Lexicon :: Strong's H413 - 'ēl

Who rejoice exceedingly,

And rejoice when they find the grave?

“If we dare to converse with you, will you be impatient [or offended]?

But who can restrain himself from speaking?

“But now [fn]adversity comes upon you, and you are impatient and intolerant;

It touches you, and you are horrified.

“Now a word was secretly brought to me,

And my ear received a whisper of it.

“Call now—is there anyone who will answer you?

And to which of the holy ones (angels) will you turn?

“The hungry devour his harvest

And take it even [when it grows] among the thorns;

The trap opens for [his] wealth.

“As for me, I would seek God and inquire of Him,

And I would commit my cause to God;

“You will come to your grave in old age,

Like the stacking of grain [on the threshing floor] in its season.

“What is man that You [should] magnify him [and think him important]?

And that You are concerned about him?

“If you would [diligently] seek God

And implore the compassion and favor of the Almighty,

“God is wise in heart and mighty in strength;

Who has [ever] defied or challenged Him and remained unharmed?

“Behold, He snatches away; who can restrain or turn Him back?

Who will say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’

“I will say to God, ‘Do not condemn me [and declare me guilty]!

Show me why You contend and argue and struggle with me.

‘Remember now, that You have made me as clay;

So will You turn me into dust again?

Before I go—and I shall not return—

To the land of darkness and the deep shadow [of death],

“If you direct your heart [on the right path]

And stretch out your hands to Him,

“But I wish to speak to [fn]the Almighty,

And I desire to argue with God.

“Even though He kills me;

I will hope in Him.

Nevertheless, I will argue my ways to His face.

“Do you hear the secret counsel of God,

And do you limit [the possession of] wisdom to yourself?

That you should turn your spirit against God

And let such words [as you have spoken] go out of your mouth?

“He does not believe that he will return out of the darkness [for fear of being murdered],

And he is destined for the sword [of God’s vengeance].

“Because he has stretched out his hand against God

And behaves arrogantly against [fn]the Almighty,

“God hands me over to [fn]criminals

And tosses me [headlong] into the hands of the wicked.

“My friends are scoffers [who ridicule];

My eye pours out tears to God.

“He is driven and propelled from light into darkness,

And chased from the inhabited world.

“Look at me and be astonished and appalled;

And put your hand over your mouth.

“You say, ‘God stores away [the punishment of] man’s wickedness for his children.’

Let God repay him so that he may know and experience it.

Then you will have delight in the Almighty,

And you will lift up your face to God.

‘My root is spread out and open to the waters,

And the dew lies all night upon my branch.

“I smiled at them when they did not believe,

And they did not diminish the light of my face.

“I cry to You for help, [Lord,] but You do not answer me;

I stand up, but You [only] gaze [indifferently] at me.

“You lift me up on the wind and cause me to ride [upon it];

And You toss me about in the tempest and dissolve me in the storm.

“For tragedy from God is a terror to me,

And because of His majesty and exaltation I can do nothing [nor endure facing Him].

“Now Job has not directed his words against me [therefore I have no reason to be offended],

Nor will I answer him with arguments like yours. [I speak for truth, not for revenge.]

“I will not [I warn you] be partial to any man [that is, let my respect for you mitigate what I say];

Nor flatter any man.

“Why do you complain against Him?

That He does not answer [you with] all His doings.

“He will pray to God, and He shall be favorable to him,

So that he looks at His face with joy;

For God restores to man His righteousness [that is, his right standing with God—with its joys].

“If God should determine to do so,

If He should gather to Himself [that is, withdraw from man] His [life-giving] spirit and His breath,