WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:00.030 --> 00:00:02.880 Henry: Welcome To Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience. 00:00:02.980 --> 00:00:04.370 Day three hundred and twenty two. 00:00:04.508 --> 00:00:05.948 Job continued speaking. 00:00:06.788 --> 00:00:11.588 I vow by the living God who has taken away my rights by the 00:00:11.593 --> 00:00:14.108 Almighty, who has embittered my soul. 00:00:14.708 --> 00:00:20.438 As long as I live, while I have breath from God, my lips will speak no evil 00:00:20.798 --> 00:00:22.838 and my tongue will speak no lies. 00:00:23.858 --> 00:00:26.108 I will never concede that you are right. 00:00:26.498 --> 00:00:29.408 I will defend my integrity until I die. 00:00:30.038 --> 00:00:32.618 I will maintain my innocence without wavering. 00:00:32.978 --> 00:00:38.108 My conscience is clear For as long as I live, may my enemy 00:00:38.113 --> 00:00:39.578 be punished like the wicked. 00:00:39.848 --> 00:00:44.818 My adversary, like those who do evil for what hope do the godless have 00:00:44.818 --> 00:00:49.178 when God cuts them off and takes away their life, will God listen to their 00:00:49.178 --> 00:00:50.918 cry when trouble comes upon them? 00:00:51.623 --> 00:00:53.663 Can they take delight in the Almighty? 00:00:54.293 --> 00:00:56.603 Can they call to God at any time? 00:00:57.323 --> 00:00:59.153 I will teach you about God's power. 00:00:59.723 --> 00:01:02.333 I will not conceal anything concerning the Almighty. 00:01:03.263 --> 00:01:08.003 But you have seen all this, yet you say all these useless things to me. 00:01:09.593 --> 00:01:11.813 This is what the wicked will receive from God. 00:01:12.233 --> 00:01:14.333 This is their inheritance from the Almighty. 00:01:15.083 --> 00:01:18.533 They may have many children, but the children will die 00:01:18.538 --> 00:01:20.393 in war or starve to death. 00:01:21.113 --> 00:01:25.463 Those who survive will die of a plague and not even their widows will mourn them. 00:01:26.483 --> 00:01:32.033 Evil people may have piles of money and may store away mounds of clothing, but 00:01:32.033 --> 00:01:36.533 the righteous will wear that clothing and the innocent will divide that money. 00:01:36.873 --> 00:01:41.843 The wicked build houses as fragile as a spider's web, as flimsy 00:01:41.843 --> 00:01:43.343 as a shelter made of branches. 00:01:44.093 --> 00:01:48.323 The wicked go to bed rich, but wake to find that all their wealth is gone. 00:01:49.313 --> 00:01:52.883 Terror overwhelms them like a flood, and they are blown away In the 00:01:52.883 --> 00:01:58.163 storms of the night, the east wind carries them away and they are gone. 00:01:58.883 --> 00:02:00.083 It sweeps them away. 00:02:00.473 --> 00:02:02.453 It whirls down on them without mercy. 00:02:02.633 --> 00:02:07.703 They struggle to flee from its power, but everyone jeers at them and mocks them. 00:02:09.323 --> 00:02:12.773 People know where to mine silver and how to refine gold. 00:02:13.463 --> 00:02:17.153 They know where to dig iron from the earth and how to smelt copper from rock. 00:02:18.008 --> 00:02:22.268 They know how to shine light in the darkness and explore the farthest regions 00:02:22.268 --> 00:02:24.488 of the earth as they search in the dark. 00:02:24.488 --> 00:02:29.678 For ore, they sink a mineshaft into the earth far from where anyone lives. 00:02:30.518 --> 00:02:33.368 They descend on ropes, swinging back and forth. 00:02:34.088 --> 00:02:40.088 Food is grown on the earth above, but down below the earth is melted as by fire. 00:02:40.928 --> 00:02:45.668 Here, the rocks contain precious lapis, lly, and the dust contains gold. 00:02:46.598 --> 00:02:47.498 These are treasures. 00:02:47.498 --> 00:02:51.038 No bird of prey can see no falcons eye observe. 00:02:51.698 --> 00:02:54.668 No wild animal has walked upon these treasures. 00:02:55.178 --> 00:02:57.338 No lion has ever set his paw there. 00:02:58.238 --> 00:03:03.758 People know how to tear apart Flinty rocks and overturn the roots of mountains. 00:03:04.538 --> 00:03:08.048 They cut tunnels in the rocks and uncover precious stones. 00:03:08.798 --> 00:03:12.308 They dam up the trickling streams and bring to light the hidden treasures. 00:03:13.523 --> 00:03:15.983 But do people know where to find wisdom? 00:03:16.823 --> 00:03:18.743 Where can they find understanding? 00:03:19.523 --> 00:03:21.383 No one knows where to find it for. 00:03:21.383 --> 00:03:23.003 It is not found among the living. 00:03:23.933 --> 00:03:28.853 It is not here says the ocean, nor is it here, says the sea. 00:03:29.183 --> 00:03:31.433 It cannot be bought with gold. 00:03:31.883 --> 00:03:33.923 It cannot be purchased with silver. 00:03:34.793 --> 00:03:40.433 It's worth more than all the gold of oer, greater than precious onyx or lapis lly. 00:03:41.843 --> 00:03:44.603 Wisdom is more valuable than gold and crystal. 00:03:45.113 --> 00:03:46.253 It cannot be purchased. 00:03:46.253 --> 00:03:50.753 With jewels mounted in fine, gold, coral and Jasper are 00:03:50.753 --> 00:03:52.193 worthless in trying to get it. 00:03:52.853 --> 00:03:55.133 The price of wisdom is far above rubies. 00:03:55.733 --> 00:03:59.153 Precious paradox from Ethiopia cannot be exchanged for it. 00:03:59.483 --> 00:04:01.463 It's worth more than the purest gold. 00:04:02.603 --> 00:04:05.003 But do people know where to find wisdom? 00:04:05.633 --> 00:04:07.553 Where can they find understanding? 00:04:08.123 --> 00:04:10.553 It is hidden from the eyes of all humanity. 00:04:11.138 --> 00:04:14.108 Even the sharp-eyed birds in the sky cannot discover it. 00:04:14.858 --> 00:04:19.628 Destruction and death say, we've heard only rumors of where wisdom can be found. 00:04:20.648 --> 00:04:23.438 God alone understands the way to wisdom. 00:04:23.888 --> 00:04:26.078 He knows where it can be found for. 00:04:26.083 --> 00:04:29.498 He looks throughout the whole earth and sees everything under the heavens. 00:04:30.148 --> 00:04:34.418 He decided how hard the wind should blow and how much rain should fall. 00:04:35.048 --> 00:04:38.678 He made the laws for the rain and laid out a path for the lightning. 00:04:39.503 --> 00:04:41.963 Then he saw wisdom and evaluated it. 00:04:42.443 --> 00:04:46.193 He said it in place and examined it thoroughly, and this is 00:04:46.193 --> 00:04:50.273 what he says To all humanity, the fear of the Lord is true. 00:04:50.273 --> 00:04:54.323 Wisdom to forsake evil is real understanding. 00:04:56.153 --> 00:04:57.563 Job continued speaking. 00:04:58.283 --> 00:05:02.693 I long for the years gone by when God took care of me, when he lit 00:05:02.693 --> 00:05:05.813 up the way before me, and I walked safely through the darkness. 00:05:06.608 --> 00:05:10.568 When I was in my prime, God's friendship was felt in my home. 00:05:11.138 --> 00:05:15.278 The Almighty was still with me and my children were around me. 00:05:16.058 --> 00:05:21.068 My steps were a wash in cream and the rocks gushed olive oil for me. 00:05:21.318 --> 00:05:25.538 The those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my 00:05:25.538 --> 00:05:27.278 place among the honored leaders. 00:05:27.938 --> 00:05:31.838 The young stepped aside when they saw me and even the aged 00:05:31.928 --> 00:05:33.788 rose and respect at my coming. 00:05:34.538 --> 00:05:37.808 The Princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths. 00:05:38.468 --> 00:05:42.758 The highest officials of the city stood quietly holding their tongues in respect. 00:05:43.658 --> 00:05:48.938 All who heard me praised me, all who saw me, spoke well of me, for 00:05:48.938 --> 00:05:52.778 I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help. 00:05:53.588 --> 00:05:58.118 I helped those without hope and they blessed me, and I caused the 00:05:58.118 --> 00:06:00.068 widow's hearts to sing for joy. 00:06:00.818 --> 00:06:02.498 Everything I did was honest. 00:06:02.858 --> 00:06:07.178 Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban. 00:06:07.808 --> 00:06:10.868 I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame. 00:06:11.438 --> 00:06:15.038 I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help. 00:06:15.728 --> 00:06:19.298 I broke the jaws of godless, oppressors and plucked their 00:06:19.298 --> 00:06:20.528 victims from their teeth. 00:06:21.848 --> 00:06:28.358 I thought, surely I will die surrounded by my family after a long, good life for I am 00:06:28.358 --> 00:06:30.728 like a tree whose roots reach the water. 00:06:31.103 --> 00:06:36.473 Whose branches are refreshed with the due new honors are constantly bestowed on me 00:06:36.833 --> 00:06:39.233 and my strength is continually renewed. 00:06:40.463 --> 00:06:42.233 Everyone listened to my advice. 00:06:42.683 --> 00:06:47.303 They were silent as they waited for me to speak, and after I spoke, they 00:06:47.303 --> 00:06:49.523 had nothing to add for my counsel. 00:06:49.528 --> 00:06:50.453 Satisfied them. 00:06:51.353 --> 00:06:54.713 They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. 00:06:55.343 --> 00:06:58.523 They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain. 00:06:59.213 --> 00:07:01.643 When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. 00:07:02.213 --> 00:07:05.933 My look of approval was precious to them like a chief. 00:07:06.083 --> 00:07:07.433 I told them what to do. 00:07:07.973 --> 00:07:11.663 I lived like a king among his troops and comforted those who mourned. 00:07:13.193 --> 00:07:18.623 But now I am mocked by people younger than I, by young men whose fathers are 00:07:18.623 --> 00:07:20.963 not worthy to run with my sheep dogs. 00:07:21.563 --> 00:07:22.523 A lot of good they are. 00:07:22.523 --> 00:07:23.213 To me. 00:07:23.363 --> 00:07:27.413 Those worn out wretches, they are gone from poverty and hunger. 00:07:27.833 --> 00:07:30.803 They claw the dry ground in desolate wastelands. 00:07:31.403 --> 00:07:34.763 They pluck wild greens from among the bushes and eat from 00:07:34.763 --> 00:07:36.203 the roots of broom trees. 00:07:36.833 --> 00:07:40.073 They are driven from human society and people shout at 00:07:40.073 --> 00:07:41.513 them as if they were thieves. 00:07:42.173 --> 00:07:47.543 So now they live in frightening ravines in caves and among the rocks, they sound 00:07:47.543 --> 00:07:51.413 like animals howling among the bushes, huddled together beneath the nettles. 00:07:51.983 --> 00:07:55.103 They're nameless fools outcasts from society. 00:07:56.573 --> 00:07:59.453 And now they mock me with vulgar songs. 00:07:59.723 --> 00:08:00.563 They taunt me. 00:08:00.983 --> 00:08:04.013 They despise me and won't come near me, except as spit in my 00:08:04.013 --> 00:08:06.773 face for God has cut my bow. 00:08:06.778 --> 00:08:07.193 Stringing. 00:08:07.673 --> 00:08:10.523 He has humbled me so they have thrown off all restraint. 00:08:11.243 --> 00:08:13.883 These outcasts oppose me to my face. 00:08:14.333 --> 00:08:17.243 They send me sprawling and lay traps in my path. 00:08:17.843 --> 00:08:21.503 They block my road and do everything they can to destroy me. 00:08:22.253 --> 00:08:23.903 They know I have no one to help me. 00:08:24.503 --> 00:08:26.513 They come at me from all directions. 00:08:26.723 --> 00:08:28.373 They jump on me when I am down. 00:08:29.033 --> 00:08:33.593 I live in terror now, my honor Has blown away in the wind and 00:08:33.593 --> 00:08:39.803 my prosperity has vanished like a cloud, and now my life seeps away. 00:08:40.613 --> 00:08:43.853 Depression haunts my days at night. 00:08:43.883 --> 00:08:50.033 My bones are filled with pain, which gnaws at me relentlessly with a strong hand. 00:08:50.033 --> 00:08:51.563 God grabs my shirt. 00:08:52.013 --> 00:08:54.323 He grips me by the collar of my coat. 00:08:54.863 --> 00:08:56.513 He has thrown me into the mud. 00:08:57.323 --> 00:08:59.513 I'm nothing more than dust and ashes. 00:09:00.623 --> 00:09:01.763 I cry to you. 00:09:01.793 --> 00:09:04.493 Oh God, but you don't answer. 00:09:05.633 --> 00:09:09.293 I stand before you, but you don't even look. 00:09:10.403 --> 00:09:12.083 You have become cruel toward me. 00:09:12.653 --> 00:09:14.843 You use your power to persecute me. 00:09:15.623 --> 00:09:19.883 You throw me into the whirlwind and destroy me in the storm, and I know 00:09:19.883 --> 00:09:21.413 you are sending me to my death. 00:09:21.938 --> 00:09:23.798 The destination of all who live. 00:09:24.758 --> 00:09:28.958 Surely no one would turn against the needy when they cry for help in their trouble. 00:09:29.798 --> 00:09:32.078 Did I not weep for those in trouble? 00:09:32.558 --> 00:09:35.018 Was I not deeply grieved for the needy? 00:09:35.948 --> 00:09:38.978 So I looked for good, but evil came. 00:09:38.983 --> 00:09:43.358 Instead, I waited for the light, but darkness fell. 00:09:44.498 --> 00:09:46.898 My heart is troubled and restless. 00:09:47.318 --> 00:09:49.418 Days of suffering torment me. 00:09:50.033 --> 00:09:52.343 I walk in gloom without sunlight. 00:09:52.913 --> 00:09:55.703 I stand in the public square and cry for help. 00:09:56.873 --> 00:10:01.673 Instead, I am considered a brother to jackals and a companion to owls. 00:10:02.633 --> 00:10:06.413 My skin has turned dark and my bones burn with fever. 00:10:07.193 --> 00:10:12.383 My heart plays sad music and my flute accompanies those who weep. 00:10:14.213 --> 00:10:18.383 I made a covenant with my eyes not to look with lust at a young woman. 00:10:19.178 --> 00:10:21.278 For what has God above chosen for us? 00:10:21.848 --> 00:10:25.928 What is our inheritance from the Almighty on high, isn't it? 00:10:25.928 --> 00:10:29.228 Calamity for the wicked and misfortune for those who do evil? 00:10:29.948 --> 00:10:33.248 Doesn't he see everything I do and every step I take? 00:10:34.298 --> 00:10:37.088 Have I lied to anyone or deceived anyone? 00:10:37.868 --> 00:10:42.308 Let God weigh me on the scales of justice for he knows my integrity 00:10:43.298 --> 00:10:45.308 if I have strayed from his pathway. 00:10:45.683 --> 00:10:49.973 Or if my heart has lusted for what my eyes have seen, or if I'm guilty 00:10:49.973 --> 00:10:54.563 of any other sin, then let someone else eat the crops I have planted. 00:10:54.893 --> 00:10:56.993 Let all that I have planted be uprooted. 00:10:57.863 --> 00:11:02.243 If my heart has been seduced by a woman, or if I have lusted for my neighbor's 00:11:02.243 --> 00:11:05.543 wife, then let my wife serve another man. 00:11:05.843 --> 00:11:10.583 Let other men sleep with her for lust Is a shameful sin, a 00:11:10.583 --> 00:11:12.263 crime that should be punished. 00:11:12.773 --> 00:11:15.563 It is a fire that burns all the way to hell. 00:11:15.923 --> 00:11:21.353 It would wipe out everything I own if I have been unfair to my 00:11:21.353 --> 00:11:24.623 male or female servants when they brought their complaints to me. 00:11:24.803 --> 00:11:26.153 How could I face God? 00:11:26.663 --> 00:11:31.973 What could I say When he questioned me, for God created both me and my servants. 00:11:32.213 --> 00:11:34.103 He created us both in the womb. 00:11:35.423 --> 00:11:39.773 Have I refused to help the poor or crushed the hopes of widows? 00:11:40.313 --> 00:11:44.093 Have I been stingy with my food and refused to share it with orphans? 00:11:44.933 --> 00:11:45.443 No. 00:11:45.773 --> 00:11:50.033 From childhood, I have cared for orphans like a father, and all 00:11:50.033 --> 00:11:51.983 my life I have cared for widows. 00:11:52.733 --> 00:11:56.423 Whenever I saw the homeless without clothes and the needy with nothing 00:11:56.423 --> 00:12:01.313 to wear, did they not praise me for providing wool clothing to keep them warm? 00:12:02.513 --> 00:12:07.343 If I raised my hand against an orphan, knowing the judges would take my side, 00:12:07.493 --> 00:12:11.963 then let my shoulder be wrenched out of place, let my arm be torn from its 00:12:11.963 --> 00:12:18.053 socket, that would be better than facing God's judgment for if the majesty of 00:12:18.053 --> 00:12:20.873 God opposes me, what hope is there? 00:12:22.103 --> 00:12:25.613 Have I put my trust in money or felt secure because of gold? 00:12:26.123 --> 00:12:28.943 Have I gloated about my wealth and all that I own? 00:12:29.783 --> 00:12:34.253 Have I looked at the sun shining in the skies or the moon walking down its silver 00:12:34.253 --> 00:12:39.323 pathway and been secretly enticed in my heart to throw kisses at them and worship. 00:12:40.073 --> 00:12:42.803 If so, I should be punished by the judges. 00:12:43.223 --> 00:12:46.043 For it would mean I had denied the God of heaven. 00:12:47.273 --> 00:12:51.293 Have I ever rejoiced when disastrous struck my enemies or become 00:12:51.293 --> 00:12:53.273 excited when harm came their way? 00:12:54.023 --> 00:12:54.443 No. 00:12:54.863 --> 00:12:59.183 I have never sinned by cursing anyone or by asking for revenge. 00:13:00.143 --> 00:13:03.443 My servants have never said he let others go hungry. 00:13:04.193 --> 00:13:08.693 I have never turned away a stranger, but have opened my doors to everyone. 00:13:09.953 --> 00:13:12.953 Have I tried to hide my sins like other people do? 00:13:13.193 --> 00:13:15.203 Concealing my guilt in my heart? 00:13:15.953 --> 00:13:18.983 Have I feared the crowd or the contempt of the masses so that 00:13:18.983 --> 00:13:20.843 I kept quiet and stayed indoors? 00:13:22.388 --> 00:13:28.478 If only someone would listen to me, look, I will sign my name to my defense. 00:13:29.048 --> 00:13:30.728 Let the almighty answer me. 00:13:31.268 --> 00:13:34.358 Let my accuser write out the charges against me. 00:13:34.868 --> 00:13:37.178 I would face the accusation proudly. 00:13:37.418 --> 00:13:41.888 I would wear it like a crown for, I would tell him exactly what I have done. 00:13:42.008 --> 00:13:43.958 I would come before him like a prince. 00:13:45.143 --> 00:13:50.093 If my land accuses me and all its furrows cry out together, or if I 00:13:50.093 --> 00:13:55.313 have stolen its crops or murdered its owners, then let thistles grow on 00:13:55.313 --> 00:13:57.893 that land instead of wheat and weeds. 00:13:57.923 --> 00:14:02.123 Instead of barley job's, words are ended. 00:14:02.413 --> 00:14:07.313 This concludes today's immerse reading experience. 00:14:07.433 --> 00:14:08.423 Thank you for joining us.