Job 27
Job 27 is part of “Third Cycle of Dialogue” (22–31) in the outline of Job.
Job 27 summary
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.
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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).
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Job 27 (ASV)
American Standard Version (public domain)
Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity
1And Job again took up his parable, and said, 2As God liveth, who hath taken away my right, And the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul 3(For my life is yet whole in me, And the spirit of God is in my nostrils); 4Surely my lips shall not speak unrighteousness, Neither shall my tongue utter deceit. 5Far be it from me that I should justify you: Till I die I will not put away mine integrity from me. 6My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: My heart shall not reproach [me] so long as I live. 7Let mine enemy be as the wicked, And let him that riseth up against me be as the unrighteous. 8For what is the hope of the godless, though he get him gain, When God taketh away his soul? 9Will God hear his cry, When trouble cometh upon him? 10Will he delight himself in the Almighty, And call upon God at all times? 11I will teach you concerning the hand of God; That which is with the Almighty will I not conceal. 12Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; Why then are ye become altogether vain? 13This is the portion of a wicked man with God, And the heritage of oppressors, which they receive from the Almighty: 14If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword; And his offspring shall not be satisfied with bread. 15Those that remain of him shall be buried in death, And his widows shall make no lamentation. 16Though he heap up silver as the dust, And prepare raiment as the clay; 17He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, And the innocent shall divide the silver. 18He buildeth his house as the moth, And as a booth which the keeper maketh. 19He lieth down rich, but he shall not be gathered [to his fathers]; He openeth his eyes, and he is not. 20Terrors overtake him like waters; A tempest stealeth him away in the night. 21The east wind carrieth him away, and he departeth; And it sweepeth him out of his place. 22For [God] shall hurl at him, and not spare: He would fain flee out of his hand. 23Men shall clap their hands at him, And shall hiss him out of his place.