> [[job-26|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-28|Next →]] --- # Job, Chapter 27 ## Chapter 27 **Job’s Reply.** 1 Job took up his theme again and said: ^job-27-1 2 As God lives, who takes away my right, ^job-27-2 the Almighty, who has made my life bitter, 3 So long as I still have life breath in me, ^job-27-3 the breath of God in my nostrils, 4 My lips shall not speak falsehood, ^job-27-4 nor my tongue utter deceit! 5 Far be it from me to account you right; ^job-27-5 till I die I will not renounce my innocence. 6 My justice I maintain and I will not relinquish it; ^job-27-6 my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. 7 Let my enemy be as the wicked ^job-27-7 and my adversary as the unjust! 8 For what hope has the impious when he is cut off, ^job-27-8 when God requires his life? 9 Will God then listen to his cry ^job-27-9 when distress comes upon him, 10 If he delights in the Almighty ^job-27-10 and calls upon God constantly? 11 I will teach you what is in God’s hand, ^job-27-11 and the way of the Almighty I will not conceal. 12 Look, you yourselves have all seen it; ^job-27-12 why do you spend yourselves in empty words! 13 This is the portion of the wicked with God, ^job-27-13 the heritage oppressors receive from the Almighty: 14 Though his children be many, the sword awaits them. ^job-27-14 His descendants shall want for bread. 15 His survivors shall be buried in death; ^job-27-15 their widows shall not weep. 16 Though he heap up silver like dust ^job-27-16 and store away mounds of clothing, 17 What he has stored the righteous shall wear, ^job-27-17 and the innocent shall divide the silver. 18 He builds his house as of cobwebs, ^job-27-18 or like a booth put up by a watchman. 19 He lies down a rich man, one last time; ^job-27-19 he opens his eyes—nothing is there. 20 Terrors flood over him like water, ^job-27-20 at night the tempest carries him off. 21 The east wind seizes him and he is gone; ^job-27-21 it sweeps him from his place; 22 It hurls itself at him without pity, ^job-27-22 as he tries to flee from its power. 23 It claps its hands at him, ^job-27-23 and whistles at him from its place. \* (27:2] – [6) As God lives…far be it: Job affirms two oaths about his innocence by the very God whom he has accused of violating his right. Such is the paradoxical situation of a tortured person who cannot give the lie to his personal justice, but also refuses to renounce God. He dares God to be “just” as he, Job, understands this. \* (27:7] – [23) These verses are inconsistent with Job’s views elsewhere, and may be part of a missing speech of Zophar; cf. notes on [24:18] – [24] and [25:1]. Or possibly they are an ironic description of the fate of the three friends. a. (27:2) [Jb 34:5]. b. (27:5) [Jb 2:3], [9]; [13:15]; [33:9]. c. (27:13) [Jb 20:4] – [29]. d. (27:19) [Ps 49:18]; [76:6]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[job-26|← Previous]] | [[job-00|TOC]] | [[job-28|Next →]]