I was a father to the needy. The cause of him who I didn’t know, I searched out.
I broke the jaws of the unrighteous, and plucked the prey out of his teeth.
My glory is fresh in me. My bow is renewed in my hand.’
For what is the portion from God above, and the heritage from the Almighty on high?
Is it not calamity to the unrighteous, and disaster to the workers of iniquity?
Doesn’t he see my ways, and count all my steps?
(let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know my integrity);
if my step has turned out of the way, if my heart walked after my eyes, if any defilement has stuck to my hands,
What then shall I do when God rises up? When he visits, what shall I answer him?
“If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
if I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or that the needy had no covering;
if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help in the gate,
“If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him
oh that I had one to hear me! Behold, here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me! Let the accuser write my indictment!
Surely I would carry it on my shoulder; and I would bind it to me as a crown.
I would declare to him the number of my steps. as a prince would I go near to him.
if I have eaten its fruits without money, or have caused its owners to lose their life,
So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.
My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.
‘I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.
“Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.
“If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him;
He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy. He restores to man his righteousness.
Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.
For Job has said, ‘I am righteous, God has taken away my right:
Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.’
“Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.
Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?—
Who says to a king, ‘Vile!’ or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’?
“For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.
For he doesn’t need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.
When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? Alike whether to a nation, or to a man,
that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.
Teach me that which I don’t see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?
“Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s,’
If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he receive from your hand?
Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are, and your righteousness may profit a son of man.
I will get my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
He doesn’t preserve the life of the wicked, but gives to the afflicted their right.
He doesn’t withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne, he sets them forever, and they are exalted.
Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, ‘You have committed unrighteousness?’
Behold, God is great, and we don’t know him. The number of his years is unsearchable.
We can’t reach the Almighty. He is exalted in power. In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.
Will you even annul my judgment? Will you condemn me, that you may be justified?
“Now deck yourself with excellency and dignity. Array yourself with honor and majesty.
Then I will also admit to you that your own right hand can save you.
It was so, that after Yahweh had spoken these words to Job, Yahweh said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you, and against your two friends; for you have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has.
Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On his law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.
Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For Yahweh knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked shall perish.
Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness. Give me relief from my distress. Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
But know that Yahweh has set apart for himself him who is godly: Yahweh will hear when I call to him.
Stand in awe, and don’t sin. Search your own heart on your bed, and be still. Selah.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness. Put your trust in Yahweh.
For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. Evil can’t live with you.
Lead me, Yahweh, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight before my face.
For you will bless the righteous. Yahweh, you will surround him with favor as with a shield.
Yahweh, my God, if I have done this, if there is iniquity in my hands,
if I have rewarded evil to him who was at peace with me (yes, I have delivered him who without cause was my adversary),
Yahweh administers judgment to the peoples. Judge me, Yahweh, according to my righteousness, and to my integrity that is in me.
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; their minds and hearts are searched by the righteous God.
My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.
God is a righteous judge, yes, a God who has indignation every day.
The trouble he causes shall return to his own head. His violence shall come down on the crown of his own head.
I will give thanks to Yahweh according to his righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of Yahweh Most High.
For you have maintained my just cause. You sit on the throne judging righteously.
But Yahweh reigns forever. He has prepared his throne for judgment.
He will judge the world in righteousness. He will administer judgment to the peoples in uprightness.
Yahweh has made himself known. He has executed judgment. The wicked is snared by the work of his own hands. Meditation. Selah.
Break the arm of the wicked. As for the evil man, seek out his wickedness until you find none.
For, behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrows on the strings, that they may shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.
If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Yahweh examines the righteous, but the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates.
For Yahweh is righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright shall see his face.
Help, Yahweh; for the godly man ceases. For the faithful fail from among the children of men.
There they were in great fear, for God is in the generation of the righteous.
Yahweh, who shall dwell in your sanctuary? Who shall live on your holy hill?
He who walks blamelessly does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart;
In whose eyes a vile man is despised, but who honors those who fear Yahweh; he who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and doesn’t change;
he who doesn’t lend out his money for usury, nor take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be shaken.
As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the excellent ones in whom is all my delight.
I have set Yahweh always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea; Give ear to my prayer, that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.
Let my sentence come out of your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.
You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.
As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.
Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness. According to the cleanness of my hands has he recompensed me.
For I have kept the ways of Yahweh, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
For all his ordinances were before me. I didn’t put away his statutes from me.
I was also blameless with him. I kept myself from my iniquity.
Therefore Yahweh has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight.
With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man, you will show yourself perfect.
With the pure, you will show yourself pure. With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd.
the God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect?
You have also given me the shield of your salvation. Your right hand sustains me. Your gentleness has made me great.












