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 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Job Continues: I Will Maintain My Integrity
1Moreouer Iob proceeded and continued his parable, saying, 2The liuing God hath taken away my iudgement: for the Almightie hath put my soule in bitternesse. 3Yet so long as my breath is in me, and the Spirit of God in my nostrels, 4My lips surely shall speake no wickednesse, and my tongue shall vtter no deceite. 5God forbid, that I should iustifie you: vntill I dye, I will neuer take away mine innocencie from my selfe. 6I will keepe my righteousnesse, and wil not forsake it: mine heart shall not reprooue me of my dayes. 7Mine enemie shall be as the wicked, and he that riseth against me, as the vnrighteous. 8For what hope hath the hypocrite when he hath heaped vp riches, if God take away his soule? 9Will God heare his cry, when trouble commeth vpon him? 10Will he set his delight on the Almightie? will he call vpon God at all times? 11I will teache you what is in the hande of God, and I wil not conceale that which is with the Almightie. 12Beholde, all ye your selues haue seene it: why then doe you thus vanish in vanitie? 13This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of tyrants, which they shall receiue of the Almightie. 14If his children be in great nomber, the sworde shall destroy them, and his posteritie shall not be satisfied with bread. 15His remnant shall be buried in death, and his widowes shall not weepe. 16Though he shoulde heape vp siluer as the dust, and prepare rayment as the clay, 17He may prepare it, but the iust shall put it on, and the innocent shall deuide the siluer. 18He buildeth his house as the moth, and as a lodge that the watchman maketh. 19When the rich man sleepeth, he shall not be gathered to his fathers: they opened their eyes, and he was gone. 20Terrours shall take him as waters, and a tempest shall cary him away by night. 21The East winde shall take him away, and he shall depart: and it shall hurle him out of his place. 22And God shall cast vpon him and not spare, though he would faine flee out of his hand. 23Euery man shall clap their hands at him, and hisse at him out of their place.