Job complains of the cruelty of his friends – Book of Job, chapter 19

Job complains of the cruelty of his friends; he describes his own sufferings: and his belief of a future resurrection.

[1] Then Job answered, and said: [2] How long do you afflict my soul, and break me in pieces with words? [3] Behold, these ten times you confound me, and are not ashamed to oppress me. [4] For if I have been ignorant, my ignorance shall be with me. [5] But you have set yourselves up against me, and reprove me with my reproaches.

[6] At least now understand, that God hath not afflicted me with an equal judgment, and compassed me with his scourges. [7] Behold I cry suffering violence, and no one will hear: I shall cry aloud, and there is none to judge. [8] He hath hedged in my path round about, and I cannot pass, and in my way he hath set darkness. [9] He hath stripped me of my glory, and hath taken the crown from my head. [10] He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am lost, and he hath taken away my hope, as from a tree that is plucked up.

[11] His wrath is kindled against me, and he hath counted me as his enemy. [12] His troops have come together, and have made themselves a way by me, and have besieged my tabernacle round about. [13] He hath put my brethren far from me, and my acquaintance like strangers have departed from me. [14] My kinsmen have forsaken me, and they that knew me, have forgotten me. [15] They that dwelt in my house, and my maidservants have counted me a stranger, and I have been like an alien in their eyes.

[16] I called my servant, and he gave me no answer, I entreated him with my own mouth. [17] My wife hath abhorred my breath, and I entreated the children of my womb. [18] Even fools despise me; and when I was gone from them, they spoke against me. [19] They that were sometime my counsellors, have abhorred me: and he whom I love most is turned against me. [20] The flesh being consumed. My bone hath cleaved to my skin, and nothing but lips are left about my teeth.

[21] Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because the hand of the Lord hath touched me. [22] Why do you persecute me as God, and glut yourselves with my flesh? [23] Who will grant me that my words may be written? Who will grant me that they may be marked down in a book? [24] With an iron pen and in a plate of lead, or else be graven with an instrument in flint stone. [25] For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and in the last day I shall rise out of the earth.

[26] And I shall be clothed again with my skin, and in my flesh I will see my God. [27] Whom I myself shall see, and my eyes shall behold, and not another: this my hope is laid up in my bosom. [28] Why then do you say now: Let us persecute him, and let us find occasion of word against him? [29] Flee then from the face of the sword, for the sword is the revenger of iniquities: and know ye that there is judgment.

Commentary

[6] “With an equal judgment”: St. Gregory explains these words thus: Job being a just man, and truly considering his own life, thought that his affliction was greater than his sins deserved: and in that respect, that the punishment was not equal, yet it was just, as coming from God, who gives a crown of justice to those who suffer for righteousness’ sake, and proves the just with tribulations, as gold is tried by fire.

[25] “I know that my Redeemer liveth”: Ver. 25, 26, and 27 shew Job’s explicit belief in his Redeemer, and also of the resurrection of the flesh, not as one tree riseth in place of another, but that the selfsame flesh shall rise at the last day, by the power of God, changed in quality but not in substance, every one to receive sentence according to his works in this life.