and they broke into loud weeping; each one tore his robe and threw dust into the air onto his head.

וַיֵּֽשְׁב֤וּ אִתּוֹ֙ לָאָ֔רֶץ שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים וְשִׁבְעַ֣ת לֵיל֑וֹת וְאֵין־דֹּבֵ֤ר אֵלָיו֙ דָּבָ֔ר כִּ֣י רָא֔וּ כִּי־גָדַ֥ל הַכְּאֵ֖ב מְאֹֽד׃ They sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights. None spoke a word to him for they saw how very great was his suffering.

אַֽחֲרֵי־כֵ֗ן פָּתַ֤ח אִיּוֹב֙ אֶת־פִּ֔יהוּ וַיְקַלֵּ֖ל אֶת־יוֹמֽוֹ׃ {פ}
^aThere are many difficulties in the poetry of Job, making the interpretation of words, verses, and even chapters uncertain. The rubric “Meaning of Heb. uncertain” in this book indicates only some of the extreme instances.Afterward, Job began to speak and cursed the day of his birth.

וַיַּ֥עַן אִיּ֗וֹב וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ Job spoke up and said:

יֹ֣אבַד י֭וֹם אִוָּ֣לֶד בּ֑וֹ וְהַלַּ֥יְלָה אָ֝מַ֗ר הֹ֣רָה גָֽבֶר׃ Perish the day on which I was born,
And the night it was announced,
“A male has been conceived!”

הַיּ֥וֹם הַה֗וּא יְֽהִ֫י־חֹ֥שֶׁךְ אַֽל־יִדְרְשֵׁ֣הוּ אֱל֣וֹהַּ מִמַּ֑עַל וְאַל־תּוֹפַ֖ע עָלָ֣יו נְהָרָֽה׃ May that day be darkness;
May God above have no concern for it;
May light not shine on it;

יִגְאָלֻ֡הוּ חֹ֣שֶׁךְ וְ֭צַלְמָוֶת תִּשְׁכׇּן־עָלָ֣יו עֲנָנָ֑ה יְ֝בַעֲתֻ֗הוּ כִּֽמְרִ֥ירֵי יֽוֹם׃ May darkness and deep gloom reclaim it;
May a pall lie over it;
May ^bMeaning of Heb. uncertain.what blackens^-b the day terrify it.

הַלַּ֥יְלָה הַהוּא֮ יִקָּחֵ֢ה֫וּ אֹ֥פֶל אַל־יִ֭חַדְּ בִּימֵ֣י שָׁנָ֑ה בְּמִסְפַּ֥ר יְ֝רָחִ֗ים אַל־יָבֹֽא׃ May obscurity carry off that night;
May it not be counted among the days of the year;
May it not appear in any of its months;

הִנֵּ֤ה הַלַּ֣יְלָה הַ֭הוּא יְהִ֣י גַלְמ֑וּד אַל־תָּב֖וֹא רְנָנָ֣ה בֽוֹ׃ May that night be desolate;
May no sound of joy be heard in it;

יִקְּבֻ֥הוּ אֹֽרְרֵי־י֑וֹם הָ֝עֲתִידִ֗ים עֹרֵ֥ר לִוְיָתָֽן׃ May those who cast spells upon the day^cOr “sea,” taking Heb. yom as equivalent of yam; compare the combination of sea with Leviathan in Ps. 74.13, 14 and with Dragon in Job 7.12; cf. also Isa. 27.1. damn it,
Those prepared to disable Leviathan;

יֶחְשְׁכוּ֮ כּוֹכְבֵ֢י נִ֫שְׁפּ֥וֹ יְקַו־לְא֥וֹר וָאַ֑יִן וְאַל־יִ֝רְאֶ֗ה בְּעַפְעַפֵּי־שָֽׁחַר׃ May its twilight stars remain dark;
May it hope for light and have none;
May it not see the glimmerings of the dawn—

כִּ֤י לֹ֣א סָ֭גַר דַּלְתֵ֣י בִטְנִ֑י וַיַּסְתֵּ֥ר עָ֝מָ֗ל מֵעֵינָֽי׃ Because it did not block my mother’s womb,
And hide trouble from my eyes.

לָ֤מָּה לֹּ֣א מֵרֶ֣חֶם אָמ֑וּת מִבֶּ֖טֶן יָצָ֣אתִי וְאֶגְוָֽע׃ Why did I not die at birth,
Expire as I came forth from the womb?

מַ֭דּוּעַ קִדְּמ֣וּנִי בִרְכָּ֑יִם וּמַה־שָּׁ֝דַ֗יִם כִּ֣י אִינָֽק׃ Why were there knees to receive me,
Or breasts for me to suck?

כִּֽי־עַ֭תָּה שָׁכַ֣בְתִּי וְאֶשְׁק֑וֹט יָ֝שַׁ֗נְתִּי אָ֤ז ׀ יָנ֬וּחַֽ לִֽי׃ For now would I be lying in repose, asleep and at rest,

עִם־מְ֭לָכִים וְיֹ֣עֲצֵי אָ֑רֶץ הַבֹּנִ֖ים חֳרָב֣וֹת לָֽמוֹ׃ With the world’s kings and counselors who rebuild ruins for themselves,

א֣וֹ עִם־שָׂ֭רִים זָהָ֣ב לָהֶ֑ם הַֽמְמַלְאִ֖ים בָּתֵּיהֶ֣ם כָּֽסֶף׃ Or with nobles who possess gold and who fill their houses with silver.

א֤וֹ כְנֵ֣פֶל טָ֭מוּן לֹ֣א אֶהְיֶ֑ה כְּ֝עֹלְלִ֗ים לֹא־רָ֥אוּ אֽוֹר׃ Or why was I not like a buried stillbirth,
Like babies who never saw the light?

שָׁ֣ם רְ֭שָׁעִים חָ֣דְלוּ רֹ֑גֶז וְשָׁ֥ם יָ֝נ֗וּחוּ יְגִ֣יעֵי כֹֽחַ׃ There the wicked cease from troubling;
There rest those whose strength is spent.

יַ֭חַד אֲסִירִ֣ים שַׁאֲנָ֑נוּ לֹ֥א שָׁ֝מְע֗וּ ק֣וֹל נֹגֵֽשׂ׃ Prisoners are wholly at ease;
They do not hear the taskmaster’s voice.

קָטֹ֣ן וְ֭גָדוֹל שָׁ֣ם ה֑וּא וְ֝עֶ֗בֶד חׇפְשִׁ֥י מֵאֲדֹנָֽיו׃ Small and great alike are there,
And the slave is free of his master.

לָ֤מָּה יִתֵּ֣ן לְעָמֵ֣ל א֑וֹר וְ֝חַיִּ֗ים לְמָ֣רֵי נָֽפֶשׁ׃ Why does He give light to the sufferer
And life to the bitter in spirit;

הַֽמְחַכִּ֣ים לַמָּ֣וֶת וְאֵינֶ֑נּוּ וַֽ֝יַּחְפְּרֻ֗הוּ מִמַּטְמוֹנִֽים׃ To those who wait for death but it does not come,
Who search for it more than for treasure,

הַשְּׂמֵחִ֥ים אֱלֵי־גִ֑יל יָ֝שִׂ֗ישׂוּ כִּ֣י יִמְצְאוּ־קָֽבֶר׃ Who rejoice to exultation,
And are glad to reach the grave;

לְ֭גֶבֶר אֲשֶׁר־דַּרְכּ֣וֹ נִסְתָּ֑רָה וַיָּ֖סֶךְ אֱל֣וֹהַּ בַּעֲדֽוֹ׃ To the man who has lost his way,
Whom God has hedged about?

כִּֽי־לִפְנֵ֣י לַ֭חְמִי אַנְחָתִ֣י תָבֹ֑א וַֽיִּתְּכ֥וּ כַ֝מַּ֗יִם שַׁאֲגֹתָֽי׃ My groaning serves as my bread;
My roaring pours forth as water.

כִּ֤י פַ֣חַד פָּ֭חַדְתִּי וַיֶּאֱתָיֵ֑נִי וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר יָ֝גֹ֗רְתִּי יָ֣בֹא לִֽי׃ For what I feared has overtaken me;
What I dreaded has come upon me.

לֹ֤א שָׁלַ֨וְתִּי ׀ וְלֹ֖א שָׁקַ֥טְתִּי וְֽלֹא־נָ֗חְתִּי וַיָּ֥בֹא רֹֽגֶז׃ {פ}
I had no repose, no quiet, no rest,
And trouble came.

וַ֭יַּעַן אֱלִיפַ֥ז הַֽתֵּימָנִ֗י וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ Then Eliphaz the Temanite said in reply:

הֲנִסָּ֬ה דָבָ֣ר אֵלֶ֣יךָ תִּלְאֶ֑ה וַעְצֹ֥ר בְּ֝מִלִּ֗ין מִ֣י יוּכָֽל׃ If one ventures a word with you, will it be too much?
But who can hold back his words?

הִ֭נֵּה יִסַּ֣רְתָּ רַבִּ֑ים וְיָדַ֖יִם רָפ֣וֹת תְּחַזֵּֽק׃ See, you have encouraged many;
You have strengthened failing hands.

כּ֭וֹשֵׁל יְקִימ֣וּן מִלֶּ֑יךָ וּבִרְכַּ֖יִם כֹּרְע֣וֹת תְּאַמֵּֽץ׃ Your words have kept him who stumbled from falling;
You have braced knees that gave way.

כִּ֤י עַתָּ֨ה ׀ תָּב֣וֹא אֵלֶ֣יךָ וַתֵּ֑לֶא תִּגַּ֥ע עָ֝דֶ֗יךָ וַתִּבָּהֵֽל׃ But now that it overtakes you, it is too much;
It reaches you, and you are unnerved.

הֲלֹ֣א יִ֭רְאָתְךָ כִּסְלָתֶ֑ךָ תִּ֝קְוָתְךָ֗ וְתֹ֣ם דְּרָכֶֽיךָ׃ Is not your piety your confidence,
Your integrity your hope?

זְכׇר־נָ֗א מִ֤י ה֣וּא נָקִ֣י אָבָ֑ד וְ֝אֵיפֹ֗ה יְשָׁרִ֥ים נִכְחָֽדוּ׃ Think now, what innocent man ever perished?
Where have the upright been destroyed?

כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר רָ֭אִיתִי חֹ֣רְשֵׁי אָ֑וֶן וְזֹרְעֵ֖י עָמָ֣ל יִקְצְרֻֽהוּ׃ As I have seen, those who plow evil
And sow mischief reap them.

מִנִּשְׁמַ֣ת אֱל֣וֹהַּ יֹאבֵ֑דוּ וּמֵר֖וּחַ אַפּ֣וֹ יִכְלֽוּ׃ They perish by a blast from God,
Are gone at the breath of His nostrils.

שַׁאֲגַ֣ת אַ֭רְיֵה וְק֣וֹל שָׁ֑חַל וְשִׁנֵּ֖י כְפִירִ֣ים נִתָּֽעוּ׃ The lion may roar, the cub may howl,
But the teeth of the king of beasts ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.are broken.^-a

לַ֭יִשׁ אֹבֵ֣ד מִבְּלִי־טָ֑רֶף וּבְנֵ֥י לָ֝בִ֗יא יִתְפָּרָֽדוּ׃ The lion perishes for lack of prey,
And its whelps are scattered.

וְ֭אֵלַי דָּבָ֣ר יְגֻנָּ֑ב וַתִּקַּ֥ח אׇ֝זְנִ֗י שֵׁ֣מֶץ מֶֽנְהֽוּ׃ A word came to me in stealth;
My ear caught a whisper of it.

בִּ֭שְׂעִפִּים מֵחֶזְיֹנ֣וֹת לָ֑יְלָה בִּנְפֹ֥ל תַּ֝רְדֵּמָ֗ה עַל־אֲנָשִֽׁים׃ In thought-filled visions of the night,
When deep sleep falls on men,

פַּ֣חַד קְ֭רָאַנִי וּרְעָדָ֑ה וְרֹ֖ב עַצְמוֹתַ֣י הִפְחִֽיד׃ Fear and trembling came upon me,
Causing all my bones to quake with fright.

וְ֭רוּחַ עַל־פָּנַ֣י יַחֲלֹ֑ף תְּ֝סַמֵּ֗ר שַׂעֲרַ֥ת בְּשָׂרִֽי׃ A wind passed by me,
Making the hair of my flesh bristle.

יַעֲמֹ֤ד ׀ וְֽלֹא־אַכִּ֬יר מַרְאֵ֗הוּ תְּ֭מוּנָה לְנֶ֣גֶד עֵינָ֑י דְּמָמָ֖ה וָק֣וֹל אֶשְׁמָֽע׃ It halted; its appearance was strange to me;
A form loomed before my eyes;
I heard a murmur, a voice,

הַ֭אֱנוֹשׁ מֵאֱל֣וֹהַּ יִצְדָּ֑ק אִ֥ם מֵ֝עֹשֵׂ֗הוּ יִטְהַר־גָּֽבֶר׃ “Can mortals be acquitted by God?
Can man be cleared by his Maker?

הֵ֣ן בַּ֭עֲבָדָיו לֹ֣א יַאֲמִ֑ין וּ֝בְמַלְאָכָ֗יו יָשִׂ֥ים תׇּהֳלָֽה׃ If He cannot trust His own servants,
And casts reproach^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain. on His angels,

אַ֤ף ׀ שֹׁכְנֵ֬י בָֽתֵּי־חֹ֗מֶר אֲשֶׁר־בֶּעָפָ֥ר יְסוֹדָ֑ם יְ֝דַכְּא֗וּם לִפְנֵי־עָֽשׁ׃ How much less those who dwell in houses of clay,
Whose origin is dust,
Who are crushed like the moth,

מִבֹּ֣קֶר לָעֶ֣רֶב יֻכַּ֑תּוּ מִבְּלִ֥י מֵ֝שִׂ֗ים לָנֶ֥צַח יֹאבֵֽדוּ׃ Shattered between daybreak and evening,
Perishing forever, unnoticed.

הֲלֹא־נִסַּ֣ע יִתְרָ֣ם בָּ֑ם יָ֝מ֗וּתוּ וְלֹ֣א בְחׇכְמָֽה׃ Their cord is pulled up
And they die, and not with wisdom.”

קְֽרָא־נָ֭א הֲיֵ֣שׁ עוֹנֶ֑ךָּ וְאֶל־מִ֖י מִקְּדֹשִׁ֣ים תִּפְנֶֽה׃ Call now! Will anyone answer you?
To whom among the holy beings will you turn?

כִּֽי־לֶ֭אֱוִיל יַהֲרׇג־כָּ֑עַשׂ וּ֝פֹתֶ֗ה תָּמִ֥ית קִנְאָֽה׃ Vexation kills the fool;
Passion slays the simpleton.

אֲֽנִי־רָ֭אִיתִי אֱוִ֣יל מַשְׁרִ֑ישׁ וָאֶקּ֖וֹב נָוֵ֣הוּ פִתְאֹֽם׃ I myself saw a fool who had struck roots;
Impulsively, I cursed his home:

יִרְחֲק֣וּ בָנָ֣יו מִיֶּ֑שַׁע וְיִֽדַּכְּא֥וּ בַ֝שַּׁ֗עַר וְאֵ֣ין מַצִּֽיל׃ May his children be far from success;
May they be oppressed in the gate with none to deliver them;

אֲשֶׁ֤ר קְצִיר֨וֹ ׀ רָ֘עֵ֤ב יֹאכֵ֗ל וְאֶֽל־מִצִּנִּ֥ים יִקָּחֵ֑הוּ וְשָׁאַ֖ף צַמִּ֣ים חֵילָֽם׃ May the hungry devour his harvest,
^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.Carrying it off in baskets;
May the thirsty swallow their wealth.^-a

כִּ֤י ׀ לֹא־יֵצֵ֣א מֵעָפָ֣ר אָ֑וֶן וּ֝מֵאֲדָמָ֗ה לֹא־יִצְמַ֥ח עָמָֽל׃ Evil does not grow out of the soil,
Nor does mischief spring from the ground;

כִּֽי־אָ֭דָם לְעָמָ֣ל יוּלָּ֑ד וּבְנֵי־רֶ֝֗שֶׁף יַגְבִּ֥יהוּ עֽוּף׃ For man is born to [do] mischief,
Just as sparks fly upward.

אוּלָ֗ם אֲ֭נִי אֶדְרֹ֣שׁ אֶל־אֵ֑ל וְאֶל־אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים אָשִׂ֥ים דִּבְרָתִֽי׃ But I would resort to God;
I would lay my case before God,

עֹשֶׂ֣ה גְ֭דֹלוֹת וְאֵ֣ין חֵ֑קֶר נִ֝פְלָא֗וֹת עַד־אֵ֥ין מִסְפָּֽר׃ Who performs great deeds which cannot be fathomed,
Wondrous things without number;

הַנֹּתֵ֣ן מָ֭טָר עַל־פְּנֵי־אָ֑רֶץ וְשֹׁ֥לֵֽחַ מַ֝֗יִם עַל־פְּנֵ֥י חוּצֽוֹת׃ Who gives rain to the earth,
And sends water over the fields;

לָשׂ֣וּם שְׁפָלִ֣ים לְמָר֑וֹם וְ֝קֹדְרִ֗ים שָׂ֣גְבוּ יֶֽשַׁע׃ Who raises the lowly up high,
So that the dejected are secure in victory;

מֵ֭פֵר מַחְשְׁב֣וֹת עֲרוּמִ֑ים וְֽלֹא־תַעֲשֶׂ֥נָה יְ֝דֵיהֶ֗ם תֻּֽשִׁיָּֽה׃ Who thwarts the designs of the crafty,
So that their hands cannot gain success;

לֹכֵ֣ד חֲכָמִ֣ים בְּעׇרְמָ֑ם וַעֲצַ֖ת נִפְתָּלִ֣ים נִמְהָֽרָה׃ Who traps the clever in their own wiles;
The plans of the crafty go awry.

יוֹמָ֥ם יְפַגְּשׁוּ־חֹ֑שֶׁךְ וְ֝כַלַּ֗יְלָה יְֽמַשְׁשׁ֥וּ בַֽצׇּהֳרָֽיִם׃ By day they encounter darkness,
At noon they grope as in the night.

וַיֹּ֣שַׁע מֵ֭חֶרֶב מִפִּיהֶ֑ם וּמִיַּ֖ד חָזָ֣ק אֶבְיֽוֹן׃ But He saves the needy from the sword of their mouth,
From the clutches of the strong.

וַתְּהִ֣י לַדַּ֣ל תִּקְוָ֑ה וְ֝עֹלָ֗תָה קָ֣פְצָה פִּֽיהָ׃ So there is hope for the wretched;
The mouth of wrongdoing is stopped.

הִנֵּ֤ה אַשְׁרֵ֣י אֱ֭נוֹשׁ יוֹכִחֶ֣נּוּ אֱל֑וֹהַּ וּמוּסַ֥ר שַׁ֝דַּ֗י אַל־תִּמְאָֽס׃ See how happy is the man whom God reproves;
Do not reject the discipline of the Almighty.

כִּ֤י ה֣וּא יַכְאִ֣יב וְיֶחְבָּ֑שׁ יִ֝מְחַ֗ץ וְיָדָ֥ו תִּרְפֶּֽינָה׃ He injures, but He binds up;
He wounds, but His hands heal.

בְּשֵׁ֣שׁ צָ֭רוֹת יַצִּילֶ֑ךָּ וּבְשֶׁ֓בַע ׀ לֹֽא־יִגַּ֖ע בְּךָ֣ רָֽע׃ He will deliver you from six troubles;
In seven no harm will reach you:

בְּֽ֭רָעָב פָּדְךָ֣ מִמָּ֑וֶת וּ֝בְמִלְחָמָ֗ה מִ֣ידֵי חָֽרֶב׃ In famine He will redeem you from death,
In war, from the sword.

בְּשׁ֣וֹט לָ֭שׁוֹן תֵּחָבֵ֑א וְֽלֹא־תִירָ֥א מִ֝שֹּׁ֗ד כִּ֣י יָבֽוֹא׃ You will be sheltered from the scourging tongue;
You will have no fear when violence comes.

לְשֹׁ֣ד וּלְכָפָ֣ן תִּשְׂחָ֑ק וּֽמֵחַיַּ֥ת הָ֝אָ֗רֶץ אַל־תִּירָֽא׃ You will laugh at violence and starvation,
And have no fear of wild beasts.

כִּ֤י עִם־אַבְנֵ֣י הַשָּׂדֶ֣ה בְרִיתֶ֑ךָ וְחַיַּ֥ת הַ֝שָּׂדֶ֗ה הׇשְׁלְמָה־לָּֽךְ׃ For you will have a pact with the rocks in the field,
And the beasts of the field will be your allies.

וְֽ֭יָדַעְתָּ כִּֽי־שָׁל֣וֹם אׇהֳלֶ֑ךָ וּֽפָקַדְתָּ֥ נָ֝וְךָ֗ וְלֹ֣א תֶחֱטָֽא׃ You will know that all is well in your tent;
When you visit your wife^bLit. “home.” you will never fail.

וְֽ֭יָדַעְתָּ כִּֽי־רַ֣ב זַרְעֶ֑ךָ וְ֝צֶאֱצָאֶ֗יךָ כְּעֵ֣שֶׂב הָאָֽרֶץ׃ You will see that your offspring are many,
Your descendants like the grass of the earth.

תָּב֣וֹא בְכֶ֣לַח אֱלֵי־קָ֑בֶר כַּעֲל֖וֹת גָּדִ֣ישׁ בְּעִתּֽוֹ׃ You will come to the grave ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.in ripe old age,^-a
As shocks of grain are taken away in their season.

הִנֵּה־זֹ֭את חֲקַרְנ֥וּהָ כֶּֽן־הִ֑יא שְׁ֝מָעֶ֗נָּה וְאַתָּ֥ה דַֽע־לָֽךְ׃ {פ}
See, we have inquired into this and it is so;
Hear it and accept it.

וַיַּ֥עַן אִיּ֗וֹב וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ Then Job said in reply:

ל֗וּ שָׁק֣וֹל יִשָּׁקֵ֣ל כַּעְשִׂ֑י (והיתי) [וְ֝הַוָּתִ֗י] בְּֽמֹאזְנַ֥יִם יִשְׂאוּ־יָֽחַד׃ If my anguish were weighed,
My full calamity laid on the scales,

כִּֽי־עַתָּ֗ה מֵח֣וֹל יַמִּ֣ים יִכְבָּ֑ד עַל־כֵּ֝֗ן דְּבָרַ֥י לָֽעוּ׃ It would be heavier than the sand of the sea;
That is why I spoke recklessly.^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.

כִּ֤י חִצֵּ֪י שַׁדַּ֡י עִמָּדִ֗י אֲשֶׁ֣ר חֲ֭מָתָם שֹׁתָ֣ה רוּחִ֑י בִּעוּתֵ֖י אֱל֣וֹהַּ יַעַרְכֽוּנִי׃ For the arrows of the Almighty are in me;
My spirit absorbs their poison;
God’s terrors are arrayed against me.

הֲיִֽנְהַק־פֶּ֥רֶא עֲלֵי־דֶ֑שֶׁא אִ֥ם יִגְעֶה־שּׁ֝֗וֹר עַל־בְּלִילֽוֹ׃ Does a wild ass bray when he has grass?
Does a bull bellow over his fodder?

הֲיֵאָכֵ֣ל תָּ֭פֵל מִבְּלִי־מֶ֑לַח אִם־יֶשׁ־טַ֝֗עַם בְּרִ֣יר חַלָּמֽוּת׃ Can what is tasteless be eaten without salt?
Does ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.mallow juice^-a have any flavor?

מֵאֲנָ֣ה לִנְגּ֣וֹעַ נַפְשִׁ֑י הֵ֝֗מָּה כִּדְוֵ֥י לַחְמִֽי׃ I refuse to touch them;
They are like food when I am sick.

מִֽי־יִ֭תֵּן תָּב֣וֹא שֶׁאֱלָתִ֑י וְ֝תִקְוָתִ֗י יִתֵּ֥ן אֱלֽוֹהַּ׃ Would that my request were granted,
That God gave me what I wished for;

וְיֹאֵ֣ל אֱ֭לוֹהַּ וִידַכְּאֵ֑נִי יַתֵּ֥ר יָ֝ד֗וֹ וִיבַצְּעֵֽנִי׃ Would that God consented to crush me,
Loosed His hand and cut me off.

וּ֥תְהִי־ע֨וֹד ׀ נֶ֘חָ֤מָתִ֗י וַאֲסַלְּדָ֣ה בְ֭חִילָה לֹ֣א יַחְמ֑וֹל כִּי־לֹ֥א כִ֝חַ֗דְתִּי אִמְרֵ֥י קָדֽוֹשׁ׃ Then this would be my consolation,
^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.As I writhed in unsparing^-a pains:
That I did not ^bMeaning of Heb. uncertain; others “deny the words of the Holy One.”suppress my words against the Holy One.^-b

מַה־כֹּחִ֥י כִֽי־אֲיַחֵ֑ל וּמַה־קִּ֝צִּ֗י כִּֽי־אַאֲרִ֥יךְ נַפְשִֽׁי׃ What strength have I, that I should endure?
How long have I to live, that I should be patient?

אִם־כֹּ֣חַ אֲבָנִ֣ים כֹּחִ֑י אִֽם־בְּשָׂרִ֥י נָחֽוּשׁ׃ Is my strength the strength of rock?
Is my flesh bronze?

הַאִ֬ם אֵ֣ין עֶזְרָתִ֣י בִ֑י וְ֝תֻשִׁיָּ֗ה נִדְּחָ֥ה מִמֶּֽנִּי׃ Truly, I cannot help myself;
I have been deprived of resourcefulness.

לַמָּ֣ס מֵרֵעֵ֣הוּ חָ֑סֶד וְיִרְאַ֖ת שַׁדַּ֣י יַעֲזֽוֹב׃ ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.A friend owes loyalty to one who fails,
Though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty;^-a

אַ֭חַי בָּגְד֣וּ כְמוֹ־נָ֑חַל כַּאֲפִ֖יק נְחָלִ֣ים יַעֲבֹֽרוּ׃ My comrades are fickle, like a wadi,
Like a bed on which streams once ran.

הַקֹּדְרִ֥ים מִנִּי־קָ֑רַח עָ֝לֵ֗ימוֹ יִתְעַלֶּם־שָֽׁלֶג׃ ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.They are dark with ice;
Snow obscures them;^-a

בְּעֵ֣ת יְזֹרְב֣וּ נִצְמָ֑תוּ בְּ֝חֻמּ֗וֹ נִדְעֲכ֥וּ מִמְּקוֹמָֽם׃ But when they thaw, they vanish;
In the heat, they disappear where they are.

יִ֭לָּ֣פְתוּ אׇרְח֣וֹת דַּרְכָּ֑ם יַעֲל֖וּ בַתֹּ֣הוּ וְיֹאבֵֽדוּ׃ Their course twists and turns;
They run into the desert and perish.

הִ֭בִּיטוּ אׇרְח֣וֹת תֵּמָ֑א הֲלִיכֹ֥ת שְׁ֝בָ֗א קִוּוּ־לָֽמוֹ׃ Caravans from Tema look to them;
Processions from Sheba count on them.

בֹּ֥שׁוּ כִּֽי־בָטָ֑ח בָּ֥אוּ עָ֝דֶ֗יהָ וַיֶּחְפָּֽרוּ׃ They are disappointed in their hopes;
When they reach the place, they stand aghast.

כִּֽי־עַ֭תָּה הֱיִ֣יתֶם לֹ֑א תִּֽרְא֥וּ חֲ֝תַ֗ת וַתִּירָֽאוּ׃ So you are as nothing:^cFollowing kethib, with Targum; meaning of Heb. uncertain.
At the sight of misfortune, you take fright.

הֲֽכִי־אָ֭מַרְתִּי הָ֣בוּ לִ֑י וּ֝מִכֹּחֲכֶ֗ם שִׁחֲד֥וּ בַעֲדִֽי׃ Did I say to you, “I need your gift;
Pay a bribe for me out of your wealth;

וּמַלְּט֥וּנִי מִיַּד־צָ֑ר וּמִיַּ֖ד עָרִיצִ֣ים תִּפְדּֽוּנִי׃ Deliver me from the clutches of my enemy;
Redeem me from violent men”?

ה֭וֹרוּנִי וַאֲנִ֣י אַחֲרִ֑ישׁ וּמַה־שָּׁ֝גִ֗יתִי הָבִ֥ינוּ לִֽי׃ Teach me; I shall be silent;
Tell me where I am wrong.

מַה־נִּמְרְצ֥וּ אִמְרֵי־יֹ֑שֶׁר וּמַה־יּוֹכִ֖יחַ הוֹכֵ֣חַ מִכֶּֽם׃ ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.How trenchant honest words are;^-a
But what sort of reproof comes from you?

הַלְהוֹכַ֣ח מִלִּ֣ים תַּחְשֹׁ֑בוּ וּ֝לְר֗וּחַ אִמְרֵ֥י נֹאָֽשׁ׃ Do you devise words of reproof,
But count a hopeless man’s words as wind?

אַף־עַל־יָת֥וֹם תַּפִּ֑ילוּ וְ֝תִכְר֗וּ עַֽל־רֵיעֲכֶֽם׃ You would even cast lots over an orphan,
Or barter away your friend.

וְ֭עַתָּה הוֹאִ֣ילוּ פְנוּ־בִ֑י וְעַל־פְּ֝נֵיכֶ֗ם אִם־אֲכַזֵּֽב׃ Now be so good as to face me;
I will not lie to your face.

שֽׁוּבוּ־נָ֭א אַל־תְּהִ֣י עַוְלָ֑ה (ושבי) [וְשׁ֥וּבוּ] ע֝֗וֹד צִדְקִי־בָֽהּ׃ Relent! Let there not be injustice;
Relent! I am still in the right.

הֲיֵשׁ־בִּלְשׁוֹנִ֥י עַוְלָ֑ה אִם־חִ֝כִּ֗י לֹא־יָבִ֥ין הַוּֽוֹת׃ Is injustice on my tongue?
Can my palate not discern evil?

הֲלֹֽא־צָבָ֣א לֶֽאֱנ֣וֹשׁ (על) [עֲלֵי־]אָ֑רֶץ וְכִימֵ֖י שָׂכִ֣יר יָמָֽיו׃ Truly man has a term of service on earth;
His days are like those of a hireling—

כְּעֶ֥בֶד יִשְׁאַף־צֵ֑ל וּ֝כְשָׂכִ֗יר יְקַוֶּ֥ה פׇעֳלֽוֹ׃ Like a slave who longs for [evening’s] shadows,
Like a hireling who waits for his wage.

כֵּ֤ן הׇנְחַ֣לְתִּי לִ֭י יַרְחֵי־שָׁ֑וְא וְלֵיל֥וֹת עָ֝מָ֗ל מִנּוּ־לִֽי׃ So have I been allotted months of futility;
Nights of misery have been apportioned to me.

אִם־שָׁכַ֗בְתִּי וְאָמַ֗רְתִּי מָתַ֣י אָ֭קוּם וּמִדַּד־עָ֑רֶב וְשָׂבַ֖עְתִּי נְדֻדִ֣ים עֲדֵי־נָֽשֶׁף׃ When I lie down, I think,
“When shall I rise?”
Night ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.drags on,^-a
And I am sated with tossings till morning twilight.

לָ֘בַ֤שׁ בְּשָׂרִ֣י רִ֭מָּה (וגיש) [וְג֣וּשׁ] עָפָ֑ר עוֹרִ֥י רָ֝גַ֗ע וַיִּמָּאֵֽס׃ My flesh is covered with maggots and clods of earth;
My skin is broken and festering.

יָמַ֣י קַ֭לּוּ מִנִּי־אָ֑רֶג וַ֝יִּכְל֗וּ בְּאֶ֣פֶס תִּקְוָֽה׃ My days fly faster than a weaver’s shuttle,
And come to their end ^bOr “when the thread runs out.”without hope.^-b

זְ֭כֹר כִּי־ר֣וּחַ חַיָּ֑י לֹֽא־תָשׁ֥וּב עֵ֝ינִ֗י לִרְא֥וֹת טֽוֹב׃ Consider that my life is but wind;
I shall never see happiness again.

לֹא־תְ֭שׁוּרֵנִי עֵ֣ין רֹ֑אִי עֵינֶ֖יךָ בִּ֣י וְאֵינֶֽנִּי׃ The eye that gazes on me will not see me;
Your eye will seek me, but I shall be gone.

כָּלָ֣ה עָ֭נָן וַיֵּלַ֑ךְ כֵּ֥ן יוֹרֵ֥ד שְׁ֝א֗וֹל לֹ֣א יַעֲלֶֽה׃ As a cloud fades away,
So whoever goes down to Sheol does not come up;

לֹא־יָשׁ֣וּב ע֣וֹד לְבֵית֑וֹ וְלֹא־יַכִּירֶ֖נּוּ ע֣וֹד מְקֹמֽוֹ׃ He returns no more to his home;
His place does not know him.

גַּם־אֲנִי֮ לֹ֤א אֶחֱשׇׂ֫ךְ־פִּ֥י אֲֽ֭דַבְּרָה בְּצַ֣ר רוּחִ֑י אָ֝שִׂ֗יחָה בְּמַ֣ר נַפְשִֽׁי׃ On my part, I will not speak with restraint;
I will give voice to the anguish of my spirit;
I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

הֲֽיָם־אָ֭נִי אִם־תַּנִּ֑ין כִּֽי־תָשִׂ֖ים עָלַ֣י מִשְׁמָֽר׃ Am I the sea or the Dragon,^cSee note at 3.8.
That You have set a watch over me?

כִּֽי־אָ֭מַרְתִּי תְּנַחֲמֵ֣נִי עַרְשִׂ֑י יִשָּׂ֥א בְ֝שִׂיחִ֗י מִשְׁכָּבִֽי׃ When I think, “My bed will comfort me,
My couch will share my sorrow,”

וְחִתַּתַּ֥נִי בַחֲלֹמ֑וֹת וּֽמֵחֶזְיֹנ֥וֹת תְּבַעֲתַֽנִּי׃ You frighten me with dreams,
And terrify me with visions,

וַתִּבְחַ֣ר מַחֲנָ֣ק נַפְשִׁ֑י מָ֝֗וֶת מֵעַצְמוֹתָֽי׃ Till I prefer strangulation,
Death, to my wasted frame.

מָ֭אַסְתִּי לֹא־לְעֹלָ֣ם אֶחְיֶ֑ה חֲדַ֥ל מִ֝מֶּ֗נִּי כִּי־הֶ֥בֶל יָמָֽי׃ I am sick of it.
I shall not live forever;
Let me be, for my days are a breath.

מָֽה־אֱ֭נוֹשׁ כִּ֣י תְגַדְּלֶ֑נּוּ וְכִֽי־תָשִׁ֖ית אֵלָ֣יו לִבֶּֽךָ׃ What is man, that You make much of him,
That You fix Your attention upon him?

וַתִּפְקְדֶ֥נּוּ לִבְקָרִ֑ים לִ֝רְגָעִ֗ים תִּבְחָנֶֽנּוּ׃ You inspect him every morning,
Examine him every minute.

כַּ֭מָּה לֹא־תִשְׁעֶ֣ה מִמֶּ֑נִּי לֹֽא־תַ֝רְפֵּ֗נִי עַד־בִּלְעִ֥י רֻקִּֽי׃ Will You not look away from me for a while,
Let me be, till I swallow my spittle?

חָטָ֡אתִי מָ֤ה אֶפְעַ֨ל ׀ לָךְ֮ נֹצֵ֢ר הָ֫אָדָ֥ם לָ֤מָה שַׂמְתַּ֣נִי לְמִפְגָּ֣ע לָ֑ךְ וָאֶהְיֶ֖ה עָלַ֣י לְמַשָּֽׂא׃ If I have sinned, what have I done to You,
Watcher of men?
Why make of me Your target,
And a burden to myself?

וּמֶ֤ה ׀ לֹֽא־תִשָּׂ֣א פִשְׁעִי֮ וְתַעֲבִ֢יר אֶת־עֲוֺ֫נִ֥י כִּֽי־עַ֭תָּה לֶעָפָ֣ר אֶשְׁכָּ֑ב וְשִׁ֖חַרְתַּ֣נִי וְאֵינֶֽנִּי׃ {פ}
Why do You not pardon my transgression
And forgive my iniquity?
For soon I shall lie down in the dust;
When You seek me, I shall be gone.

וַ֭יַּעַן בִּלְדַּ֥ד הַשּׁוּחִ֗י וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ Bildad the Shuhite said in reply:

עַד־אָ֥ן תְּמַלֶּל־אֵ֑לֶּה וְר֥וּחַ כַּ֝בִּ֗יר אִמְרֵי־פִֽיךָ׃ How long will you speak such things?
Your utterances are a mighty wind!

הַ֭אֵל יְעַוֵּ֣ת מִשְׁפָּ֑ט וְאִם־שַׁ֝דַּ֗י יְעַוֵּת־צֶֽדֶק׃ Will God pervert the right?
Will the Almighty pervert justice?

אִם־בָּנֶ֥יךָ חָֽטְאוּ־ל֑וֹ וַֽ֝יְשַׁלְּחֵ֗ם בְּיַד־פִּשְׁעָֽם׃ If your sons sinned against Him,
He dispatched them for their transgression.

אִם־אַ֭תָּה תְּשַׁחֵ֣ר אֶל־אֵ֑ל וְאֶל־שַׁ֝דַּ֗י תִּתְחַנָּֽן׃ But if you seek God
And supplicate the Almighty,

אִם־זַ֥ךְ וְיָשָׁ֗ר אָ֥֫תָּה כִּֽי־עַ֭תָּה יָעִ֣יר עָלֶ֑יךָ וְ֝שִׁלַּ֗ם נְוַ֣ת צִדְקֶֽךָ׃ If you are blameless and upright,
He will protect you,
And grant well-being to your righteous home.

וְהָיָ֣ה רֵאשִׁיתְךָ֣ מִצְעָ֑ר וְ֝אַחֲרִֽיתְךָ֗ יִשְׂגֶּ֥ה מְאֹֽד׃ Though your beginning be small,
In the end you will grow very great.

כִּֽי־שְׁאַל־נָ֭א לְדֹ֣ר רִישׁ֑וֹן וְ֝כוֹנֵ֗ן לְחֵ֣קֶר אֲבוֹתָֽם׃ Ask the generation past,
Study what their fathers have searched out—

כִּֽי־תְמ֣וֹל אֲ֭נַחְנוּ וְלֹ֣א נֵדָ֑ע כִּ֤י צֵ֖ל יָמֵ֣ינוּ עֲלֵי־אָֽרֶץ׃ For we are of yesterday and know nothing;
Our days on earth are a shadow—

הֲלֹא־הֵ֣ם י֭וֹרוּךָ יֹ֣אמְרוּ לָ֑ךְ וּ֝מִלִּבָּ֗ם יוֹצִ֥אוּ מִלִּֽים׃ Surely they will teach you and tell you,
Speaking out of their understanding.

הֲיִֽגְאֶה־גֹּ֭מֶא בְּלֹ֣א בִצָּ֑ה יִשְׂגֶּה־אָ֥חוּ בְלִי־מָֽיִם׃ Can papyrus thrive without marsh?
Can rushes grow without water?

עֹדֶ֣נּוּ בְ֭אִבּוֹ לֹ֣א יִקָּטֵ֑ף וְלִפְנֵ֖י כׇל־חָצִ֣יר יִיבָֽשׁ׃ While still tender, not yet plucked,
They would wither before any other grass.

כֵּ֗ן אׇ֭רְחוֹת כׇּל־שֹׁ֣כְחֵי אֵ֑ל וְתִקְוַ֖ת חָנֵ֣ף תֹּאבֵֽד׃ Such is the fate of all who forget God;
The hope of the impious man comes to naught—

אֲשֶׁר־יָק֥וֹט כִּסְל֑וֹ וּבֵ֥ית עַ֝כָּבִ֗ישׁ מִבְטַחֽוֹ׃ Whose confidence is a ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.thread of gossamer,^-a
Whose trust is a spider’s web.

יִשָּׁעֵ֣ן עַל־בֵּ֭יתוֹ וְלֹ֣א יַעֲמֹ֑ד יַחֲזִ֥יק בּ֝֗וֹ וְלֹ֣א יָקֽוּם׃ He leans on his house—it will not stand;
He seizes hold of it, but it will not hold.

רָטֹ֣ב ה֭וּא לִפְנֵי־שָׁ֑מֶשׁ וְעַ֥ל גַּ֝נָּת֗וֹ יֹנַקְתּ֥וֹ תֵצֵֽא׃ He stays fresh even in the sun;
His shoots spring up in his garden;

עַל־גַּ֭ל שׇׁרָשָׁ֣יו יְסֻבָּ֑כוּ בֵּ֖ית אֲבָנִ֣ים יֶחֱזֶֽה׃ ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.His roots are twined around a heap,
They take hold of a house of stones.^-a

אִם־יְבַלְּעֶ֥נּוּ מִמְּקֹמ֑וֹ וְכִ֥חֶשׁ בּ֝֗וֹ לֹ֣א רְאִיתִֽיךָ׃ When he is uprooted from his place,
It denies him, [saying,]
“I never saw you.”

הֶן־ה֭וּא מְשׂ֣וֹשׂ דַּרְכּ֑וֹ וּ֝מֵעָפָ֗ר אַחֵ֥ר יִצְמָֽחוּ׃ Such is his happy lot;
And from the earth others will grow.

הֶן־אֵ֭ל לֹ֣א יִמְאַס־תָּ֑ם וְלֹֽא־יַ֝חֲזִ֗יק בְּיַד־מְרֵעִֽים׃ Surely God does not despise the blameless;
He gives no support to evildoers.

עַד־יְמַלֵּ֣ה שְׂח֣וֹק פִּ֑יךָ וּשְׂפָתֶ֥יךָ תְרוּעָֽה׃ He will yet fill your mouth with laughter,
And your lips with shouts of joy.

שֹׂנְאֶ֥יךָ יִלְבְּשׁוּ־בֹ֑שֶׁת וְאֹ֖הֶל רְשָׁעִ֣ים אֵינֶֽנּוּ׃ {פ}
Your enemies will be clothed in disgrace;
The tent of the wicked will vanish.

וַיַּ֥עַן אִיּ֗וֹב וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ Job said in reply:

אׇ֭מְנָם יָדַ֣עְתִּי כִי־כֵ֑ן וּמַה־יִּצְדַּ֖ק אֱנ֣וֹשׁ עִם־אֵֽל׃ Indeed I know that it is so:
Man cannot win a suit against God.

אִם־יַ֭חְפֹּץ לָרִ֣יב עִמּ֑וֹ לֹֽא־יַ֝עֲנֶ֗נּוּ אַחַ֥ת מִנִּי־אָֽלֶף׃ If he insisted on a trial with Him,
He would not answer one charge in a thousand.

חֲכַ֣ם לֵ֭בָב וְאַמִּ֣יץ כֹּ֑חַ מִֽי־הִקְשָׁ֥ה אֵ֝לָ֗יו וַיִּשְׁלָֽם׃ Wise of heart and mighty in power—
Who ever challenged Him and came out whole?—

הַמַּעְתִּ֣יק הָ֭רִים וְלֹ֣א יָדָ֑עוּ אֲשֶׁ֖ר הֲפָכָ֣ם בְּאַפּֽוֹ׃ Him who moves mountains without their knowing it,
Who overturns them in His anger;

הַמַּרְגִּ֣יז אֶ֭רֶץ מִמְּקוֹמָ֑הּ וְ֝עַמּוּדֶ֗יהָ יִתְפַּלָּצֽוּן׃ Who shakes the earth from its place,
Till its pillars quake;

הָאֹמֵ֣ר לַ֭חֶרֶס וְלֹ֣א יִזְרָ֑ח וּבְעַ֖ד כּוֹכָבִ֣ים יַחְתֹּֽם׃ Who commands the sun not to shine;
Who seals up the stars;

נֹטֶ֣ה שָׁמַ֣יִם לְבַדּ֑וֹ וְ֝דוֹרֵ֗ךְ עַל־בָּ֥מֳתֵי יָֽם׃ Who by Himself spread out the heavens,
And trod on the back of the sea;

עֹֽשֶׂה־עָ֭שׁ כְּסִ֥יל וְכִימָ֗ה וְחַדְרֵ֥י תֵמָֽן׃ Who made the Bear^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain. and Orion,
Pleiades, and the chambers of the south wind;

עֹשֶׂ֣ה גְ֭דֹלוֹת עַד־אֵ֣ין חֵ֑קֶר וְ֝נִפְלָא֗וֹת עַד־אֵ֥ין מִסְפָּֽר׃ Who performs great deeds which cannot be fathomed,
And wondrous things without number.

הֵ֤ן יַעֲבֹ֣ר עָ֭לַי וְלֹ֣א אֶרְאֶ֑ה וְ֝יַחֲלֹ֗ף וְֽלֹא־אָבִ֥ין לֽוֹ׃ He passes me by—I do not see Him;
He goes by me, but I do not perceive Him.

הֵ֣ן יַ֭חְתֹּף מִ֣י יְשִׁיבֶ֑נּוּ מִי־יֹאמַ֥ר אֵ֝לָ֗יו מַֽה־תַּעֲשֶֽׂה׃ He snatches away—who can stop Him?
Who can say to Him, “What are You doing?”

אֱ֭לוֹהַּ לֹא־יָשִׁ֣יב אַפּ֑וֹ תַּחְתָּ֥ו שָׁ֝חֲח֗וּ עֹ֣זְרֵי רָֽהַב׃ God does not restrain His anger;
Under Him Rahab’s^bA primeval monster. helpers sink down.

אַ֭ף כִּֽי־אָנֹכִ֣י אֶעֱנֶ֑נּוּ אֶבְחֲרָ֖ה דְבָרַ֣י עִמּֽוֹ׃ How then can I answer Him,
Or choose my arguments against Him?

אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִם־צָ֭דַקְתִּי לֹ֣א אֶעֱנֶ֑ה לִ֝מְשֹׁפְטִ֗י אֶתְחַנָּֽן׃ Though I were in the right, I could not speak out,
But I would plead for mercy with my judge.

אִם־קָרָ֥אתִי וַֽיַּעֲנֵ֑נִי לֹֽא־אַ֝אֲמִ֗ין כִּֽי־יַאֲזִ֥ין קוֹלִֽי׃ If I summoned Him and He responded,
I do not believe He would lend me His ear.

אֲשֶׁר־בִּשְׂעָרָ֥ה יְשׁוּפֵ֑נִי וְהִרְבָּ֖ה פְצָעַ֣י חִנָּֽם׃ For He crushes me ^cWith Targum and Peshitta; or “with a storm.”for a hair;^-c
He wounds me much for no cause.

לֹֽא־יִ֭תְּנֵנִי הָשֵׁ֣ב רוּחִ֑י כִּ֥י יַ֝שְׂבִּעַ֗נִי מַמְּרֹרִֽים׃ He does not let me catch my breath,
But sates me with bitterness.

אִם־לְכֹ֣חַ אַמִּ֣יץ הִנֵּ֑ה וְאִם־לְ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט מִ֣י יוֹעִידֵֽנִי׃ If a trial of strength—He is the strong one;
If a trial in court—who will summon Him for me?

אִם־אֶ֭צְדָּק פִּ֣י יַרְשִׁיעֵ֑נִי תׇּֽם־אָ֝֗נִי וַֽיַּעְקְשֵֽׁנִי׃ Though I were innocent,
My mouth would condemn me;
Though I were blameless, He would prove me crooked.

תׇּֽם־אָ֭נִי לֹֽא־אֵדַ֥ע נַפְשִׁ֗י אֶמְאַ֥ס חַיָּֽי׃ I am blameless—I am distraught;
I am sick of life.

אַחַ֗ת הִ֥֫יא עַל־כֵּ֥ן אָמַ֑רְתִּי תָּ֥ם וְ֝רָשָׁ֗ע ה֣וּא מְכַלֶּֽה׃ It is all one; therefore I say,
“He destroys the blameless and the guilty.”

אִם־שׁ֭וֹט יָמִ֣ית פִּתְאֹ֑ם לְמַסַּ֖ת נְקִיִּ֣ם יִלְעָֽג׃ When suddenly a scourge brings death,
He mocks as the innocent fail.

אֶ֤רֶץ ׀ נִתְּנָ֬ה בְֽיַד־רָשָׁ֗ע פְּנֵֽי־שֹׁפְטֶ֥יהָ יְכַסֶּ֑ה אִם־לֹ֖א אֵפ֣וֹא מִי־הֽוּא׃ The earth is handed over to the wicked one;
He covers the eyes of its judges.
If it is not He, then who?

וְיָמַ֣י קַ֭לּוּ מִנִּי־רָ֑ץ בָּ֝רְח֗וּ לֹא־רָא֥וּ טוֹבָֽה׃ My days fly swifter than a runner;
They flee without seeing happiness;

חָ֭לְפוּ עִם־אֳנִיּ֣וֹת אֵבֶ֑ה כְּ֝נֶ֗שֶׁר יָט֥וּשׂ עֲלֵי־אֹֽכֶל׃ They pass like reed-boats,
Like an eagle swooping onto its prey.

אִם־אׇ֭מְרִי אֶשְׁכְּחָ֣ה שִׂיחִ֑י אֶעֶזְבָ֖ה פָנַ֣י וְאַבְלִֽיגָה׃ If I say, “I will forget my complaint;
Abandon my sorrow^dLit. “face.” and be diverted,”

יָגֹ֥רְתִּי כׇל־עַצְּבֹתָ֑י יָ֝דַ֗עְתִּי כִּי־לֹ֥א תְנַקֵּֽנִי׃ I remain in dread of all my suffering;
I know that You will not acquit me.

אָנֹכִ֥י אֶרְשָׁ֑ע לָמָּה־זֶּ֝֗ה הֶ֣בֶל אִיגָֽע׃ It will be I who am in the wrong;
Why then should I waste effort?

אִם־הִתְרָחַ֥צְתִּי (במו) [בְמֵי־]שָׁ֑לֶג וַ֝הֲזִכּ֗וֹתִי בְּבֹ֣ר כַּפָּֽי׃ If I washed with soap,
Cleansed my hands with lye,

אָ֭ז בַּשַּׁ֣חַת תִּטְבְּלֵ֑נִי וְ֝תִעֲב֗וּנִי שַׂלְמוֹתָֽי׃ You would dip me in muck
Till my clothes would abhor me.

כִּֽי־לֹא־אִ֣ישׁ כָּמ֣וֹנִי אֶעֱנֶ֑נּוּ נָב֥וֹא יַ֝חְדָּ֗ו בַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט׃ He is not a man, like me, that I can answer Him,
That we can go to law together.

לֹ֣א יֵשׁ־בֵּינֵ֣ינוּ מוֹכִ֑יחַ יָשֵׁ֖ת יָד֣וֹ עַל־שְׁנֵֽינוּ׃ No arbiter is between us
To lay his hand on us both.

יָסֵ֣ר מֵעָלַ֣י שִׁבְט֑וֹ וְ֝אֵמָת֗וֹ אַֽל־תְּבַעֲתַֽנִּי׃ If He would only take His rod away from me
And not let His terror frighten me,

אֲֽ֭דַבְּרָה וְלֹ֣א אִירָאֶ֑נּוּ כִּ֥י לֹא־כֵ֥ן אָ֝נֹכִ֗י עִמָּדִֽי׃ Then I would speak out without fear of Him;
For I know myself not to be so.

נָֽקְטָ֥ה נַפְשִׁ֗י בְּחַ֫יָּ֥י אֶעֶזְבָ֣ה עָלַ֣י שִׂיחִ֑י אֲ֝דַבְּרָ֗ה בְּמַ֣ר נַפְשִֽׁי׃ I am disgusted with life;
I will give rein to my complaint,
Speak in the bitterness of my soul.

אֹמַ֣ר אֶל־אֱ֭לוֹהַּ אַל־תַּרְשִׁיעֵ֑נִי ה֝וֹדִיעֵ֗נִי עַ֣ל מַה־תְּרִיבֵֽנִי׃ I say to God, “Do not condemn me;
Let me know what You charge me with.

הֲט֤וֹב לְךָ֨ ׀ כִּֽי־תַעֲשֹׁ֗ק כִּֽי־תִ֭מְאַס יְגִ֣יעַ כַּפֶּ֑יךָ וְעַל־עֲצַ֖ת רְשָׁעִ֣ים הוֹפָֽעְתָּ׃ Does it benefit You to defraud,
To despise the toil of Your hands,
While smiling on the counsel of the wicked?

הַעֵינֵ֣י בָשָׂ֣ר לָ֑ךְ אִם־כִּרְא֖וֹת אֱנ֣וֹשׁ תִּרְאֶֽה׃ Do You have the eyes of flesh?
Is Your vision that of mere men?

הֲכִימֵ֣י אֱנ֣וֹשׁ יָמֶ֑יךָ אִם־שְׁ֝נוֹתֶ֗יךָ כִּ֣ימֵי גָֽבֶר׃ Are Your days the days of a mortal,
Are Your years the years of a man,

כִּֽי־תְבַקֵּ֥שׁ לַעֲוֺנִ֑י וּֽלְחַטָּאתִ֥י תִדְרֽוֹשׁ׃ That You seek my iniquity
And search out my sin?

עַֽל־דַּ֭עְתְּךָ כִּי־לֹ֣א אֶרְשָׁ֑ע וְאֵ֖ין מִיָּדְךָ֣ מַצִּֽיל׃ You know that I am not guilty,
And that there is none to deliver from Your hand.

יָדֶ֣יךָ עִ֭צְּבוּנִי וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֑וּנִי יַ֥חַד סָ֝בִ֗יב וַֽתְּבַלְּעֵֽנִי׃ “Your hands shaped and fashioned me,
Then destroyed every part of me.

זְכׇר־נָ֭א כִּֽי־כַחֹ֣מֶר עֲשִׂיתָ֑נִי וְֽאֶל־עָפָ֥ר תְּשִׁיבֵֽנִי׃ Consider that You fashioned me like clay;
Will You then turn me back into dust?

הֲלֹ֣א כֶ֭חָלָב תַּתִּיכֵ֑נִי וְ֝כַגְּבִנָּ֗ה תַּקְפִּיאֵֽנִי׃ You poured me out like milk,
Congealed me like cheese;

ע֣וֹר וּ֭בָשָׂר תַּלְבִּישֵׁ֑נִי וּֽבַעֲצָמ֥וֹת וְ֝גִידִ֗ים תְּשֹׂכְכֵֽנִי׃ You clothed me with skin and flesh
And wove me of bones and sinews;

חַיִּ֣ים וָ֭חֶסֶד עָשִׂ֣יתָ עִמָּדִ֑י וּ֝פְקֻדָּתְךָ֗ שָֽׁמְרָ֥ה רוּחִֽי׃ You bestowed on me life and care;
Your providence watched over my spirit.

וְ֭אֵלֶּה צָפַ֣נְתָּ בִלְבָבֶ֑ךָ יָ֝דַ֗עְתִּי כִּי־זֹ֥את עִמָּֽךְ׃ Yet these things You hid in Your heart;
I know that You had this in mind:

אִם־חָטָ֥אתִי וּשְׁמַרְתָּ֑נִי וּ֝מֵעֲוֺנִ֗י לֹ֣א תְנַקֵּֽנִי׃ To watch me when I sinned
And not clear me of my iniquity;

אִם־רָשַׁ֡עְתִּי אַלְלַ֬י לִ֗י וְ֭צָדַקְתִּי לֹא־אֶשָּׂ֣א רֹאשִׁ֑י שְׂבַ֥ע קָ֝ל֗וֹן וּרְאֵ֥ה עׇנְיִֽי׃ Should I be guilty—the worse for me!
And even when innocent, I cannot lift my head;
So sated am I with shame,
And drenched in my misery.

וְ֭יִגְאֶה כַּשַּׁ֣חַל תְּצוּדֵ֑נִי וְ֝תָשֹׁ֗ב תִּתְפַּלָּא־בִֽי׃ ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.It is something to be proud of^-a to hunt me like a lion,
To ^bOr “make sport of”; cf. Pal. Aram. ’afli.show Yourself wondrous through^-b me time and again!

תְּחַדֵּ֬שׁ עֵדֶ֨יךָ ׀ נֶגְדִּ֗י וְתֶ֣רֶב כַּ֭עַשְׂךָ עִמָּדִ֑י חֲלִיפ֖וֹת וְצָבָ֣א עִמִּֽי׃ You keep sending fresh witnesses against me,
Letting Your vexation with me grow.
^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.I serve my term and am my own replacement.^-a

וְלָ֣מָּה מֵ֭רֶחֶם הֹצֵאתָ֑נִי אֶ֝גְוַ֗ע וְעַ֣יִן לֹֽא־תִרְאֵֽנִי׃ “Why did You let me come out of the womb?
Better had I expired before any eye saw me,

כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא־הָיִ֣יתִי אֶהְיֶ֑ה מִ֝בֶּ֗טֶן לַקֶּ֥בֶר אוּבָֽל׃ Had I been as though I never was,
Had I been carried from the womb to the grave.

הֲלֹֽא־מְעַ֣ט יָמַ֣י (יחדל) [וַחֲדָ֑ל] (ישית) [וְשִׁ֥ית] מִ֝מֶּ֗נִּי וְאַבְלִ֥יגָה מְּעָֽט׃ My days are few, so desist!
Leave me alone, let me be diverted a while

בְּטֶ֣רֶם אֵ֭לֵךְ וְלֹ֣א אָשׁ֑וּב אֶל־אֶ֖רֶץ חֹ֣שֶׁךְ וְצַלְמָֽוֶת׃ Before I depart—never to return—
For the land of deepest gloom;

אֶ֤רֶץ עֵפָ֨תָה ׀ כְּמ֥וֹ אֹ֗פֶל צַ֭לְמָוֶת וְלֹ֥א סְדָרִ֗ים וַתֹּ֥פַע כְּמוֹ־אֹֽפֶל׃ {פ}
A land whose light is darkness,
All gloom and disarray,
Whose light is like darkness.”

וַ֭יַּעַן צֹפַ֥ר הַֽנַּעֲמָתִ֗י וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ Then Zophar the Naamathite said in reply:

הֲרֹ֣ב דְּ֭בָרִים לֹ֣א יֵעָנֶ֑ה וְאִם־אִ֖ישׁ שְׂפָתַ֣יִם יִצְדָּֽק׃ Is a multitude of words unanswerable?
Must a loquacious person be right?

בַּ֭דֶּיךָ מְתִ֣ים יַחֲרִ֑ישׁוּ וַ֝תִּלְעַ֗ג וְאֵ֣ין מַכְלִֽם׃ Your prattle may silence men;
You may mock without being rebuked,

וַ֭תֹּאמֶר זַ֣ךְ לִקְחִ֑י וּ֝בַ֗ר הָיִ֥יתִי בְעֵינֶֽיךָ׃ And say, “My doctrine is pure,
And I have been innocent in Your sight.”

וְֽאוּלָ֗ם מִֽי־יִתֵּ֣ן אֱל֣וֹהַּ דַּבֵּ֑ר וְיִפְתַּ֖ח שְׂפָתָ֣יו עִמָּֽךְ׃ But would that God might speak,
And talk to you Himself.

וְיַגֶּד־לְךָ֨ ׀ תַּ֥עֲלֻמ֣וֹת חׇכְמָה֮ כִּֽי־כִפְלַ֢יִם לְֽת֫וּשִׁיָּ֥ה וְדַ֡ע כִּֽי־יַשֶּׁ֥ה לְךָ֥ אֱ֝ל֗וֹהַּ מֵעֲוֺנֶֽךָ׃ He would tell you the secrets of wisdom,
^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.For there are many sides to sagacity;
And know that God has overlooked for you some of your iniquity.^-a

הַחֵ֣קֶר אֱל֣וֹהַּ תִּמְצָ֑א אִ֤ם עַד־תַּכְלִ֖ית שַׁדַּ֣י תִּמְצָֽא׃ Would you discover the mystery of God?
Would you discover the limit of the Almighty?

גׇּבְהֵ֣י שָׁ֭מַיִם מַה־תִּפְעָ֑ל עֲמֻקָּ֥ה מִ֝שְּׁא֗וֹל מַה־תֵּדָֽע׃ Higher than heaven—what can you do?
Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?

אֲרֻכָּ֣ה מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִדָּ֑הּ וּ֝רְחָבָ֗ה מִנִּי־יָֽם׃ Its measure is longer than the earth
And broader than the sea.

אִם־יַחֲלֹ֥ף וְיַסְגִּ֑יר וְ֝יַקְהִ֗יל וּמִ֣י יְשִׁיבֶֽנּוּ׃ ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.Should He pass by, or confine,
Or call an assembly, who can stop Him?^-a

כִּי־ה֭וּא יָדַ֣ע מְתֵי־שָׁ֑וְא וַיַּרְא־אָ֝֗וֶן וְלֹ֣א יִתְבּוֹנָֽן׃ For He knows deceitful men;
When He sees iniquity, does He not discern it?

וְאִ֣ישׁ נָ֭בוּב יִלָּבֵ֑ב וְעַ֥יִר פֶּ֝֗רֶא אָדָ֥ם יִוָּלֵֽד׃ ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.A hollow man will get understanding,
When a wild ass is born a man.^-a

אִם־אַ֭תָּה הֲכִינ֣וֹתָ לִבֶּ֑ךָ וּפָרַשְׂתָּ֖ אֵלָ֣יו כַּפֶּֽיךָ׃ But if you direct your mind,
And spread forth your hands toward Him—

אִם־אָ֣וֶן בְּ֭יָדְךָ הַרְחִיקֵ֑הוּ וְאַל־תַּשְׁכֵּ֖ן בְּאֹהָלֶ֣יךָ עַוְלָֽה׃ If there is iniquity with you, remove it,
And do not let injustice reside in your tent—

כִּי־אָ֤ז ׀ תִּשָּׂ֣א פָנֶ֣יךָ מִמּ֑וּם וְהָיִ֥יתָ מֻ֝צָ֗ק וְלֹ֣א תִירָֽא׃ Then, free of blemish, you will hold your head high,
And, ^bHeb. muṣaq; other Heb. editions muṣṣaq, “you will be firm.”when in straits,^-b be unafraid.

כִּֽי־אַ֭תָּה עָמָ֣ל תִּשְׁכָּ֑ח כְּמַ֖יִם עָבְר֣וּ תִזְכֹּֽר׃ You will then put your misery out of mind,
Consider it as water that has flowed past.

וּֽ֭מִצׇּהֳרַיִם יָק֣וּם חָ֑לֶד תָּ֝עֻ֗פָה כַּבֹּ֥קֶר תִּהְיֶֽה׃ ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.Life will be brighter than noon;^-a
You will shine, you will be like the morning.

וּֽ֭בָטַחְתָּ כִּֽי־יֵ֣שׁ תִּקְוָ֑ה וְ֝חָפַרְתָּ֗ לָבֶ֥טַח תִּשְׁכָּֽב׃ You will be secure, for there is hope,
^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.And, entrenched,^-a you will rest secure;

וְֽ֭רָבַצְתָּ וְאֵ֣ין מַחֲרִ֑יד וְחִלּ֖וּ פָנֶ֣יךָ רַבִּֽים׃ You will lie down undisturbed;
The great will court your favor.

וְעֵינֵ֥י רְשָׁעִ֗ים תִּ֫כְלֶ֥ינָה וּ֭מָנוֹס אָבַ֣ד מִנְהֶ֑ם וְ֝תִקְוָתָ֗ם מַֽפַּֽח־נָֽפֶשׁ׃ {פ}
But the eyes of the wicked pine away;
Escape is cut off from them;
They have only their last breath to look forward to.

וַיַּ֥עַן אִיּ֗וֹב וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ Then Job said in reply:

אׇ֭מְנָם כִּ֣י אַתֶּם־עָ֑ם וְ֝עִמָּכֶ֗ם תָּמ֥וּת חׇכְמָֽה׃ Indeed, you are the [voice of] the people,
And wisdom will die with you.

גַּם־לִ֤י לֵבָ֨ב ׀ כְּֽמוֹכֶ֗ם לֹא־נֹפֵ֣ל אָנֹכִ֣י מִכֶּ֑ם וְאֶת־מִי־אֵ֥ין כְּמוֹ־אֵֽלֶּה׃ But I, like you, have a mind,
And am not less than you.
Who does not know such things?

שְׂחֹ֤ק לְרֵעֵ֨הוּ ׀ אֶהְיֶ֗ה קֹרֵ֣א לֶ֭אֱלוֹהַּ וַֽיַּעֲנֵ֑הוּ שְׂ֝ח֗וֹק צַדִּ֥יק תָּמִֽים׃ I have become a laughingstock to my friend—
“One who calls to God and is answered,
Blamelessly innocent”—a laughingstock.

לַפִּ֣יד בּ֭וּז לְעַשְׁתּ֣וּת שַׁאֲנָ֑ן נָ֝כ֗וֹן לְמ֣וֹעֲדֵי רָֽגֶל׃ ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.In the thought of the complacent there is contempt for calamity;
It is ready for those whose foot slips.-^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.

יִשְׁלָ֤יוּ אֹהָלִ֨ים ׀ לְשֹׁ֥דְדִ֗ים וּֽ֭בַטֻּחוֹת לְמַרְגִּ֣יזֵי אֵ֑ל לַאֲשֶׁ֤ר הֵבִ֖יא אֱל֣וֹהַּ בְּיָדֽוֹ׃ Robbers live untroubled in their tents,
And those who provoke God are secure,
^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.Those whom God’s hands have produced.^-a

וְֽאוּלָ֗ם שְׁאַל־נָ֣א בְהֵמ֣וֹת וְתֹרֶ֑ךָּ וְע֥וֹף הַ֝שָּׁמַ֗יִם וְיַגֶּד־לָֽךְ׃ But ask the beasts, and they will teach you;
The birds of the sky, they will tell you,

א֤וֹ שִׂ֣יחַ לָאָ֣רֶץ וְתֹרֶ֑ךָּ וִיסַפְּר֥וּ לְ֝ךָ֗ דְּגֵ֣י הַיָּֽם׃ Or speak to the earth, it will teach you;
The fish of the sea, they will inform you.

מִ֭י לֹא־יָדַ֣ע בְּכׇל־אֵ֑לֶּה כִּ֥י יַד־יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה עָ֣שְׂתָה זֹּֽאת׃ Who among all these does not know
That the hand of the LORD has done this?

אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּ֭יָדוֹ נֶ֣פֶשׁ כׇּל־חָ֑י וְ֝ר֗וּחַ כׇּל־בְּשַׂר־אִֽישׁ׃ In His hand is every living soul
And the breath of all mankind.

הֲלֹא־אֹ֭זֶן מִלִּ֣ין תִּבְחָ֑ן וְ֝חֵ֗ךְ אֹ֣כֶל יִטְעַם־לֽוֹ׃ Truly, the ear tests arguments
As the palate tastes foods.

בִּישִׁישִׁ֥ים חׇכְמָ֑ה וְאֹ֖רֶךְ יָמִ֣ים תְּבוּנָֽה׃ Is wisdom in the aged
And understanding in the long-lived?

עִ֭מּוֹ חׇכְמָ֣ה וּגְבוּרָ֑ה ל֝֗וֹ עֵצָ֥ה וּתְבוּנָֽה׃ With Him are wisdom and courage;
His are counsel and understanding.

הֵ֣ן יַ֭הֲרוֹס וְלֹ֣א יִבָּנֶ֑ה יִסְגֹּ֥ר עַל־אִ֝֗ישׁ וְלֹ֣א יִפָּתֵֽחַ׃ Whatever He tears down cannot be rebuilt;
Whomever He imprisons cannot be set free.

הֵ֤ן יַעְצֹ֣ר בַּמַּ֣יִם וְיִבָ֑שׁוּ וִ֝ישַׁלְּחֵ֗ם וְיַ֖הַפְכוּ אָֽרֶץ׃ When He holds back the waters, they dry up;
When He lets them loose, they tear up the land.

עִ֭מּוֹ עֹ֣ז וְתוּשִׁיָּ֑ה ל֝֗וֹ שֹׁגֵ֥ג וּמַשְׁגֶּֽה׃ With Him are strength and resourcefulness;
Erring and causing to err are from Him.

מוֹלִ֣יךְ יוֹעֲצִ֣ים שׁוֹלָ֑ל וְֽשֹׁפְטִ֥ים יְהוֹלֵֽל׃ He makes counselors go about naked^bA sign of madness.
And causes judges to go mad.

מוּסַ֣ר מְלָכִ֣ים פִּתֵּ֑חַ וַיֶּאְסֹ֥ר אֵ֝ז֗וֹר בְּמׇתְנֵיהֶֽם׃ He undoes the belts of kings,
And fastens loincloths on them.

מוֹלִ֣יךְ כֹּהֲנִ֣ים שׁוֹלָ֑ל וְאֵ֖תָנִ֣ים יְסַלֵּֽף׃ He makes priests go about naked,^bA sign of madness.
And leads temple-servants^cCf. Ugaritic ytnm, a class of temple servants; others “the mighty.” astray.

מֵסִ֣יר שָׂ֭פָה לְנֶאֱמָנִ֑ים וְטַ֖עַם זְקֵנִ֣ים יִקָּֽח׃ He deprives trusty men of speech,
And takes away the reason of elders.

שׁוֹפֵ֣ךְ בּ֭וּז עַל־נְדִיבִ֑ים וּמְזִ֖יחַ אֲפִיקִ֣ים רִפָּֽה׃ He pours disgrace upon great men,
And loosens the belt of the mighty.

מְגַלֶּ֣ה עֲ֭מֻקוֹת מִנִּי־חֹ֑שֶׁךְ וַיֹּצֵ֖א לָא֣וֹר צַלְמָֽוֶת׃ He draws mysteries out of the darkness,
And brings obscurities to light.

מַשְׂגִּ֣יא לַ֭גּוֹיִם וַֽיְאַבְּדֵ֑ם שֹׁטֵ֥חַ לַ֝גּוֹיִ֗ם וַיַּנְחֵֽם׃ He exalts nations, then destroys them;
He expands nations, then leads them away.

מֵסִ֗יר לֵ֭ב רָאשֵׁ֣י עַם־הָאָ֑רֶץ וַ֝יַּתְעֵ֗ם בְּתֹ֣הוּ לֹא־דָֽרֶךְ׃ He deranges the leaders of the people,
And makes them wander in a trackless waste.

יְמַֽשְׁשׁוּ־חֹ֥שֶׁךְ וְלֹא־א֑וֹר וַ֝יַּתְעֵ֗ם כַּשִּׁכּֽוֹר׃ They grope without light in the darkness;
He makes them wander as if drunk.

הֶן־כֹּ֭ל רָאֲתָ֣ה עֵינִ֑י שָֽׁמְעָ֥ה אׇ֝זְנִ֗י וַתָּ֥בֶן לָֽהּ׃ My eye has seen all this;
My ear has heard and understood it.

כְּֽ֭דַעְתְּכֶם יָדַ֣עְתִּי גַם־אָ֑נִי לֹֽא־נֹפֵ֖ל אָנֹכִ֣י מִכֶּֽם׃ What you know, I know also;
I am not less than you.

אוּלָ֗ם אֲ֭נִי אֶל־שַׁדַּ֣י אֲדַבֵּ֑ר וְהוֹכֵ֖חַ אֶל־אֵ֣ל אֶחְפָּֽץ׃ Indeed, I would speak to the Almighty;
I insist on arguing with God.

וְֽאוּלָ֗ם אַתֶּ֥ם טֹפְלֵי־שָׁ֑קֶר רֹפְאֵ֖י אֱלִ֣ל כֻּלְּכֶֽם׃ But you invent lies;
All of you are quacks.

מִי־יִ֭תֵּן הַחֲרֵ֣שׁ תַּחֲרִישׁ֑וּן וּתְהִ֖י לָכֶ֣ם לְחׇכְמָֽה׃ If you would only keep quiet
It would be considered wisdom on your part.

שִׁמְעוּ־נָ֥א תוֹכַחְתִּ֑י וְרִב֖וֹת שְׂפָתַ֣י הַקְשִֽׁיבוּ׃ Hear now my arguments,
Listen to my pleading.

הַ֭לְאֵל תְּדַבְּר֣וּ עַוְלָ֑ה וְ֝ל֗וֹ תְּֽדַבְּר֥וּ רְמִיָּֽה׃ Will you speak unjustly on God’s behalf?
Will you speak deceitfully for Him?

הֲפָנָ֥יו תִּשָּׂא֑וּן אִם־לָאֵ֥ל תְּרִיבֽוּן׃ Will you be partial toward Him?
Will you plead God’s cause?

הֲ֭טוֹב כִּֽי־יַחְקֹ֣ר אֶתְכֶ֑ם אִם־כְּהָתֵ֥ל בֶּ֝אֱנ֗וֹשׁ תְּהָתֵ֥לּוּ בֽוֹ׃ Will it go well when He examines you?
Will you fool Him as one fools men?

הוֹכֵ֣חַ יוֹכִ֣יחַ אֶתְכֶ֑ם אִם־בַּ֝סֵּ֗תֶר פָּנִ֥ים תִּשָּׂאֽוּן׃ He will surely reprove you
If in ^aLit. “secret.”your heart^-a you are partial toward Him.

הֲלֹ֣א שְׂ֭אֵתוֹ תְּבַעֵ֣ת אֶתְכֶ֑ם וּ֝פַחְדּ֗וֹ יִפֹּ֥ל עֲלֵיכֶֽם׃ His threat will terrify you,
And His fear will seize you.

זִֽ֭כְרֹנֵיכֶם מִשְׁלֵי־אֵ֑פֶר לְגַבֵּי־חֹ֝֗מֶר גַּבֵּיכֶֽם׃ Your briefs are empty^bLit. “ashen.” platitudes;
Your responses are unsubstantial.^cLit. “clayey.”

הַחֲרִ֣ישׁוּ מִ֭מֶּנִּי וַאֲדַבְּרָה־אָ֑נִי וְיַעֲבֹ֖ר עָלַ֣י מָֽה׃ Keep quiet; I will have my say,
Come what may upon me.

עַל־מָ֤ה ׀ אֶשָּׂ֣א בְשָׂרִ֣י בְשִׁנָּ֑י וְ֝נַפְשִׁ֗י אָשִׂ֥ים בְּכַפִּֽי׃ How long! I will take my flesh in my teeth;
I will take my life in my hands.

הֵ֣ן יִ֭קְטְלֵנִי (לא) [ל֣וֹ] אֲיַחֵ֑ל אַךְ־דְּ֝רָכַ֗י אֶל־פָּנָ֥יו אוֹכִֽיחַ׃ ^dSo with kethib; others with qere “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”He may well slay me; I may have no hope;^-d
Yet I will argue my case before Him.

גַּם־הוּא־לִ֥י לִישׁוּעָ֑ה כִּי־לֹ֥א לְ֝פָנָ֗יו חָנֵ֥ף יָבֽוֹא׃ In this too is my salvation:
That no impious man can come into His presence.

שִׁמְע֣וּ שָׁ֭מוֹעַ מִלָּתִ֑י וְ֝אַחֲוָתִ֗י בְּאׇזְנֵיכֶֽם׃ Listen closely to my words;
Give ear to my discourse.

הִנֵּה־נָ֭א עָרַ֣כְתִּי מִשְׁפָּ֑ט יָ֝דַ֗עְתִּי כִּי־אֲנִ֥י אֶצְדָּֽק׃ See now, I have prepared a case;
I know that I will win it.

מִי־ה֭וּא יָרִ֣יב עִמָּדִ֑י כִּֽי־עַתָּ֖ה אַחֲרִ֣ישׁ וְאֶגְוָֽע׃ For who is it that would challenge me?
I should then keep silent and expire.

אַךְ־שְׁ֭תַּיִם אַל־תַּ֣עַשׂ עִמָּדִ֑י אָ֥ז מִ֝פָּנֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א אֶסָּתֵֽר׃ But two things do not do to me,
So that I need not hide from You:

כַּ֭פְּךָ מֵעָלַ֣י הַרְחַ֑ק וְ֝אֵ֥מָתְךָ֗ אַֽל־תְּבַעֲתַֽנִּי׃ Remove Your hand from me,
And let not Your terror frighten me.

וּ֭קְרָא וְאָנֹכִ֣י אֶעֱנֶ֑ה אֽוֹ־אֲ֝דַבֵּ֗ר וַהֲשִׁיבֵֽנִי׃ Then summon me and I will respond,
Or I will speak and You reply to me.

כַּמָּ֣ה לִ֭י עֲוֺנ֣וֹת וְחַטָּא֑וֹת פִּֽשְׁעִ֥י וְ֝חַטָּאתִ֗י הֹדִיעֵֽנִי׃ How many are my iniquities and sins?
Advise me of my transgression and sin.

לָֽמָּה־פָנֶ֥יךָ תַסְתִּ֑יר וְתַחְשְׁבֵ֖נִי לְאוֹיֵ֣ב לָֽךְ׃ Why do You hide Your face,
And treat me like an enemy?

הֶעָלֶ֣ה נִדָּ֣ף תַּעֲר֑וֹץ וְאֶת־קַ֖שׁ יָבֵ֣שׁ תִּרְדֹּֽף׃ Will You harass a driven leaf,
Will You pursue dried-up straw,

כִּֽי־תִכְתֹּ֣ב עָלַ֣י מְרֹר֑וֹת וְ֝תוֹרִישֵׁ֗נִי עֲוֺנ֥וֹת נְעוּרָֽי׃ That You decree for me bitter things
And make me ^eLit. “inherit.”answer for^-e the iniquities of my youth,

וְתָ֘שֵׂ֤ם בַּסַּ֨ד ׀ רַגְלַ֗י וְתִשְׁמ֥וֹר כׇּל־אׇרְחוֹתָ֑י עַל־שׇׁרְשֵׁ֥י רַ֝גְלַ֗י תִּתְחַקֶּֽה׃ That You put my feet in the stocks
And watch all my ways,
^fMeaning of Heb. uncertain.Hemming in my footsteps?^-f

וְ֭הוּא כְּרָקָ֣ב יִבְלֶ֑ה כְּ֝בֶ֗גֶד אֲכָ֣לוֹ עָֽשׁ׃ Man wastes away like a rotten thing,
Like a garment eaten by moths.

אָ֭דָם יְל֣וּד אִשָּׁ֑ה קְצַ֥ר יָ֝מִ֗ים וּֽשְׂבַֽע־רֹֽגֶז׃ Man born of woman is short-lived and sated with trouble.

כְּצִ֣יץ יָ֭צָא וַיִּמָּ֑ל וַיִּבְרַ֥ח כַּ֝צֵּ֗ל וְלֹ֣א יַעֲמֽוֹד׃ He blossoms like a flower and withers;
He vanishes like a shadow and does not endure.

אַף־עַל־זֶ֭ה פָּקַ֣חְתָּ עֵינֶ֑ךָ וְאֹ֘תִ֤י תָבִ֖יא בְמִשְׁפָּ֣ט עִמָּֽךְ׃ Do You fix Your gaze on such a one?
Will You go to law with me?

מִֽי־יִתֵּ֣ן טָ֭הוֹר מִטָּמֵ֗א לֹ֣א אֶחָֽד׃ ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.Who can produce a clean thing out of an unclean one? No one!^-a

אִ֥ם חֲרוּצִ֨ים ׀ יָמָ֗יו מִֽסְפַּר־חֳדָשָׁ֥יו אִתָּ֑ךְ חֻקָּ֥ו עָ֝שִׂ֗יתָ וְלֹ֣א יַעֲבֹֽר׃ His days are determined;
You know the number of his months;
You have set him limits that he cannot pass.

שְׁעֵ֣ה מֵעָלָ֣יו וְיֶחְדָּ֑ל עַד־יִ֝רְצֶ֗ה כְּשָׂכִ֥יר יוֹמֽוֹ׃ Turn away from him, that he may be at ease
Until, like a hireling, he finishes out his day.

כִּ֤י יֵ֥שׁ לָעֵ֗ץ תִּ֫קְוָ֥ה אִֽם־יִ֭כָּרֵת וְע֣וֹד יַחֲלִ֑יף וְ֝יֹנַקְתּ֗וֹ לֹ֣א תֶחְדָּֽל׃ There is hope for a tree;
If it is cut down it will renew itself;
Its shoots will not cease.

אִם־יַזְקִ֣ין בָּאָ֣רֶץ שׇׁרְשׁ֑וֹ וּ֝בֶעָפָ֗ר יָמ֥וּת גִּזְעֽוֹ׃ If its roots are old in the earth,
And its stump dies in the ground,

מֵרֵ֣יחַ מַ֣יִם יַפְרִ֑חַ וְעָשָׂ֖ה קָצִ֣יר כְּמוֹ־נָֽטַע׃ At the scent of water it will bud
And produce branches like a sapling.

וְגֶ֣בֶר יָ֭מוּת וַֽיֶּחֱלָ֑שׁ וַיִּגְוַ֖ע אָדָ֣ם וְאַיּֽוֹ׃ But mortals languish and die;
Man expires; where is he?

אָזְלוּ־מַ֭יִם מִנִּי־יָ֑ם וְ֝נָהָ֗ר יֶחֱרַ֥ב וְיָבֵֽשׁ׃ The waters of the sea fail,
And the river dries up and is parched.

וְאִ֥ישׁ שָׁכַ֗ב וְֽלֹא־יָ֫ק֥וּם עַד־בִּלְתִּ֣י שָׁ֭מַיִם לֹ֣א יָקִ֑יצוּ וְלֹֽא־יֵ֝עֹ֗רוּ מִשְּׁנָתָֽם׃ So man lies down never to rise;
He will awake only when the heavens are no more,
Only then be aroused from his sleep.

מִ֤י יִתֵּ֨ן ׀ בִּשְׁא֬וֹל תַּצְפִּנֵ֗נִי תַּ֭סְתִּירֵנִי עַד־שׁ֣וּב אַפֶּ֑ךָ תָּ֤שִֽׁית לִ֖י חֹ֣ק וְתִזְכְּרֵֽנִי׃ O that You would hide me in Sheol,
Conceal me until Your anger passes,
Set me a fixed time to attend to me.

אִם־יָמ֥וּת גֶּ֗בֶר הֲיִֽ֫חְיֶ֥ה כׇּל־יְמֵ֣י צְבָאִ֣י אֲיַחֵ֑ל עַד־בּ֝֗וֹא חֲלִיפָתִֽי׃ If a man dies, can he live again?
All the time of my service I wait
Until my replacement comes.

תִּ֭קְרָא וְאָנֹכִ֣י אֶעֱנֶ֑ךָּ לְֽמַעֲשֵׂ֖ה יָדֶ֣יךָ תִכְסֹֽף׃ You would call and I would answer You;
You would set Your heart on Your handiwork.

כִּֽי־עַ֭תָּה צְעָדַ֣י תִּסְפּ֑וֹר לֹֽא־תִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר עַל־חַטָּאתִֽי׃ Then You would not count my steps,
Or keep watch over my sin.

חָתֻ֣ם בִּצְר֣וֹר פִּשְׁעִ֑י וַ֝תִּטְפֹּ֗ל עַל־עֲוֺנִֽי׃ My transgression would be sealed up in a pouch;
You would coat over my iniquity.

וְ֭אוּלָם הַר־נוֹפֵ֣ל יִבּ֑וֹל וְ֝צ֗וּר יֶעְתַּ֥ק מִמְּקֹמֽוֹ׃ Mountains collapse and crumble;
Rocks are dislodged from their place.

אֲבָנִ֤ים ׀ שָׁ֥חֲקוּ מַ֗יִם תִּשְׁטֹֽף־סְפִיחֶ֥יהָ עֲפַר־אָ֑רֶץ וְתִקְוַ֖ת אֱנ֣וֹשׁ הֶֽאֱבַֽדְתָּ׃ Water wears away stone;
Torrents wash away earth;
So you destroy man’s hope,

תִּתְקְפֵ֣הוּ לָ֭נֶצַח וַֽיַּהֲלֹ֑ךְ מְשַׁנֶּ֥ה פָ֝נָ֗יו וַֽתְּשַׁלְּחֵֽהוּ׃ You overpower him forever and he perishes;
You alter his visage and dispatch him.

יִכְבְּד֣וּ בָ֭נָיו וְלֹ֣א יֵדָ֑ע וְ֝יִצְעֲר֗וּ וְֽלֹא־יָבִ֥ין לָֽמוֹ׃ His sons attain honor and he does not know it;
They are humbled and he is not aware of it.

אַךְ־בְּ֭שָׂרוֹ עָלָ֣יו יִכְאָ֑ב וְ֝נַפְשׁ֗וֹ עָלָ֥יו תֶּאֱבָֽל׃ {פ}
He feels only the pain of his flesh,
And his spirit mourns in him.

וַ֭יַּעַן אֱלִיפַ֥ז הַֽתֵּימָנִ֗י וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ Eliphaz the Temanite said in reply:

הֶחָכָ֗ם יַעֲנֶ֥ה דַעַת־ר֑וּחַ וִימַלֵּ֖א קָדִ֣ים בִּטְנֽוֹ׃ Does a wise man answer with windy opinions,
And fill his belly with the east wind?

הוֹכֵ֣חַ בְּ֭דָבָר לֹ֣א יִסְכּ֑וֹן וּ֝מִלִּ֗ים לֹא־יוֹעִ֥יל בָּֽם׃ Should he argue with useless talk,
With words that are of no worth?

אַף־אַ֭תָּה תָּפֵ֣ר יִרְאָ֑ה וְתִגְרַ֥ע שִׂ֝יחָ֗ה לִפְנֵי־אֵֽל׃ You subvert piety
And restrain prayer to God.

כִּ֤י יְאַלֵּ֣ף עֲוֺנְךָ֣ פִ֑יךָ וְ֝תִבְחַ֗ר לְשׁ֣וֹן עֲרוּמִֽים׃ Your sinfulness dictates your speech,
So you choose crafty language.

יַרְשִׁיעֲךָ֣ פִ֣יךָ וְלֹא־אָ֑נִי וּ֝שְׂפָתֶ֗יךָ יַעֲנוּ־בָֽךְ׃ Your own mouth condemns you—not I;
Your lips testify against you.

הֲרִאישׁ֣וֹן אָ֭דָם תִּוָּלֵ֑ד וְלִפְנֵ֖י גְבָע֣וֹת חוֹלָֽלְתָּ׃ Were you the first man born?
Were you created before the hills?

הַבְס֣וֹד אֱל֣וֹהַּ תִּשְׁמָ֑ע וְתִגְרַ֖ע אֵלֶ֣יךָ חׇכְמָֽה׃ Have you listened in on the council of God?
Have you sole possession of wisdom?

מַה־יָּ֭דַעְתָּ וְלֹ֣א נֵדָ֑ע תָּ֝בִ֗ין וְֽלֹא־עִמָּ֥נוּ הֽוּא׃ What do you know that we do not know,
Or understand that we do not?

גַּם־שָׂ֣ב גַּם־יָשִׁ֣ישׁ בָּ֑נוּ כַּבִּ֖יר מֵאָבִ֣יךָ יָמִֽים׃ Among us are gray-haired old men,
Older by far than your father.

הַמְעַ֣ט מִ֭מְּךָ תַּנְחוּמ֣וֹת אֵ֑ל וְ֝דָבָ֗ר לָאַ֥ט עִמָּֽךְ׃ Are God’s consolations not enough for you,
And His gentle words to you?

מַה־יִּקָּחֲךָ֥ לִבֶּ֑ךָ וּֽמַה־יִּרְזְמ֥וּן עֵינֶֽיךָ׃ How your heart has carried you away,
How your eyes ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.have failed^-a you,

כִּֽי־תָשִׁ֣יב אֶל־אֵ֣ל רוּחֶ֑ךָ וְהֹצֵ֖אתָ מִפִּ֣יךָ מִלִּֽין׃ That you could vent your anger on God,
And let such words out of your mouth!

מָה־אֱנ֥וֹשׁ כִּֽי־יִזְכֶּ֑ה וְכִי־יִ֝צְדַּ֗ק יְל֣וּד אִשָּֽׁה׃ What is man that he can be cleared of guilt,
One born of woman, that he be in the right?

הֵ֣ן בִּ֭קְדֹשָׁו לֹ֣א יַאֲמִ֑ין וְ֝שָׁמַ֗יִם לֹא־זַכּ֥וּ בְעֵינָֽיו׃ He puts no trust in His holy ones;
The heavens are not guiltless in His sight;

אַ֭ף כִּי־נִתְעָ֥ב וְֽנֶאֱלָ֑ח אִישׁ־שֹׁתֶ֖ה כַמַּ֣יִם עַוְלָֽה׃ What then of one loathsome and foul,
Man, who drinks wrongdoing like water!

אֲחַוְךָ֥ שְֽׁמַֽע־לִ֑י וְזֶֽה־חָ֝זִ֗יתִי וַאֲסַפֵּֽרָה׃ I will hold forth; listen to me;
What I have seen, I will declare—

אֲשֶׁר־חֲכָמִ֥ים יַגִּ֑ידוּ וְלֹ֥א כִ֝חֲד֗וּ מֵאֲבוֹתָֽם׃ That which wise men have transmitted from their fathers,
And have not withheld,

לָהֶ֣ם לְ֭בַדָּם נִתְּנָ֣ה הָאָ֑רֶץ וְלֹא־עָ֖בַר זָ֣ר בְּתוֹכָֽם׃ To whom alone the land was given,
No stranger passing among them:

כׇּל־יְמֵ֣י רָ֭שָׁע ה֣וּא מִתְחוֹלֵ֑ל וּמִסְפַּ֥ר שָׁ֝נִ֗ים נִצְפְּנ֥וּ לֶעָרִֽיץ׃ The wicked man writhes in torment all his days;
Few years are reserved for the ruthless.

קוֹל־פְּחָדִ֥ים בְּאׇזְנָ֑יו בַּ֝שָּׁל֗וֹם שׁוֹדֵ֥ד יְבוֹאֶֽנּוּ׃ Frightening sounds fill his ears;
When he is at ease a robber falls upon him.

לֹא־יַאֲמִ֣ין שׁ֭וּב מִנִּי־חֹ֑שֶׁךְ (וצפו) [וְצָפ֖וּי] ה֣וּא אֱלֵי־חָֽרֶב׃ He is never sure he will come back from the dark;
A sword stares him in the face.

נֹ֘דֵ֤ד ה֣וּא לַלֶּ֣חֶם אַיֵּ֑ה יָדַ֓ע ׀ כִּי־נָכ֖וֹן בְּיָד֣וֹ יֽוֹם־חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃ He wanders about for bread—where is it?
He knows that the day of darkness has been readied for him.

יְֽ֭בַעֲתֻהוּ צַ֣ר וּמְצוּקָ֑ה תִּ֝תְקְפֵ֗הוּ כְּמֶ֤לֶךְ ׀ עָתִ֬יד לַכִּידֽוֹר׃ Troubles terrify him, anxiety overpowers him,
Like a king ^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.expecting a siege.^-a

כִּֽי־נָטָ֣ה אֶל־אֵ֣ל יָד֑וֹ וְאֶל־שַׁ֝דַּ֗י יִתְגַּבָּֽר׃ For he has raised his arm against God
And played the hero against the Almighty.

יָר֣וּץ אֵלָ֣יו בְּצַוָּ֑אר בַּ֝עֲבִ֗י גַּבֵּ֥י מָגִנָּֽיו׃ He runs at Him defiantly^bLit. “with neck.”
^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.With his thickly bossed shield.

כִּֽי־כִסָּ֣ה פָנָ֣יו בְּחֶלְבּ֑וֹ וַיַּ֖עַשׂ פִּימָ֣ה עֲלֵי־כָֽסֶל׃ His face is covered with fat
And his loins with blubber.^-a

וַיִּשְׁכּ֤וֹן ׀ עָ֘רִ֤ים נִכְחָד֗וֹת בָּ֭תִּים לֹא־יֵ֣שְׁבוּ לָ֑מוֹ אֲשֶׁ֖ר הִתְעַתְּד֣וּ לְגַלִּֽים׃ He dwells in cities doomed to ruin,
In houses that shall not be lived in,
That are destined to become heaps of rubble.

לֹֽא־יֶ֭עְשַׁר וְלֹא־יָק֣וּם חֵיל֑וֹ וְלֹא־יִטֶּ֖ה לָאָ֣רֶץ מִנְלָֽם׃ He will not be rich;
His wealth will not endure;
^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.His produce shall not bend to the earth.^-a

לֹֽא־יָס֨וּר ׀ מִנִּי־חֹ֗שֶׁךְ יֹ֭נַקְתּוֹ תְּיַבֵּ֣שׁ שַׁלְהָ֑בֶת וְ֝יָס֗וּר בְּר֣וּחַ פִּֽיו׃ He will never get away from the darkness;
Flames will sear his shoots;
^aMeaning of Heb. uncertain.He will pass away by the breath of His mouth.

אַל־יַאֲמֵ֣ן בַּשָּׁ֣ו נִתְעָ֑ה כִּי־שָׁ֝֗וְא תִּהְיֶ֥ה תְמוּרָתֽוֹ׃ He will not be trusted;
He will be misled by falsehood,
And falsehood will be his recompense.^a

בְּֽלֹא־י֭וֹמוֹ תִּמָּלֵ֑א וְ֝כִפָּת֗וֹ לֹ֣א רַעֲנָֽנָה׃ He will wither before his time,
His boughs never having flourished.

יַחְמֹ֣ס כַּגֶּ֣פֶן בִּסְר֑וֹ וְיַשְׁלֵ֥ךְ כַּ֝זַּ֗יִת נִצָּתֽוֹ׃ He will drop his unripe grapes like a vine;
He will shed his blossoms like an olive tree.

כִּֽי־עֲדַ֣ת חָנֵ֣ף גַּלְמ֑וּד וְ֝אֵ֗שׁ אָכְלָ֥ה אׇהֳלֵי־שֹֽׁחַד׃ For the company of the impious is desolate;
Fire consumes the tents of the briber;

הָרֹ֣ה עָ֭מָל וְיָ֣לֹֽד אָ֑וֶן וּ֝בִטְנָ֗ם תָּכִ֥ין מִרְמָֽה׃ {פ}
For they have conceived mischief, given birth to evil,
And their womb has produced deceit.

וַיַּ֥עַן אִיּ֗וֹב וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ Job said in reply:

שָׁמַ֣עְתִּי כְאֵ֣לֶּה רַבּ֑וֹת מְנַחֲמֵ֖י עָמָ֣ל כֻּלְּכֶֽם׃ I have often heard such things;
You are all mischievous comforters.

הֲקֵ֥ץ לְדִבְרֵי־ר֑וּחַ א֥וֹ מַה־יַּ֝מְרִֽיצְךָ֗ כִּ֣י תַֽעֲנֶֽה׃ Have windy words no limit?
What afflicts you that you speak on?

גַּ֤ם ׀ אָנֹכִי֮ כָּכֶ֢ם אֲדַ֫בֵּ֥רָה ל֤וּ יֵ֪שׁ נַפְשְׁכֶ֡ם תַּ֤חַת נַפְשִׁ֗י אַחְבִּ֣ירָה עֲלֵיכֶ֣ם בְּמִלִּ֑ים וְאָנִ֥יעָה עֲ֝לֵיכֶ֗ם בְּמ֣וֹ רֹאשִֽׁי׃ I would also talk like you
If you were in my place;
I would barrage you with words,
I would wag my head over you.

אֲאַמִּצְכֶ֥ם בְּמוֹ־פִ֑י וְנִ֖יד שְׂפָתַ֣י יַחְשֹֽׂךְ׃ I would encourage you with words,^aLit. “my mouth.”
My moving lips would bring relief.

אִֽם־אֲ֭דַבְּרָה לֹא־יֵחָשֵׂ֣ךְ כְּאֵבִ֑י וְ֝אַחְדְּלָ֗ה מַה־מִּנִּ֥י יַהֲלֹֽךְ׃ If I speak, my pain will not be relieved,
And if I do not—what have I lost?

אַךְ־עַתָּ֥ה הֶלְאָ֑נִי הֲ֝שִׁמּ֗וֹתָ כׇּל־עֲדָתִֽי׃ Now He has truly worn me out;
You have destroyed my whole community.

וַֽ֭תִּקְמְטֵנִי לְעֵ֣ד הָיָ֑ה וַיָּ֥קׇם בִּ֥י כַ֝חֲשִׁ֗י בְּפָנַ֥י יַעֲנֶֽה׃ You have shriveled me;
My gauntness serves as a witness,
And testifies against me.

אַפּ֤וֹ טָרַ֨ף ׀ וַֽיִּשְׂטְמֵ֗נִי חָרַ֣ק עָלַ֣י בְּשִׁנָּ֑יו צָרִ֓י ׀ יִלְטֹ֖שׁ עֵינָ֣יו לִֽי׃ In His anger He tears and persecutes me;
He gnashes His teeth at me;
My foe stabs me with his eyes.

פָּעֲר֬וּ עָלַ֨י ׀ בְּפִיהֶ֗ם בְּ֭חֶרְפָּה הִכּ֣וּ לְחָיָ֑י יַ֝֗חַד עָלַ֥י יִתְמַלָּאֽוּן׃ They open wide their mouths at me;
Reviling me, they strike my cheeks;
They inflame themselves against me.

יַסְגִּירֵ֣נִי אֵ֭ל אֶ֣ל עֲוִ֑יל וְעַל־יְדֵ֖י רְשָׁעִ֣ים יִרְטֵֽנִי׃ God hands me over to an evil man,
Thrusts me into the clutches of the wicked.

שָׁ֘לֵ֤ו הָיִ֨יתִי ׀ וַֽיְפַרְפְּרֵ֗נִי וְאָחַ֣ז בְּ֭עׇרְפִּי וַֽיְפַצְפְּצֵ֑נִי וַיְקִימֵ֥נִי ל֝֗וֹ לְמַטָּרָֽה׃ I had been untroubled, and He broke me in pieces;
He took me by the scruff and shattered me;
He set me up as His target;

יָ֘סֹ֤בּוּ עָלַ֨י ׀ רַבָּ֗יו יְפַלַּ֣ח כִּ֭לְיוֹתַי וְלֹ֣א יַחְמֹ֑ל יִשְׁפֹּ֥ךְ לָ֝אָ֗רֶץ מְרֵרָתִֽי׃ His bowmen surrounded me;
He pierced my kidneys; He showed no mercy;
He spilled my bile onto the ground.

יִפְרְצֵ֣נִי פֶ֭רֶץ עַל־פְּנֵי־פָ֑רֶץ יָרֻ֖ץ עָלַ֣י כְּגִבּֽוֹר׃ He breached me, breach after breach;
He rushed at me like a warrior.

שַׂ֣ק תָּ֭פַרְתִּי עֲלֵ֣י גִלְדִּ֑י וְעֹלַ֖לְתִּי בֶעָפָ֣ר קַרְנִֽי׃ I sewed sackcloth over my skin;
I ^bLit. “made my horn enter into.”buried my glory^-b in the dust.

פָּנַ֣י (חמרמרה) [חֳ֭מַרְמְרוּ] מִנִּי־בֶ֑כִי וְעַ֖ל עַפְעַפַּ֣י צַלְמָֽוֶת׃ My face is red with weeping;
Darkness covers my eyes

עַ֭ל לֹא־חָמָ֣ס בְּכַפָּ֑י וּֽתְפִלָּתִ֥י זַכָּֽה׃ ^cOr “Though I did no injustice, / And my prayer was pure.”For no injustice on my part
And for the purity of my prayer!^-c

אֶ֭רֶץ אַל־תְּכַסִּ֣י דָמִ֑י וְֽאַל־יְהִ֥י מָ֝ק֗וֹם לְזַעֲקָתִֽי׃ Earth, do not cover my blood;
Let there be no resting place for my outcry!

גַּם־עַ֭תָּה הִנֵּה־בַשָּׁמַ֣יִם עֵדִ֑י וְ֝שָׂהֲדִ֗י בַּמְּרֹמִֽים׃ Surely now my witness is in heaven;
He who can testify for me is on high.

מְלִיצַ֥י רֵעָ֑י אֶל־אֱ֝ל֗וֹהַּ דָּלְפָ֥ה עֵינִֽי׃ O my advocates, my fellows,
Before God my eyes shed tears;

וְיוֹכַ֣ח לְגֶ֣בֶר עִם־אֱל֑וֹהַּ וּֽבֶן־אָדָ֥ם לְרֵעֵֽהוּ׃ Let Him arbitrate between a man and God
As between a man and his fellow.

כִּֽי־שְׁנ֣וֹת מִסְפָּ֣ר יֶאֱתָ֑יוּ וְאֹ֖רַח לֹא־אָשׁ֣וּב אֶהֱלֹֽךְ׃ For a few more years will pass,
And I shall go the way of no return.

רוּחִ֣י חֻ֭בָּלָה יָמַ֥י נִזְעָ֗כוּ קְבָרִ֥ים לִֽי׃ My spirit is crushed, my days run out;
The graveyard waits for me.

אִם־לֹ֣א הֲ֭תֻלִים עִמָּדִ֑י וּ֝בְהַמְּרוֹתָ֗ם תָּלַ֥ן עֵינִֽי׃ Surely mocking men keep me company,
And with their provocations I close my eyes.

שִֽׂימָה־נָּ֭א עׇרְבֵ֣נִי עִמָּ֑ךְ מִ֥י ה֝֗וּא לְיָדִ֥י יִתָּקֵֽעַ׃ Come now, stand surety for me!
Who will give his hand on my behalf?

כִּֽי־לִ֭בָּם צָפַ֣נְתָּ מִּשָּׂ֑כֶל עַל־כֵּ֝֗ן לֹ֣א תְרֹמֵֽם׃ You have hidden understanding from their minds;
Therefore You must not exalt [them].

לְ֭חֵלֶק יַגִּ֣יד רֵעִ֑ים וְעֵינֵ֖י בָנָ֣יו תִּכְלֶֽנָה׃ He informs on his friends for a share [of their property],
And his children’s eyes pine away.

וְֽ֭הִצִּיגַנִי לִמְשֹׁ֣ל עַמִּ֑ים וְתֹ֖פֶת לְפָנִ֣ים אֶהְיֶֽה׃ He made me a byword among people;
I have become like Tophet^aThat consumed children; cf. Jer. 7.31. of old.

וַתֵּ֣כַהּ מִכַּ֣עַשׂ עֵינִ֑י וִיצֻרַ֖י כַּצֵּ֣ל כֻּלָּֽם׃ My eyes fail from vexation;
All shapes seem to me like shadows.

יָשֹׁ֣מּוּ יְשָׁרִ֣ים עַל־זֹ֑את וְ֝נָקִ֗י עַל־חָנֵ֥ף יִתְעֹרָֽר׃ The upright are amazed at this;
The pure are aroused against the impious.

וְיֹאחֵ֣ז צַדִּ֣יק דַּרְכּ֑וֹ וּֽטְהׇר־יָ֝דַ֗יִם יֹסִ֥יף אֹֽמֶץ׃ The righteous man holds to his way;
He whose hands are clean grows stronger.

וְֽאוּלָ֗ם כֻּלָּ֣ם תָּ֭שֻׁבוּ וּבֹ֣אוּ נָ֑א וְלֹֽא־אֶמְצָ֖א בָכֶ֣ם חָכָֽם׃ But all of you, come back now;
I shall not find a wise man among you.

יָמַ֣י עָ֭בְרוּ זִמֹּתַ֣י נִתְּק֑וּ מ֖וֹרָשֵׁ֣י לְבָבִֽי׃ My days are done, my tendons severed,
The strings of my heart.

לַ֭יְלָה לְי֣וֹם יָשִׂ֑ימוּ א֝֗וֹר קָר֥וֹב מִפְּנֵי־חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃ They say that night is day,
That light is here—in the face of darkness.

אִם־אֲ֭קַוֶּה שְׁא֣וֹל בֵּיתִ֑י בַּ֝חֹ֗שֶׁךְ רִפַּ֥דְתִּי יְצוּעָֽי׃ If I must look forward to Sheol as my home,
And make my bed in the dark place,

לַשַּׁ֣חַת קָ֭רָאתִי אָ֣בִי אָ֑תָּה אִמִּ֥י וַ֝אֲחֹתִ֗י לָרִמָּֽה׃ Say to the Pit, “You are my father,”
To the maggots, “Mother,” “Sister”—

וְ֭אַיֵּה אֵפ֣וֹ תִקְוָתִ֑י וְ֝תִקְוָתִ֗י מִ֣י יְשׁוּרֶֽנָּה׃ Where, then, is my hope?
Who can see hope for me?

בַּדֵּ֣י שְׁאֹ֣ל תֵּרַ֑דְנָה אִם־יַ֖חַד עַל־עָפָ֣ר נָֽחַת׃ {פ}
Will it descend to Sheol?
Shall we go down together to the dust?

וַ֭יַּעַן בִּלְדַּ֥ד הַשֻּׁחִ֗י וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ Then Bildad the Shuhite said in reply:

עַד־אָ֤נָה ׀ תְּשִׂימ֣וּן קִנְצֵ֣י לְמִלִּ֑ין תָּ֝בִ֗ינוּ וְאַחַ֥ר נְדַבֵּֽר׃ How long? Put an end to talk!
Consider, and then we shall speak.

מַ֭דּוּעַ נֶחְשַׁ֣בְנוּ כַבְּהֵמָ֑ה נִ֝טְמִ֗ינוּ בְּעֵינֵיכֶֽם׃ Why are we thought of as brutes,
Regarded by you as stupid?

טֹרֵ֥ף נַפְשׁ֗וֹ בְּאַ֫פּ֥וֹ הַֽ֭לְמַעַנְךָ תֵּעָ֣זַב אָ֑רֶץ וְיֶעְתַּק־צ֝֗וּר מִמְּקֹמֽוֹ׃ You who tear yourself to pieces in anger—
Will ^aLit. “the earth be abandoned.”earth’s order be disrupted^-a for your sake?
Will rocks be dislodged from their place?

גַּ֤ם א֣וֹר רְשָׁעִ֣ים יִדְעָ֑ךְ וְלֹא־יִ֝גַּ֗הּ שְׁבִ֣יב אִשּֽׁוֹ׃ Indeed, the light of the wicked fails;
The flame of his fire does not shine.

א֭וֹר חָשַׁ֣ךְ בְּאׇהֳל֑וֹ וְ֝נֵר֗וֹ עָלָ֥יו יִדְעָֽךְ׃ The light in his tent darkens;
His lamp fails him.

יֵ֭צְרוּ צַעֲדֵ֣י אוֹנ֑וֹ וְֽתַשְׁלִיכֵ֥הוּ עֲצָתֽוֹ׃ His iniquitous strides are hobbled;
His schemes overthrow him.

כִּֽי־שֻׁלַּ֣ח בְּרֶ֣שֶׁת בְּרַגְלָ֑יו וְעַל־שְׂ֝בָכָ֗ה יִתְהַלָּֽךְ׃ He is led by his feet into the net;
He walks onto the toils.

יֹאחֵ֣ז בְּעָקֵ֣ב פָּ֑ח יַחֲזֵ֖ק עָלָ֣יו צַמִּֽים׃ The trap seizes his heel;
The noose tightens on him.

טָמ֣וּן בָּאָ֣רֶץ חַבְל֑וֹ וּ֝מַלְכֻּדְתּ֗וֹ עֲלֵ֣י נָתִֽיב׃ The rope for him lies hidden on the ground;
His snare, on the path.

סָ֭בִיב בִּעֲתֻ֣הוּ בַלָּה֑וֹת וֶהֱפִיצֻ֥הוּ לְרַגְלָֽיו׃ Terrors assault him on all sides
And send his feet flying.

יְהִֽי־רָעֵ֥ב אֹנ֑וֹ וְ֝אֵ֗יד נָכ֥וֹן לְצַלְעֽוֹ׃ His progeny hunger;
Disaster awaits his wife.^bLit. “rib” (cf. Gen. 2.22); or “stumbling.”

יֹ֭אכַל בַּדֵּ֣י עוֹר֑וֹ יֹאכַ֥ל בַּ֝דָּ֗יו בְּכ֣וֹר מָֽוֶת׃ The tendons under his skin are consumed;
Death’s first-born consumes his tendons.

יִנָּתֵ֣ק מֵ֭אׇהֳלוֹ מִבְטַח֑וֹ וְ֝תַצְעִדֵ֗הוּ לְמֶ֣לֶךְ בַּלָּהֽוֹת׃ He is torn from the safety of his tent;
Terror marches him to the king.^cViz., of the netherworld.

תִּשְׁכּ֣וֹן בְּ֭אׇהֳלוֹ מִבְּלִיל֑וֹ יְזֹרֶ֖ה עַל־נָוֵ֣הוּ גׇפְרִֽית׃ It lodges in his desolate tent;
Sulfur is strewn upon his home.

מִ֭תַּחַת שׇׁרָשָׁ֣יו יִבָ֑שׁוּ וּ֝מִמַּ֗עַל יִמַּ֥ל קְצִירֽוֹ׃ His roots below dry up,
And above, his branches wither.

זִֽכְרוֹ־אָ֭בַד מִנִּי־אָ֑רֶץ וְלֹא־שֵׁ֥ם ל֝֗וֹ עַל־פְּנֵי־חֽוּץ׃ All mention of him vanishes from the earth;
He has no name abroad.

יֶ֭הְדְּפֻהוּ מֵא֣וֹר אֶל־חֹ֑שֶׁךְ וּֽמִתֵּבֵ֥ל יְנִדֻּֽהוּ׃ He is thrust from light to darkness,
Driven from the world.

לֹ֘א נִ֤ין ל֣וֹ וְלֹא־נֶ֣כֶד בְּעַמּ֑וֹ וְאֵ֥ין שָׂ֝רִ֗יד בִּמְגוּרָֽיו׃ He has no seed or breed among his people,
No survivor where he once lived.

עַל־י֭וֹמוֹ נָשַׁ֣מּוּ אַחֲרֹנִ֑ים וְ֝קַדְמֹנִ֗ים אָ֣חֲזוּ שָֽׂעַר׃ Generations to come will be appalled at his fate,
As the previous ones are seized with horror.

אַךְ־אֵ֭לֶּה מִשְׁכְּנ֣וֹת עַוָּ֑ל וְ֝זֶ֗ה מְק֣וֹם לֹֽא־יָדַֽע־אֵֽל׃ {פ}
“These were the haunts of the wicked;
Here was the place of him who knew not God.”

וַיַּ֥עַן אִיּ֗וֹב וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ Job said in reply:

עַד־אָ֭נָה תּוֹגְי֣וּן נַפְשִׁ֑י וּֽתְדַכּאוּנַ֥נִי בְמִלִּֽים׃ How long will you grieve my spirit,
And crush me with words?

זֶ֤ה עֶ֣שֶׂר פְּ֭עָמִים תַּכְלִימ֑וּנִי לֹֽא־תֵ֝בֹ֗שׁוּ תַּהְכְּרוּ־לִֽי׃ ^aLit. “Ten times.”Time and again^-a you humiliate me,
And are not ashamed to abuse me.

וְאַף־אׇמְנָ֥ם שָׁגִ֑יתִי אִ֝תִּ֗י תָּלִ֥ין מְשׁוּגָתִֽי׃ If indeed I have erred,
My error remains with me.

אִם־אׇ֭מְנָם עָלַ֣י תַּגְדִּ֑ילוּ וְתוֹכִ֥יחוּ עָ֝לַ֗י חֶרְפָּתִֽי׃ Though you are overbearing toward me,
Reproaching me with my disgrace,

דְּֽעוּ־אֵ֭פוֹ כִּֽי־אֱל֣וֹהַּ עִוְּתָ֑נִי וּ֝מְצוּד֗וֹ עָלַ֥י הִקִּֽיף׃ Yet know that God has wronged me;
He has thrown up siege works around me.

הֵ֤ן אֶצְעַ֣ק חָ֭מָס וְלֹ֣א אֵעָנֶ֑ה אֲ֝שַׁוַּ֗ע וְאֵ֣ין מִשְׁפָּֽט׃ I cry, “Violence!” but am not answered;
I shout, but can get no justice.

אׇרְחִ֣י גָ֭דַר וְלֹ֣א אֶעֱב֑וֹר וְעַ֥ל נְ֝תִיבוֹתַ֗י חֹ֣שֶׁךְ יָשִֽׂים׃ He has barred my way; I cannot pass;
He has laid darkness upon my path.

כְּ֭בוֹדִי מֵעָלַ֣י הִפְשִׁ֑יט וַ֝יָּ֗סַר עֲטֶ֣רֶת רֹאשִֽׁי׃ He has stripped me of my glory,
Removed the crown from my head.

יִתְּצֵ֣נִי סָ֭בִיב וָאֵלַ֑ךְ וַיַּסַּ֥ע כָּ֝עֵ֗ץ תִּקְוָתִֽי׃ He tears down every part of me; I perish;
He uproots my hope like a tree.

וַיַּ֣חַר עָלַ֣י אַפּ֑וֹ וַיַּחְשְׁבֵ֖נִי ל֣וֹ כְצָרָֽיו׃ He kindles His anger against me;
He regards me as one of His foes.

יַ֤חַד ׀ יָ֘בֹ֤אוּ גְדוּדָ֗יו וַיָּסֹ֣לּוּ עָלַ֣י דַּרְכָּ֑ם וַיַּחֲנ֖וּ סָבִ֣יב לְאׇהֳלִֽי׃ His troops advance together;
They build their road toward me
And encamp around my tent.

אַ֭חַי מֵעָלַ֣י הִרְחִ֑יק וְ֝יֹדְעַ֗י אַךְ־זָ֥רוּ מִמֶּֽנִּי׃ He alienated my kin from me;
My acquaintances disown me.

חָדְל֥וּ קְרוֹבָ֑י וּֽמְיֻדָּעַ֥י שְׁכֵחֽוּנִי׃ My relatives are gone;
My friends have forgotten me.

גָּ֘רֵ֤י בֵיתִ֣י וְ֭אַמְהֹתַי לְזָ֣ר תַּחְשְׁבֻ֑נִי נׇ֝כְרִ֗י הָיִ֥יתִי בְעֵינֵיהֶֽם׃ My dependents and maidservants regard me as a stranger;
I am an outsider to them.

לְעַבְדִּ֣י קָ֭רָאתִי וְלֹ֣א יַעֲנֶ֑ה בְּמוֹ־פִ֝֗י אֶתְחַנֶּן־לֽוֹ׃ I summon my servant but he does not respond;
I must myself entreat him.

ר֭וּחִי זָ֣רָה לְאִשְׁתִּ֑י וְ֝חַנֹּתִ֗י לִבְנֵ֥י בִטְנִֽי׃ My odor is repulsive to my wife;
I am loathsome to my children.

גַּם־עֲ֭וִילִים מָ֣אֲסוּ בִ֑י אָ֝ק֗וּמָה וַיְדַבְּרוּ־בִֽי׃ Even youngsters disdain me;
When I rise, they speak against me.

תִּ֭עֲבוּנִי כׇּל־מְתֵ֣י סוֹדִ֑י וְזֶה־אָ֝הַ֗בְתִּי נֶהְפְּכוּ־בִֽי׃ All my bosom friends detest me;
Those I love have turned against me.

בְּעוֹרִ֣י וּ֭בִבְשָׂרִי דָּבְקָ֣ה עַצְמִ֑י וָ֝אֶתְמַלְּטָ֗ה בְּע֣וֹר שִׁנָּֽי׃ My bones stick to my skin and flesh;
I escape with the skin of my teeth.

חׇנֻּ֬נִי חׇנֻּ֣נִי אַתֶּ֣ם רֵעָ֑י כִּ֥י יַד־אֱ֝ל֗וֹהַּ נָ֣גְעָה בִּֽי׃ Pity me, pity me! You are my friends;
For the hand of God has struck me!

לָ֭מָּה תִּרְדְּפֻ֣נִי כְמוֹ־אֵ֑ל וּ֝מִבְּשָׂרִ֗י לֹ֣א תִשְׂבָּֽעוּ׃ Why do you pursue me like God,
^bLit. “You are not satisfied with my flesh.”Maligning me insatiably?^-b

מִי־יִתֵּ֣ן אֵ֭פוֹ וְיִכָּתְב֣וּן מִלָּ֑י מִי־יִתֵּ֖ן בַּסֵּ֣פֶר וְיֻחָֽקוּ׃ O that my words were written down;
Would they were inscribed in a record,

בְּעֵט־בַּרְזֶ֥ל וְעֹפָ֑רֶת לָ֝עַ֗ד בַּצּ֥וּר יֵחָצְבֽוּן׃ Incised on a rock forever
With iron stylus and lead!

וַאֲנִ֣י יָ֭דַעְתִּי גֹּ֣אֲלִי חָ֑י וְ֝אַחֲר֗וֹן עַל־עָפָ֥ר יָקֽוּם׃ But I know that my Vindicator lives;
In the end He will testify on earth—

וְאַחַ֣ר ע֭וֹרִי נִקְּפוּ־זֹ֑את וּ֝מִבְּשָׂרִ֗י אֶחֱזֶ֥ה אֱלֽוֹהַּ׃ This, after my skin will have been peeled off.
But I would behold God while still in my flesh,

אֲשֶׁ֤ר אֲנִ֨י ׀ אֶחֱזֶה־לִּ֗י וְעֵינַ֣י רָא֣וּ וְלֹא־זָ֑ר כָּל֖וּ כִלְיֹתַ֣י בְּחֵקִֽי׃ I myself, not another, would behold Him;
Would see with my own eyes:
My heart^cLit. “kidneys.” pines within me.

כִּ֣י תֹ֭אמְרוּ מַה־נִּרְדׇּף־ל֑וֹ וְשֹׁ֥רֶשׁ דָּ֝בָ֗ר נִמְצָא־בִֽי׃ You say, “How do we persecute him?
The root of the matter is in him.”^dWith many mss. and versions; printed editions, “me.”

גּ֤וּרוּ לָכֶ֨ם ׀ מִפְּנֵי־חֶ֗רֶב כִּֽי־חֵ֭מָה עֲוֺנ֣וֹת חָ֑רֶב לְמַ֖עַן תֵּדְע֣וּן (שדין) [שַׁדּֽוּן]׃ {פ}
Be in fear of the sword,
For [your] fury is iniquity worthy of the sword;
Know there is a judgment!

וַ֭יַּעַן צֹפַ֥ר הַֽנַּעֲמָתִ֗י וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ Zophar the Naamathite said in reply:

לָ֭כֵן שְׂעִפַּ֣י יְשִׁיב֑וּנִי וּ֝בַעֲב֗וּר ח֣וּשִׁי בִֽי׃ In truth, my thoughts urge me to answer
(It is because of my feelings

מוּסַ֣ר כְּלִמָּתִ֣י אֶשְׁמָ֑ע וְ֝ר֗וּחַ מִֽבִּינָתִ֥י יַעֲנֵֽנִי׃ When I hear reproof that insults me);
A spirit out of my understanding makes me reply:

הֲזֹ֣את יָ֭דַעְתָּ מִנִּי־עַ֑ד מִנִּ֤י שִׂ֖ים אָדָ֣ם עֲלֵי־אָֽרֶץ׃ Do you not know this, that from time immemorial,
Since man was set on earth,

כִּ֤י רִנְנַ֣ת רְ֭שָׁעִים מִקָּר֑וֹב וְשִׂמְחַ֖ת חָנֵ֣ף עֲדֵי־רָֽגַע׃ The joy of the wicked has been brief,
The happiness of the impious, fleeting?

אִם־יַעֲלֶ֣ה לַשָּׁמַ֣יִם שִׂיא֑וֹ וְ֝רֹאשׁ֗וֹ לָעָ֥ב יַגִּֽיעַ׃ Though he grows as high as the sky,
His head reaching the clouds,

כְּֽ֭גֶלְלוֹ לָנֶ֣צַח יֹאבֵ֑ד רֹ֝אָ֗יו יֹאמְר֥וּ אַיּֽוֹ׃ He perishes forever, like his dung;
Those who saw him will say, “Where is he?”

כַּחֲל֣וֹם יָ֭עוּף וְלֹ֣א יִמְצָא֑וּהוּ וְ֝יֻדַּ֗ד כְּחֶזְי֥וֹן לָֽיְלָה׃ He flies away like a dream and cannot be found;
He is banished like a night vision.

עַ֣יִן שְׁ֭זָפַתּוּ וְלֹ֣א תוֹסִ֑יף וְלֹֽא־ע֝֗וֹד תְּשׁוּרֶ֥נּוּ מְקוֹמֽוֹ׃ Eyes that glimpsed him do so no more;
They cannot see him in his place any longer.

בָּ֭נָיו יְרַצּ֣וּ דַלִּ֑ים וְ֝יָדָ֗יו תָּשֵׁ֥בְנָה אוֹנֽוֹ׃ His sons ingratiate themselves with the poor;
His own hands must give back his wealth.

עַ֭צְמוֹתָיו מָלְא֣וּ עֲלוּמָ֑ו וְ֝עִמּ֗וֹ עַל־עָפָ֥ר תִּשְׁכָּֽב׃ His bones, still full of vigor,
Lie down in the dust with him.

אִם־תַּמְתִּ֣יק בְּפִ֣יו רָעָ֑ה יַ֝כְחִידֶ֗נָּה תַּ֣חַת לְשֹׁנֽוֹ׃ Though evil is sweet to his taste,
And he conceals it under his tongue;

יַחְמֹ֣ל עָ֭לֶיהָ וְלֹ֣א יַעַזְבֶ֑נָּה וְ֝יִמְנָעֶ֗נָּה בְּת֣וֹךְ חִכּֽוֹ׃ Though he saves it, does not let it go,
Holds it inside his mouth,

לַ֭חְמוֹ בְּמֵעָ֣יו נֶהְפָּ֑ךְ מְרוֹרַ֖ת פְּתָנִ֣ים בְּקִרְבּֽוֹ׃ His food in his bowels turns
Into asps’ venom within him.

חַ֣יִל בָּ֭לַע וַיְקִאֶ֑נּוּ מִ֝בִּטְנ֗וֹ יֹרִשֶׁ֥נּוּ אֵֽל׃ The riches he swallows he vomits;
God empties it out of his stomach.

רֹאשׁ־פְּתָנִ֥ים יִינָ֑ק תַּ֝הַרְגֵ֗הוּ לְשׁ֣וֹן אֶפְעֶֽה׃ He sucks the poison of asps;
The tongue of the viper kills him.

אַל־יֵ֥רֶא בִפְלַגּ֑וֹת נַהֲרֵ֥י נַ֝חֲלֵ֗י דְּבַ֣שׁ וְחֶמְאָֽה׃ Let him not enjoy the streams,
The rivers of honey, the brooks of cream.

מֵשִׁ֣יב יָ֭גָע וְלֹ֣א יִבְלָ֑ע כְּחֵ֥יל תְּ֝מוּרָת֗וֹ וְלֹ֣א יַעֲלֹֽס׃ He will give back the goods unswallowed;
The value of the riches, undigested.

כִּֽי־רִ֭צַּץ עָזַ֣ב דַּלִּ֑ים בַּ֥יִת גָּ֝זַ֗ל וְלֹ֣א יִבְנֵֽהוּ׃ Because he crushed and tortured the poor,
He will not build up the house he took by force.

כִּ֤י ׀ לֹא־יָדַ֣ע שָׁלֵ֣ו בְּבִטְנ֑וֹ בַּ֝חֲמוּד֗וֹ לֹ֣א יְמַלֵּֽט׃ He will not see his children tranquil;
He will not preserve one of his dear ones.^aFor this meaning of bet·en and ḥamud, cf. Hos. 9.16.

אֵין־שָׂרִ֥יד לְאׇכְל֑וֹ עַל־כֵּ֝֗ן לֹא־יָחִ֥יל טוּבֽוֹ׃ With no survivor to enjoy it,
His fortune will not prosper.

בִּמְלֹ֣אות שִׂ֭פְקוֹ יֵ֣צֶר ל֑וֹ כׇּל־יַ֖ד עָמֵ֣ל תְּבֹאֶֽנּוּ׃ When he has all he wants, trouble will come;
Misfortunes of all kinds will batter him.

יְהִ֤י ׀ לְמַלֵּ֬א בִטְנ֗וֹ יְֽשַׁלַּח־בּ֭וֹ חֲר֣וֹן אַפּ֑וֹ וְיַמְטֵ֥ר עָ֝לֵ֗ימוֹ בִּלְחוּמֽוֹ׃ Let that fill his belly;
Let Him loose His burning anger at him,
And rain down His weapons upon him.

יִ֭בְרַח מִנֵּ֣שֶׁק בַּרְזֶ֑ל תַּ֝חְלְפֵ֗הוּ קֶ֣שֶׁת נְחוּשָֽׁה׃ Fleeing from iron arrows,
He is shot through from a bow of bronze.

שָׁלַף֮ וַיֵּצֵ֢א מִגֵּ֫וָ֥ה וּ֭בָרָק מִֽמְּרֹרָת֥וֹ יַהֲלֹ֗ךְ עָלָ֥יו אֵמִֽים׃ Brandished and run through his body,
The blade, through his gall,
Strikes terror into him.

כׇּל־חֹשֶׁךְ֮ טָמ֢וּן לִצְפּ֫וּנָ֥יו תְּ֭אׇכְלֵהוּ אֵ֣שׁ לֹא־נֻפָּ֑ח יֵ֖רַע שָׂרִ֣יד בְּאׇהֳלֽוֹ׃ Utter darkness waits for his treasured ones;
A fire fanned by no man will consume him;
Who survives in his tent will be crushed.

יְגַלּ֣וּ שָׁמַ֣יִם עֲוֺנ֑וֹ וְ֝אֶ֗רֶץ מִתְקוֹמָ֘מָ֥ה לֽוֹ׃ Heaven will expose his iniquity;
Earth will rise up against him.

יִ֭גֶל יְב֣וּל בֵּית֑וֹ נִ֝גָּר֗וֹת בְּי֣וֹם אַפּֽוֹ׃ His household will be cast forth by a flood,
Spilled out on the day of His wrath.

זֶ֤ה ׀ חֵלֶק־אָדָ֣ם רָ֭שָׁע מֵאֱלֹהִ֑ים וְנַחֲלַ֖ת אִמְר֣וֹ מֵאֵֽל׃ {פ}
This is the wicked man’s portion from God,
The lot God has ordained for him.

וַיַּ֥עַן אִיּ֗וֹב וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ Job said in reply:

שִׁמְע֣וּ שָׁ֭מוֹעַ מִלָּתִ֑י וּתְהִי־זֹ֝֗את תַּנְח֥וּמֹֽתֵיכֶֽם׃ Listen well to what I say,
And let that be your consolation.

שָׂ֭אוּנִי וְאָנֹכִ֣י אֲדַבֵּ֑ר וְאַחַ֖ר דַּבְּרִ֣י תַלְעִֽיג׃ Bear with me while I speak,
And after I have spoken, you may mock.

הֶ֭אָנֹכִי לְאָדָ֣ם שִׂיחִ֑י וְאִם־מַ֝דּ֗וּעַ לֹֽא־תִקְצַ֥ר רוּחִֽי׃ Is my complaint directed toward a man?
Why should I not lose my patience?

פְּנוּ־אֵלַ֥י וְהָשַׁ֑מּוּ וְשִׂ֖ימוּ יָ֣ד עַל־פֶּֽה׃ Look at me and be appalled,
And clap your hand to your mouth.

וְאִם־זָכַ֥רְתִּי וְנִבְהָ֑לְתִּי וְאָחַ֥ז בְּ֝שָׂרִ֗י פַּלָּצֽוּת׃ When I think of it I am terrified;
My body is seized with shuddering.

מַ֭דּוּעַ רְשָׁעִ֣ים יִֽחְי֑וּ עָ֝תְק֗וּ גַּם־גָּ֥בְרוּ חָֽיִל׃ Why do the wicked live on,
Prosper and grow wealthy?

זַרְעָ֤ם נָכ֣וֹן לִפְנֵיהֶ֣ם עִמָּ֑ם וְ֝צֶאֱצָאֵיהֶ֗ם לְעֵינֵיהֶֽם׃ Their children are with them always,
And they see their children’s children.

בָּתֵּיהֶ֣ם שָׁל֣וֹם מִפָּ֑חַד וְלֹ֤א שֵׁ֖בֶט אֱל֣וֹהַּ עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ Their homes are secure, without fear;
They do not feel the rod of God.

שׁוֹר֣וֹ עִ֭בַּר וְלֹ֣א יַגְעִ֑ל תְּפַלֵּ֥ט פָּ֝רָת֗וֹ וְלֹ֣א תְשַׁכֵּֽל׃ Their bull breeds and does not fail;
Their cow calves and never miscarries;

יְשַׁלְּח֣וּ כַ֭צֹּאן עֲוִילֵיהֶ֑ם וְ֝יַלְדֵיהֶ֗ם יְרַקֵּדֽוּן׃ They let their infants run loose like sheep,
And their children skip about.

יִ֭שְׂאוּ כְּתֹ֣ף וְכִנּ֑וֹר וְ֝יִשְׂמְח֗וּ לְק֣וֹל עוּגָֽב׃ They sing to the music of timbrel and lute,
And revel to the tune of the pipe;

(יבלו) [יְכַלּ֣וּ] בַטּ֣וֹב יְמֵיהֶ֑ם וּ֝בְרֶ֗גַע שְׁא֣וֹל יֵחָֽתּוּ׃ They spend their days in happiness,
And go down to Sheol in peace.

וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ לָ֭אֵל ס֣וּר מִמֶּ֑נּוּ וְדַ֥עַת דְּ֝רָכֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א חָפָֽצְנוּ׃ They say to God, “Leave us alone,
We do not want to learn Your ways;

מַה־שַּׁדַּ֥י כִּֽי־נַעַבְדֶ֑נּוּ וּמַה־נּ֝וֹעִ֗יל כִּ֣י נִפְגַּע־בּֽוֹ׃ What is Shaddai that we should serve Him?
What will we gain by praying to Him?”

הֵ֤ן לֹ֣א בְיָדָ֣ם טוּבָ֑ם עֲצַ֥ת רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים רָ֣חֲקָה מֶֽנִּי׃ Their happiness is not their own doing.
(The thoughts of the wicked are beyond me!)

כַּמָּ֤ה ׀ נֵר־רְשָׁ֘עִ֤ים יִדְעָ֗ךְ וְיָבֹ֣א עָלֵ֣ימוֹ אֵידָ֑ם חֲ֝בָלִ֗ים יְחַלֵּ֥ק בְּאַפּֽוֹ׃ How seldom does the lamp of the wicked fail,
Does the calamity they deserve befall them,
Does He apportion [their] lot in anger!

יִֽהְי֗וּ כְּתֶ֥בֶן לִפְנֵי־ר֑וּחַ וּ֝כְמֹ֗ץ גְּנָבַ֥תּוּ סוּפָֽה׃ Let them become like straw in the wind,
Like chaff carried off by a storm.

אֱל֗וֹהַּ יִצְפֹּן־לְבָנָ֥יו אוֹנ֑וֹ יְשַׁלֵּ֖ם אֵלָ֣יו וְיֵדָֽע׃ [You say,] “God is reserving his punishment for his sons”;
Let it be paid back to him that he may feel it,

יִרְא֣וּ עֵינָ֣ו כִּיד֑וֹ וּמֵחֲמַ֖ת שַׁדַּ֣י יִשְׁתֶּֽה׃ Let his eyes see his ruin,
And let him drink the wrath of Shaddai!

כִּ֤י מַה־חֶפְצ֣וֹ בְּבֵית֣וֹ אַחֲרָ֑יו וּמִסְפַּ֖ר חֳדָשָׁ֣יו חֻצָּֽצוּ׃ For what does he care about the fate of his family,
When his number of months runs out?

הַלְאֵ֥ל יְלַמֶּד־דָּ֑עַת וְ֝ה֗וּא רָמִ֥ים יִשְׁפּֽוֹט׃ Can God be instructed in knowledge,
He who judges from such heights?

זֶ֗ה יָ֭מוּת בְּעֶ֣צֶם תֻּמּ֑וֹ כֻּ֝לּ֗וֹ שַׁלְאֲנַ֥ן וְשָׁלֵֽיו׃ One man dies in robust health,
All tranquil and untroubled;

עֲ֭טִינָיו מָלְא֣וּ חָלָ֑ב וּמֹ֖חַ עַצְמוֹתָ֣יו יְשֻׁקֶּֽה׃ His pails are full of milk;
The marrow of his bones is juicy.

וְזֶ֗ה יָ֭מוּת בְּנֶ֣פֶשׁ מָרָ֑ה וְלֹֽא־אָ֝כַ֗ל בַּטּוֹבָֽה׃ Another dies embittered,
Never having tasted happiness.

יַ֭חַד עַל־עָפָ֣ר יִשְׁכָּ֑בוּ וְ֝רִמָּ֗ה תְּכַסֶּ֥ה עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃ They both lie in the dust
And are covered with worms.

הֵ֣ן יָ֭דַעְתִּי מַחְשְׁבֽוֹתֵיכֶ֑ם וּ֝מְזִמּ֗וֹת עָלַ֥י תַּחְמֹֽסוּ׃ Oh, I know your thoughts,
And the tactics you will devise against me.

כִּ֤י תֹאמְר֗וּ אַיֵּ֥ה בֵית־נָדִ֑יב וְ֝אַיֵּ֗ה אֹ֤הֶל ׀ מִשְׁכְּנ֬וֹת רְשָׁעִֽים׃ You will say, “Where is the house of the great man—
And where the tent in which the wicked dwelled?”

הֲלֹ֣א שְׁ֭אֶלְתֶּם ע֣וֹבְרֵי דָ֑רֶךְ וְ֝אֹתֹתָ֗ם לֹ֣א תְנַכֵּֽרוּ׃ You must have consulted the wayfarers;
You cannot deny their evidence.

כִּ֤י לְי֣וֹם אֵ֭יד יֵחָ֣שֶׂךְ רָ֑ע לְי֖וֹם עֲבָר֣וֹת יוּבָֽלוּ׃ For the evil man is spared on the day of calamity,
On the day when wrath is led forth.

מִֽי־יַגִּ֣יד עַל־פָּנָ֣יו דַּרְכּ֑וֹ וְהוּא־עָ֝שָׂ֗ה מִ֣י יְשַׁלֶּם־לֽוֹ׃ Who will upbraid him to his face?
Who will requite him for what he has done?

וְ֭הוּא לִקְבָר֣וֹת יוּבָ֑ל וְֽעַל־גָּדִ֥ישׁ יִשְׁקֽוֹד׃ He is brought to the grave,
While a watch is kept at his tomb.

מָֽתְקוּ־ל֗וֹ רִגְבֵ֫י־נָ֥חַל וְ֭אַחֲרָיו כׇּל־אָדָ֣ם יִמְשׁ֑וֹךְ וּ֝לְפָנָ֗יו אֵ֣ין מִסְפָּֽר׃ The clods of the wadi are sweet to him,
Everyone follows behind him,
Innumerable are those who precede him.

וְ֭אֵיךְ תְּנַחֲמ֣וּנִי הָ֑בֶל וּ֝תְשׁ֥וּבֹתֵיכֶ֗ם נִשְׁאַר־מָֽעַל׃ {פ}
Why then do you offer me empty consolation?
Of your replies only the perfidy remains.

וַ֭יַּעַן אֱלִיפַ֥ז הַֽתֵּמָנִ֗י וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ Eliphaz the Temanite said in reply:

הַלְאֵ֥ל יִסְכׇּן־גָּ֑בֶר כִּֽי־יִסְכֹּ֖ן עָלֵ֣ימוֹ מַשְׂכִּֽיל׃ Can a man be of use to God,
A wise man benefit Him?

הַחֵ֣פֶץ לְ֭שַׁדַּי כִּ֣י תִצְדָּ֑ק וְאִם־בֶּ֝֗צַע כִּֽי־תַתֵּ֥ם דְּרָכֶֽיךָ׃ Does Shaddai gain if you are righteous?
Does He profit if your conduct is blameless?

הֲֽ֭מִיִּרְאָ֣תְךָ יֹכִיחֶ֑ךָ יָב֥וֹא עִ֝מְּךָ֗ בַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט׃ Is it because of your piety that He arraigns you,
And enters into judgment with you?

הֲלֹ֣א רָעָֽתְךָ֣ רַבָּ֑ה וְאֵֽין־קֵ֝֗ץ לַעֲוֺנֹתֶֽיךָ׃ You know that your wickedness is great,
And that your iniquities have no limit.

כִּֽי־תַחְבֹּ֣ל אַחֶ֣יךָ חִנָּ֑ם וּבִגְדֵ֖י עֲרוּמִּ֣ים תַּפְשִֽׁיט׃ You exact pledges from your fellows without reason,
And leave them naked, stripped of their clothes;

לֹא־מַ֭יִם עָיֵ֣ף תַּשְׁקֶ֑ה וּ֝מֵרָעֵ֗ב תִּֽמְנַֽע־לָֽחֶם׃ You do not give the thirsty water to drink;
You deny bread to the hungry.

וְאִ֣ישׁ זְ֭רוֹעַ ל֣וֹ הָאָ֑רֶץ וּנְשׂ֥וּא פָ֝נִ֗ים יֵ֣שֶׁב בָּֽהּ׃ The land belongs to the strong;
The privileged occupy it.

אַ֭לְמָנוֹת שִׁלַּ֣חְתָּ רֵיקָ֑ם וּזְרֹע֖וֹת יְתֹמִ֣ים יְדֻכָּֽא׃ You have sent away widows empty-handed;
The strength of the fatherless is broken.

עַל־כֵּ֭ן סְבִיבוֹתֶ֣יךָ פַחִ֑ים וִ֝יבַהֶלְךָ֗ פַּ֣חַד פִּתְאֹֽם׃ Therefore snares are all around you,
And sudden terrors frighten you,

אוֹ־חֹ֥שֶׁךְ לֹֽא־תִרְאֶ֑ה וְֽשִׁפְעַת־מַ֥יִם תְּכַסֶּֽךָּ׃ Or darkness, so you cannot see;
A flood of waters covers you.

הֲֽלֹא־אֱ֭לוֹהַּ גֹּ֣בַהּ שָׁמָ֑יִם וּרְאֵ֤ה רֹ֖אשׁ כּוֹכָבִ֣ים כִּי־רָֽמּוּ׃ God is in the heavenly heights;
See the highest stars, how lofty!

וְֽ֭אָמַרְתָּ מַה־יָּ֣דַֽע אֵ֑ל הַבְעַ֖ד עֲרָפֶ֣ל יִשְׁפּֽוֹט׃ You say, “What can God know?
Can He govern through the dense cloud?

עָבִ֣ים סֵֽתֶר־ל֭וֹ וְלֹ֣א יִרְאֶ֑ה וְח֥וּג שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם יִתְהַלָּֽךְ׃ The clouds screen Him so He cannot see
As He moves about the circuit of heaven.”

הַאֹ֣רַח עוֹלָ֣ם תִּשְׁמ֑וֹר אֲשֶׁ֖ר דָּרְכ֣וּ מְתֵי־אָֽוֶן׃ Have you observed the immemorial path
That evil men have trodden;

אֲשֶֽׁר־קֻמְּט֥וּ וְלֹא־עֵ֑ת נָ֝הָ֗ר יוּצַ֥ק יְסוֹדָֽם׃ How they were shriveled up before their time
And their foundation poured out like a river?

הָאֹמְרִ֣ים לָ֭אֵל ס֣וּר מִמֶּ֑נּוּ וּמַה־יִּפְעַ֖ל שַׁדַּ֣י לָֽמוֹ׃ They said to God, “Leave us alone;
What can Shaddai do about it?”

וְה֤וּא מִלֵּ֣א בָתֵּיהֶ֣ם ט֑וֹב וַעֲצַ֥ת רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים רָ֣חֲקָה מֶֽנִּי׃ But it was He who filled their houses with good things.
(The thoughts of the wicked are beyond me!)

יִרְא֣וּ צַדִּיקִ֣ים וְיִשְׂמָ֑חוּ וְ֝נָקִ֗י יִלְעַג־לָֽמוֹ׃ The righteous, seeing it,^aReferring to v. 16. rejoiced;
The innocent laughed with scorn.

אִם־לֹ֣א נִכְחַ֣ד קִימָ֑נוּ וְ֝יִתְרָ֗ם אָ֣כְלָה אֵֽשׁ׃ Surely their substance was destroyed,
And their remnant consumed by fire.

הַסְכֶּן־נָ֣א עִמּ֣וֹ וּשְׁלָ֑ם בָּ֝הֶ֗ם תְּֽבוֹאַתְךָ֥ טוֹבָֽה׃ Be close to Him and wholehearted;
Good things will come to you thereby.

קַח־נָ֣א מִפִּ֣יו תּוֹרָ֑ה וְשִׂ֥ים אֲ֝מָרָ֗יו בִּלְבָבֶֽךָ׃ Accept instruction from His mouth;
Lay up His words in your heart.

אִם־תָּשׁ֣וּב עַד־שַׁ֭דַּי תִּבָּנֶ֑ה תַּרְחִ֥יק עַ֝וְלָ֗ה מֵאׇהֳלֶֽךָ׃ If you return to Shaddai you will be restored,
If you banish iniquity from your tent;

וְשִׁית־עַל־עָפָ֥ר בָּ֑צֶר וּכְצ֖וּר נְחָלִ֣ים אוֹפִֽיר׃ If you regard treasure as dirt,
Ophir-gold as stones of the wadi,

וְהָיָ֣ה שַׁדַּ֣י בְּצָרֶ֑יךָ וְכֶ֖סֶף תּוֹעָפ֣וֹת לָֽךְ׃ And Shaddai be your treasure
And precious silver for you,

כִּי־אָ֭ז עַל־שַׁדַּ֣י תִּתְעַנָּ֑ג וְתִשָּׂ֖א אֶל־אֱל֣וֹהַּ פָּנֶֽיךָ׃ When you seek the favor of Shaddai,
And lift up your face to God,

תַּעְתִּ֣יר אֵ֭לָיו וְיִשְׁמָעֶ֑ךָּ וּנְדָרֶ֥יךָ תְשַׁלֵּֽם׃ You will pray to Him, and He will listen to you,
And you will pay your vows.

וְֽתִגְזַר־אֹ֭מֶר וְיָ֣קׇם לָ֑ךְ וְעַל־דְּ֝רָכֶ֗יךָ נָ֣גַהּ אֽוֹר׃ You will decree and it will be fulfilled,
And light will shine upon your affairs.

כִּֽי־הִ֭שְׁפִּילוּ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר גֵּוָ֑ה וְשַׁ֖ח עֵינַ֣יִם יוֹשִֽׁעַ׃ When others sink low, you will say it is pride;
For He saves the humble.

יְמַלֵּ֥ט אִֽי־נָקִ֑י וְ֝נִמְלַ֗ט בְּבֹ֣ר כַּפֶּֽיךָ׃ {פ}
He will deliver the guilty;
He will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.

וַיַּ֥עַן אִיּ֗וֹב וַיֹּאמַֽר׃ Job said in reply:

גַּם־הַ֭יּוֹם מְרִ֣י שִׂחִ֑י יָ֝דִ֗י כָּבְדָ֥ה עַל־אַנְחָתִֽי׃ Today again my complaint is bitter;
^aLit. “My hand is heavy.”My strength is spent^-a on account of my groaning.

מִֽי־יִתֵּ֣ן יָ֭דַעְתִּי וְאֶמְצָאֵ֑הוּ אָ֝ב֗וֹא עַד־תְּכוּנָתֽוֹ׃ Would that I knew how to reach Him,
How to get to His dwelling-place.

אֶעֶרְכָ֣ה לְפָנָ֣יו מִשְׁפָּ֑ט וּ֝פִ֗י אֲמַלֵּ֥א תוֹכָחֽוֹת׃ I would set out my case before Him
And fill my mouth with arguments.

אֵ֭דְעָה מִלִּ֣ים יַעֲנֵ֑נִי וְ֝אָבִ֗ינָה מַה־יֹּ֥אמַר־לִֽי׃ I would learn what answers He had for me
And know how He would reply to me.

הַבְּרׇב־כֹּ֭חַ יָרִ֣יב עִמָּדִ֑י לֹ֥א אַךְ־ה֝֗וּא יָשִׂ֥ם בִּֽי׃ Would He contend with me overbearingly?
Surely He would not accuse me!

שָׁ֗ם יָ֭שָׁר נוֹכָ֣ח עִמּ֑וֹ וַאֲפַלְּטָ֥ה לָ֝נֶ֗צַח מִשֹּׁפְטִֽי׃ There the upright would be cleared by Him,
And I would escape forever from my judge.

הֵ֤ן קֶ֣דֶם אֶהֱלֹ֣ךְ וְאֵינֶ֑נּוּ וְ֝אָח֗וֹר וְֽלֹא־אָבִ֥ין לֽוֹ׃ But if I go East—He is not there;
West—I still do not perceive Him;

שְׂמֹ֣אול בַּעֲשֹׂת֣וֹ וְלֹא־אָ֑חַז יַעְטֹ֥ף יָ֝מִ֗ין וְלֹ֣א אֶרְאֶֽה׃ North—since He is concealed, I do not behold Him;
South—He is hidden, and I cannot see Him.

כִּֽי־יָ֭דַע דֶּ֣רֶךְ עִמָּדִ֑י בְּ֝חָנַ֗נִי כַּזָּהָ֥ב אֵצֵֽא׃ But He knows the way I take;
Would He assay me, I should emerge pure as gold.

בַּ֭אֲשֻׁרוֹ אָחֲזָ֣ה רַגְלִ֑י דַּרְכּ֖וֹ שָׁמַ֣רְתִּי וְלֹא־אָֽט׃ I have followed in His tracks,
Kept His way without swerving,

מִצְוַ֣ת שְׂ֭פָתָיו וְלֹ֣א אָמִ֑ישׁ מֵ֝חֻקִּ֗י צָפַ֥נְתִּי אִמְרֵי־פִֽיו׃ I have not deviated from what His lips commanded;
I have treasured His words more than my daily bread.

וְה֣וּא בְ֭אֶחָד וּמִ֣י יְשִׁיבֶ֑נּוּ וְנַפְשׁ֖וֹ אִוְּתָ֣ה וַיָּֽעַשׂ׃ He is one; who can dissuade Him?
Whatever He desires, He does.

כִּ֭י יַשְׁלִ֣ים חֻקִּ֑י וְכָהֵ֖נָּה רַבּ֣וֹת עִמּֽוֹ׃ For He will bring my term to an end,
But He has many more such at His disposal.

עַל־כֵּ֭ן מִפָּנָ֣יו אֶבָּהֵ֑ל אֶ֝תְבּוֹנֵ֗ן וְאֶפְחַ֥ד מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃ Therefore I am terrified at His presence;
When I consider, I dread Him.

וְ֭אֵל הֵרַ֣ךְ לִבִּ֑י וְ֝שַׁדַּ֗י הִבְהִילָֽנִי׃ God has made me fainthearted;
Shaddai has terrified me.

כִּֽי־לֹ֣א נִ֭צְמַתִּי מִפְּנֵי־חֹ֑שֶׁךְ וּ֝מִפָּנַ֗י כִּסָּה־אֹֽפֶל׃ Yet I am not cut off by the darkness;
He has concealed the thick gloom from me.

מַדּ֗וּעַ מִ֭שַּׁדַּי לֹא־נִצְפְּנ֣וּ עִתִּ֑ים וְ֝יֹדְעָ֗ו לֹא־חָ֥זוּ יָמָֽיו׃ Why are times for judgment not reserved by Shaddai?
Even those close to Him cannot foresee His actions.^aLit. “days.”

גְּבֻל֥וֹת יַשִּׂ֑יגוּ עֵ֥דֶר גָּ֝זְל֗וּ וַיִּרְעֽוּ׃ People remove boundary-stones;
They carry off flocks and pasture them;

חֲמ֣וֹר יְתוֹמִ֣ים יִנְהָ֑גוּ יַ֝חְבְּל֗וּ שׁ֣וֹר אַלְמָנָֽה׃ They lead away the donkeys of the fatherless,
And seize the widow’s bull as a pledge;

יַטּ֣וּ אֶבְיֹנִ֣ים מִדָּ֑רֶךְ יַ֥חַד חֻ֝בְּא֗וּ עֲנִיֵּי־אָֽרֶץ׃ They chase the needy off the roads;
All the poor of the land are forced into hiding.

הֵ֤ן פְּרָאִ֨ים ׀ בַּ֥מִּדְבָּ֗ר יָצְא֣וּ בְּ֭פׇעֳלָם מְשַׁחֲרֵ֣י לַטָּ֑רֶף עֲרָבָ֥ה ל֥וֹ לֶ֝֗חֶם לַנְּעָרִֽים׃ Like the wild asses of the wilderness,
They go about their tasks, seeking food;
The wilderness provides each with food for his lads;

בַּ֭שָּׂדֶה בְּלִיל֣וֹ (יקצירו) [יִקְצ֑וֹרוּ] וְכֶ֖רֶם רָשָׁ֣ע יְלַקֵּֽשׁוּ׃ They harvest fodder in the field,
And glean the late grapes in the vineyards of the wicked.

עָר֣וֹם יָ֭לִינוּ מִבְּלִ֣י לְב֑וּשׁ וְאֵ֥ין כְּ֝ס֗וּת בַּקָּרָֽה׃ They pass the night naked for lack of clothing,
They have no covering against the cold;

מִזֶּ֣רֶם הָרִ֣ים יִרְטָ֑בוּ וּֽמִבְּלִ֥י מַ֝חְסֶ֗ה חִבְּקוּ־צֽוּר׃ They are drenched by the mountain rains,
And huddle against the rock for lack of shelter.

יִ֭גְזְלוּ מִשֹּׁ֣ד יָת֑וֹם וְֽעַל־עָנִ֥י יַחְבֹּֽלוּ׃ ^bThis verse belongs to the description of the wicked in vv. 2–4a.They snatch the fatherless infant from the breast,
And seize the child of the poor as a pledge.

עָר֣וֹם הִ֭לְּכוּ בְּלִ֣י לְב֑וּשׁ וּ֝רְעֵבִ֗ים נָ֣שְׂאוּ עֹֽמֶר׃ They go about naked for lack of clothing,
And, hungry, carry sheaves;

בֵּין־שׁוּרֹתָ֥ם יַצְהִ֑ירוּ יְקָבִ֥ים דָּ֝רְכ֗וּ וַיִּצְמָֽאוּ׃ Between rows [of olive trees] they make oil,
And, thirsty, they tread the winepresses.

מֵ֘עִ֤יר מְתִ֨ים ׀ יִנְאָ֗קוּ וְנֶֽפֶשׁ־חֲלָלִ֥ים תְּשַׁוֵּ֑עַ וֶ֝אֱל֗וֹהַּ לֹֽא־יָשִׂ֥ים תִּפְלָֽה׃ Men groan in the city;
The souls of the dying cry out;
Yet God does not regard it as a reproach.

הֵ֤מָּה ׀ הָיוּ֮ בְּֽמֹרְדֵ֫י־א֥וֹר לֹא־הִכִּ֥ירוּ דְרָכָ֑יו וְלֹ֥א יָ֝שְׁב֗וּ בִּנְתִיבֹתָֽיו׃ They are rebels against the light;
They are strangers to its ways,
And do not stay in its path.

לָא֡וֹר יָ֘ק֤וּם רוֹצֵ֗חַ יִֽקְטׇל־עָנִ֥י וְאֶבְי֑וֹן וּ֝בַלַּ֗יְלָה יְהִ֣י כַגַּנָּֽב׃ The murderer arises ^cCf. Mishnaic Heb. ‘or, Aramaic ‘orta, “evening”; others “with the light.”in the evening^-c
To kill the poor and needy,
And at night he acts the thief.