Job 27
BSB
Job Affirms His Integrity
1Job continued his discourse:
2“As surely as God lives, who has deprived me of justice—
the Almighty, who has embittered my soul—
3as long as my breath is still within me
and the breath of God remains in my nostrils,
4my lips will not speak wickedness,
and my tongue will not utter deceit.
5I will never say that you are right;
I will maintain my integrity until I die.
6I will cling to my righteousness and never let go.
As long as I live, my conscience will not accuse me.
The Wicked Man’s Portion
7May my enemy be like the wicked
and my opponent like the unjust.
8For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off,
when God takes away his life?
9Will God hear his cry
when distress comes upon him?
10Will he delight in the Almighty?
Will he call upon God at all times?
11I will instruct you in the power of God.
I will not conceal the ways of the Almighty.
12Surely all of you have seen it for yourselves.
Why then do you keep up this empty talk?
13This is the wicked man’s portion from God—
the heritage the ruthless receive from the Almighty.
14Though his sons are many, they are destined for the sword;
and his offspring will never have enough food.
15His survivors will be buried by the plague,
and their widows will not weep for them.
16Though he heaps up silver like dust
and piles up a wardrobe like clay,
17what he lays up, the righteous will wear,
and his silver will be divided by the innocent.
18The house he built is like a moth’s cocoon,
like a hut set up by a watchman.
19He lies down wealthy, but will do so no more;
when he opens his eyes, all is gone.
20Terrors overtake him like a flood;
a tempest sweeps him away in the night.
21The east wind carries him away, and he is gone;
it sweeps him out of his place.
22It hurls itself against him without mercy
as he flees headlong from its power.
23It claps its hands at him
and hisses him out of his place.
Introduction
Job 27
Job had sometimes complained of his friends that they were so eager in disputing that they would scarcely let him put in a word: "Suffer me that I may speak;" and, "O that you would hold your peace!" But now, it seems, they were out of breath, and left him room to say what he would. Either they were themselves convinced that Job was in the right or they despaired of convincing him that he was in the wrong; and therefore they threw away their weapons and gave up the cause. Job was too hard for them, and forced them to quit the field; for great is the truth and will prevail. What Job had said (Job 26:1-14) was a sufficient answer to Bildad's discourse; and now Job paused awhile, to see whether Zophar would take his turn again; but, he declining it, Job himself went on, and, without any interruption or vexation given him, said all he desired to say in this matter. I. He begins with a solemn protestation of his integrity and of his resolution to hold it fast (Job 27:2-6). II. He expresses the dread he had of that hypocrisy which they charged him with (Job 27:7-10). III. He shows the miserable end of wicked people, notwithstanding their long prosperity, and the curse that attends them and is entailed upon their families (Job 27:11-23).
Cross-references: Job 26:1 · Job 27:2 · Job 27:7 · Job 27:11