Foreword
The book of Job in the canons contain the speeches of the three friends of Job and those of Job in responds, with a short narration leading up to these, written by one of these three friends namely Eliphaz. And it contains the abusive speech of the beast, or the Satan which he spoke through the mouth of a fourth person there namely Elihu.
As then the Lord censures the three friends, He does not forgive Elihu for his words which won him his condemnation. This book then is called "The testament of Job," a narration by Job to his children at the end of his life. This testament, or narration of Job was written by his brother Nereus, and he mentions having also written the hymns of the three daughters of Job leaving them for record. But as far as I know that has not survived the years, or if so, we have no knowledge of it.
TO
INDEXThe book of the words of Job, the one called Jobab
1. On
the day when having fallen ill, he began to settle his affairs,
and he called his seven sons and three daughters whose names are Tersi,
Choros, Hyon, Nike, Phoros, Phiphe, Phrouon, and Hemera, Kasia, and
Amaltheia's horn.
2. And having called them he
said; "Gather around me my children that
I may tell you the things which the Lord did to me.
3. I am your father Job
fully engaged in endurance, and you are a chosen and honored race from the seed
of Jacob by your mother, for I am of the sons of Esau, the brother of Jacob.
4. So hear me my children,
and I will show you the things that have befallen me.
5. I used to be called Jobab
before the Lord renamed me Job, and I lived near an idols temple where I
constantly saw burnt offerings being made.
6. And I began to reason in
myself saying; Is this truly the God who made the heaven, earth and sea, and our
very selves? How shall I know.
7. And one night as I was in
bed, a loud voice came to me in a very bright light saying; "Jobab, Jobab."
And I said; "Here am I." And He said;
8.
“Arise and I will show
you who this is whom you wish to know, the one to whom they are bringing
offerings is not God, but rather the power of the devil by whom the nature of
men is deceived."
9. And hearing these things
I fell on my bed and said; "My Lord who came for the salvation of my soul I
pray Thee, if this is indeed the place of Satan then grant me authority to go
and purge this place that I may put an end to these offerings for him, for who
is there to forbid me since I rule this region."
10. Then the light answered
me; "You shall indeed be able to purge this place, but I am going to show
you all that the Lord charged me to tell you. "
11. And I said;
"Whatsoever He has charged me His servant, I will hear and do; And again He
said; Thus says the Lord;
12. If you attempt to purge
this place of Satan he will rise against you in wrath for battle, but he will be
unable to bring death on you. But he will bring many plagues, and take away your
goods, and carry off your children.
13. But if you are patient I
will make your name renowned in all generations of the earth till the
consummation of time, and I will return you to your goods in double measure, so
you may know that God is impartial, and does good to all who obey Him.
14. And you shall be raised
up in the resurrection, for you will be like an athlete enduring pain as well as
winning a crown, then you will know that the Lord is just and true and strong,
giving strength to His elect ones."
15. And I my children replied
to Him; "Till death I will endure, I will not step
back at all."
16. Then after having been
sealed by the angel, He having left, I arose the next night taking fifty youths
with me, and struck down the temple of the idol, leveling it to the ground.
17. And I withdrew into my
house having ordered the doors to be secured.
Chapter
2
Satan's
reply.
1. And
now listen and marvel my children, for as soon as I entered my house having the
doors secured, I charged my door maid thus;
2. If anyone seeks me today
give no report, but say; he has no time for he is inside concerned with an
urgent matter.
3. So while I was inside,
Satan knocked at the door having disguised himself as a beggar, and said to the
door maid; "Tell Job I wish to meet with him."
4. When therefore the door
maid told me this, she heard from me to report that I had no time just now, and
Satan hearing this, he departed, and putting on a yoke on his shoulders, he came
and said to the door maid; "Say to Job; give me a loaf of bread from your
hand so I may eat."
5. I then gave to the girl a
burned loaf of bread to give to him with the words; expect not to eat my loaves
any longer for you are estranged from me.
6. But the girl being
ashamed to give him the burned loaf, took her own good loaf and gave it to him
instead.
7. But receiving it, he knew
what had occurred and said to the girl; "Off with you evil servant, bring
me the loaf of bread that was given you to give to me."
8.
The girl then wept with deep
grief saying; "Indeed you have spoken rightly that I am an evil servant,
for if I were not, I would have done as I was assigned to by my master."
9. And returning to him she brought him the burned loaf of bread saying;
"Thus says my lord,
you shall no longer eat from my loaves, for I have been estranged from you,
yet I am giving you this loaf that I may not be accused of providing nothing for
a begging enemy."
10. And he hearing these things sent the girl back to me saying'
"As
this loaf of bread is fully burned so shall I do to your body also, for within
the hour I will depart and devastate you."
11. And I replied to him;
"Do
what you will, for if you intent to bring anything on me, I am prepared to
undergo whatever you inflict."
12. After having withdrawn from me then he went out under the firmament to
implore the Lord that he might receive authority over my goods.
13. Then when he had received authority, he came and took away all my wealth.
Job's
wealth and generosity.
1. I now will show you all the
things which have befallen me, for I used to have 130.000 sheep, 7000 of which I
designated to be sheared for the clothing of orphans and widows and the poor and
helpless.
2. And I had a pack of 80 dogs guarding my flocks, and also 200 other dogs
guarding the house.
3. And I used to have 9000 camels from which I choose 3000 to go to every
city loaded with good things charging them to distribute to the helpless and
destitute, and to all the widows.
4. And I used to have 140.000 she-asses from which I marked off 500 as a
standing order for their offspring to be sold and given to the poor and needy.
5. From all regions people began coming to me for a meeting, the four doors
of my house always being open.
6. And I gave a standing order to my house servants that these doors should
always stand open, with this in mind that as some came to ask for alms, and
seeing me at the door, that they might possibly turn back ashamed leaving with
nothing.
7. Therefore if they saw me at one door they could instead enter or leave by
another door and take as much as they needed.
8. I established in my house 30 tables spread at all hours for strangers
only, and I used to maintain 12 other tables set for the widows.
9. And when any stranger approached to ask alms, he was required to be fed
at my table before he would receive his need, nor did I allow anyone to leave
empty handed.
10. I used to have 3500 yoke of oxen from which I designated 500 for plowing
which they could do in any field of those that could use them.
11. And I marked off their produce for the poor for their table, and I had 50
bakeries from which I arranged for the service of the tables.
12. Also, there were certain strangers, who in seeing my eagerness they too
desired to assist, and still others, at the time being without resources to
invest, came and entreated me saying;
13. May we
also assist in this service, we owe nothing, nevertheless show us mercy, and
lend us money so we may leave for distant cities on business, and contribute to
the service of the poor, and afterwards we repay you.
14. And I
hearing these things would rejoice that they would take anything at all from me
for the care of the poor, and receiving their note eagerly, I would give them as
much as they wished taking no security except a written note, so they might go
at my expense.
15. At times
they would succeed and give to the poor, at other times they would be robbed,
and say; we beg you be patient with us, allow us to find a way to repay you.
16. But I
without delay would bring forth the note and reading it grant cancellation, and
as a crowning feature say; Since I trusted you for the benefit of the poor I
take nothing back from you, nor could I have it in my heart to take anything
back from a debtor.
17.
On
occasion one cheerful at heart would come and say; I am not wealthy enough to
help the destitute, yet I wish to serve the poor this day at your table.
18. And
agreed to, he would serve and eat, but at evening when he was ready to leave for
home, he would be compelled to take wages from me, I would say; you are a
laborer needing your wages, you must accept, nor did I allow wages for
wage-earners to remain with me.
19. Those who
milked the cows grew weary since milk flowed in abundance, butter spreading over
my roads, and from the abundance my herds bedded down among the rocks and
mountains because of the many births.
20.
So the
mountains washed over with milk and became as butter, and my servants who
prepared the meals for the widows and the poor grew tired and would curse me in
contempt saying; Who will give us some of his meats to be satisfied.
21.
Nonetheless
I was quite kind, and I used to have six psalms and a ten stringed lyre, I would
rouse myself daily after the feeding of the widows to take the lyre and play for
them.
22. And they
would chant hymns, and with the psaltery I would remind them of God, so that
they might glorify the Lord.
23. And if my
maidservants ever began murmuring, I would take up the psaltery and strum as
payment in return, thus I would make them stop murmuring in contempt.
24. After the
ministry of the service my children taking their supper daily, went to their
older brother to dine taking their three sisters, leaving the urgent matters
with the maidservants, since my sons also sat at the table with the men who
served.
25.
I
therefore would offer sacrifices early on their behalf according to their
number, 300 doves 50 goat kids, and 12 sheep.
26. I issued
a standing order for all that remained after the rites to be furnished to the
poor, and I would say to them; take these remains so that you may pray on behalf
of my children.
27. Perhaps
my sons may have sinned before the Lord by boasting and disdain saying; We are
sons of this rich man, and these goods are ours, why then do we serve? For pride
is an abomination before God.
28. And again
I offered up a select calf on the altar of God, lest my sons may have thought
evil in their hearts towards God.
Job's losses.
1. As
I then was doing these things during the seven years after the angel had made
the disclosure to me, Satan, when he had received authority, came down
mercilessly.
2.
He
torched 7000 sheep, the 3000 camels, the 500 she asses, and the 500 yoke of
oxen, these all he destroyed by himself in the authority given him against me.
3. The rest
of my herds were confiscated by my fellow countrymen who had been well treated
by me but now rose up against me, and they reported to me the destruction of my
goods, but I glorified God and did not blaspheme.
4. Then the
devil having come to know my heart laid a plot against me disguising himself as
a king of the Persians, and stood in the city gathering all the worthless in it.
5. And with
a boast he spoke to them saying; This man Jobab is the one who destroys all the
good things in the earth leaving nothing, he distributes to beggars, the blind,
and the lame, and yet it is also he who destroyed the temple of the great god
(devils temple), leveling the place of its offerings.
6. Therefore
now I will repay him for what he did against the house of god, come and gather
spoils for yourselves of all his animals and from whatever he has left on earth.
7. And they
answered saying; "He has seven sons and three daughters, they might
possibly flee to other lands and plead against us as though we were tyrants, and
they rise up against us."
8. So he
said; "Have no fear at all, most of his possessions I have already
destroyed by fire the others I confiscated, and as for his children, I shall
slay them."
9. And
having said these things to them he departed and smashed the house down on my
children killing them.
10. And my
fellow countrymen seeing that what he said truly did happen they pursued and
attacked me taking away everything in my house, my eyes watched cheap worthless
men at my tables and couches.
11. And I was
unable to say a thing since I was exhausted like a woman in her pelvic for the
multitude of birth pains, and mostly because I remembered the battle that was
foretold by the Lord through His angel, and the song of victory that had been
told me.
12. So I
became as one wishing to enter a certain city to discover its wealth to gain a
portion of its splendor, or as one embarked with cargo on a ship, who at mid sea
against the wind seeing the third wave, casts his cargo in the sea saying
13. I am
willing to loose everything in order to enter this city so I might gain both the
ship and things better than the payload.
14. Thus I
considered my goods as nothing compared to my city concerning which the angel
spoke to me.
15. And when
the final messenger came showing me the loss of my children, I was deeply
disturbed, and tearing my garment I said to the one who brought the report
"How were you spared?"
16. And
having understood what had happened I cried aloud saying; "The
Lord gave, the Lord took away, as it seemed good to the Lord so it has happened,
blessed be the name of the Lord."
17. Then when
all my goods were gone, Satan concluded that he was unable to provoke me to
contempt and left to ask of the Lord power over my body to inflict plagues upon
it.
18. And the
Lord gave me over into his hands to be used as he wished with respect to my
body, for He did not give him authority over my soul.
19. Then he
came to me while I was sitting on my throne mourning the loss of my children,
and he became like a whirlwind overturning my throne, and I was under my throne
for three hours unable to escape, and he struck me with a severe plague from
head to toe.
20. In my
great trouble and distress then I left the city and sat on a trash heap worm-ridden and discharging from my body wetting the ground with my moisture
21. Many
worms were in my body, and if ever one sprang off I would take it up and return
it to its place saying; Stay in the place where you were put until directed
otherwise by your Commander.
Chapter 5.
Sitis, Job's wife.
1. I
spend twenty years on the dung heap outside the city under the plague, with my
own eyes I saw my wife carrying water into the house of a certain nobleman as a
maidservant so she might get bread and bring it to me.
2. I was stunned and said; "The gall of these city fathers! How can
they treat my wife like a female slave?" But after this I regained my
senses.
3. After
eleven years they even kept bread from me, barely allowing my to have her own
food, and as she did she would divide it between herself and me saying with
pain; Woe is me, soon he will not get enough bread.
4. She would
not hesitate to go out into the market to beg for bread, to bring it to me so I
could eat.
5. And when
Satan knew this he disguised himself as a bread seller, and it happened by
chance that my wife went to him begging bread thinking he was a man.
6. And he
said to her; "Pay the price and take as you like." And she answered;
"Where would I get money? Are you unaware of the evils that have befallen
us? If you have pity on me show mercy, but if not. You shall see."
7. And he
said; "Unless you deserved the evils you would not have received them in
return, if therefore you have no money offer me the hair of your head and take
three loaves of bread perhaps you might live for three more days."
8. Then she
contemplated what good is my hair compared to my hungry husband, and so showing
disdain for her hair, she said to him; "Go ahead take it."
9. He then
took scissors and sheared off the hair of her head and gave her three loaves
while everyone looked on.
10. And
having the loaves she brought them to me while Satan followed her along the road
stealthily leading her heart astray, and drawing near crying in tears she said
to me'
11. "Job
Job, how long will you sit on this heap thinking only a little longer, awaiting
the hope of your salvation? As for me, I am a vagabond and maidservant going
round from place to place.
12. Your
memorial has been wiped away from the earth, I toiled in vain with hardship for
my sons and my daughters, and here you sit in worm infested rottenness passing
the night in the open air.
13. And I for
my part am a wretch immersed in labor night and day just so I might provide a
loaf of bread and bring it to you, any more, and I barely receive my own food.
14. And that
I divide between you and me wondering in my heart that it is not bad enough for
you to be ill, but neither do you get your fill of bread.
15. So I
ventured unashamed into the market, though I was pierced in my heart to do so,
and the bread seller said; Give money and you shall receive, but I showed him
our problem.
16. Then I
heard from him; If you have no money woman - pay with the hair of your head and
take three loaves perhaps you will live for three more days.
17.
And being
remiss, I said to him; go ahead cut my hair. So he arose and cut my hair
disgracefully in the market while the crowd stood by and marveled.
Lament for Sitis.
18.
Who will
not be amazed that this is Sitis, the wife of Job who used to have 14 draperies
sheltering her chambers, and a door within doors so that one was considered
quite worthy merely to gain admission to her presence, but now she exchanges her
hair for loaves of bread.
19.
Whose
camels loaded with good things used to go off into the regions of the poor, now
she gives her hair in return for bread.
20.
Look at
her who used to keep seven tables reserved at her house at which the poor and
aliens used to eat, now she sells her hair outright for loaves.
21. Behold,
one who used to have a foot basin of gold and silver, and now she goes along by
foot, and even her hair she gives in exchange for bread.
22. Observe,
this is she who used to have clothing woven from fine linen with gold, but now
she bears rags and gives her hair in exchange for loaves.
23. Look at
her who used to own couches of gold and silver, but now she sells her hair for
loaves.
24. Job, Job,
although many things have been said in general I speak to you in brief, in the
weakness of my heart, my bones are crushed.
25.
Rise take
the loaves, be satisfied, and then speak some word against the Lord and die,
then I too shall be freed from weariness that issues from the pain of your
body."
26.
So I
answered her; "Behold, I have lived seventeen years in these plagues
submitting to worms in my body, but my soul has never been so depressed by pain
as much as by your statement, speak some words against the Lord and die.
27.
I indeed
suffer these things, and you suffer them too, the loss both of our children and
our goods, do you then suggest we should do something against the Lord to
alienate us from the truly great wealth?
28.
Why not
remember the many good things we used to have, for if we received good things
from the Lord, should we not also endure evil things? Let us rather be patient
then till the Lord in pity shows us mercy.
29. Do you
not see the devil standing behind you unsettling your reasoning so he might
deceive me too? For he seeks to make an exhibit of you as one of the senseless
women who misguide their husbands sincerity."
Job's triumph.
1. And
turning to Satan who was behind my wife I said; "Come, stop hiding
yourself, does a lion show his strength in a cage, or a fledgling take flight in
a basket? Come out and fight.
2. Then he
came from behind my wife, and as he stood, he wept and said; "Look Job, I
am weary and withdraw from you, even though you are flesh
and I am spirit.
3. You
suffer a plague, but I am in deep distress, I became like an athlete wrestling
another, and one pinned down the other, the upper one silenced the lower one by
filling his mouth with sand and bruising his limbs.
4. But because he showed endurance, and not grew weary, at the end the
upper one cried out in defeat, so you also Job were the one, and in a plague, but you conquered my
wrestling tactics which I brought on you.
5. Then the
Satan ashamed, left me for three years, you my children must also be patient in
everything that happens to you, for patience is better
than anything.
Job’s friends arrive.
6. Then
after having spend twenty years under the plague, the kings having heard what
had happen to me, they arose and came to me from their countries that they might
encourage me with a visit.
7. But as
they approached from a distance - they did not recognize me, and cried out and
wept tearing their garments and throwing dust.
8. Then they
sat beside me for seven days and nights with not one of them speaking to me, and
this was not for their patience that they were silent, but because they knew me
before these evils when I lived in lavish wealth.
9.
For when
I used to bring out to them the precious stones, they would marvel clapping
their hands and say;
10. If the
goods of our kingdoms were gathered into one place, they would not equal the
glorious stones of your kingdom, for I was more noble than those of the east.
11. But they
came to Ausitis asking in the city Where is Jobab the king of all Egypt? And
they said concerning me; He sits on a dung heap outside the city and has not
returned for twenty years.
12.
Then they
asked about my goods, and they showed them what had befallen me, and they
hearing this left the city together with the citizens, they showing me to them.
13. But they
contended that I was not Jobab, they still being quite in doubt, then Eliphaz,
king of the Temanites turned to me and said
14.
"Are
you Jobab our fellow king?" And I wept nodding my head, and throwing dust
on it, and said to them, "Indeed I am."
15. And when
they saw me nodding my head, they dropped to the ground in faint, and their
troops were disturbed at seeing their three kings collapse as if dead for three
hours.
16. Then they
arose saying to one another; we do not believe that this is he, so they sat for
seven days reviewing my affairs, recalling my herds and goods saying
17. We knew
about all the good things sent out by him into the cities and surrounding
villages to be distributed to the poor, beside all that was established in his
house, how then has he now fallen into such a deadly state?
18. Then
after seven days of such considerations, Eliphaz spoke up and said to his fellow
kings "Let us approach him and question him carefully to see if he is
really himself or not."
19. But since
they were about a half stadia distant from me because of the stench of my body
they arose and approached me with perfumes in their hands, while their soldiers
come along scattering incense around me in order to approach me.
20.
So they
spend three days spreading incense, and having come near Eliphaz spoke to me
saying
21. "Are
you Jobab our fellow king, the one who once had vast splendor, the one who was
like the sun by day in all the land, and like the moon and stars that shine at
midnight?"
22. And I
said to him; "I am indeed." Then Eliphaz after having wept with loud
wailing, he sang a royal lament while both the other kings and their troops sang
in response.
1. Are
you the one who appointed 7000 sheep for the clothing of the poor,, where now is
the splendor of your throne?
2. Are you
the one who appointed 300 camels for the transport of goods to the needy, when
now the is the splendor of your throne?
3. Are you
the one who appointed a thousand cattle for the needy to use when plowing, where
then is the splendor of your throne?
4. Are you
the one who had golden couches, who now sits on a dung heap, where now is the
splendor of your throne?
5.
Are you
the one who had a throne of precious stones, but now sits in ashes, where now is
the splendor of your throne?
6. Who
opposed you when you were in the midst of your children? For you were blooming
as a sprout of a fragrant fruit tree, now where is the splendor of your throne?
7. Are you
the one who established sixty tables set for the poor, where now is the splendor
of your throne?
8. Are you
the one who had the censers of the fragrant assembly, but now you live amidst
foul stench?
9. Are you
the one who had golden lamps on silver stands, but now you await the light of
the moon, where now is the splendor of your throne?
10. Are you
the one who had the ointment of frankincense, but now you are in trouble?
11. Are you
the one who jeered at the unjust and sinners, but now you have become a joke,
where now is the splendor of your throne?
12. Are you
Jobab the one who had vast splendor, and where now is the splendor of your
throne?
Job's affirmation.
13. And after
Eliphaz finished his wailing while his fellow kings responded to him in great
commotion, after the uproar died down I said to him;
14. "Quiet
now and I will show you my throne with the splendor of its majesty - which is
among the holy ones.
15. My throne is in the upper world, and its splendor and majesty come from the right
hand of the Father.
16. The whole
world will pass away, and its splendor shall fade, and who heed it shall share
in its overthrow.
17.
But my
throne is in the holy land, and its splendor in the world of the changeless One.
18. Rivers
will run dry, and the arrogance of their waves go down into the depths of the abyss, but the rivers of my land, where my
throne is, do not dry-up, nor will they disappear, but exist forever.
19. These
kings will pass away, rulers will come and go, their splendor and boast shall be
as in a mirror, but my kingdom is forever and ever, and its splendor and majesty
are in the chariots of the Father."
Eliphaz takes it as an insult.
20. And as I
was saying these things to silence them, Eliphaz became angry and said to his
other friends;
21. "What
good has it done that we have come here with our armies to comfort him? Look how
he accuses us, let us then go back to our own countries.
22. Here he
sits in misery of worms and foul odors, and yet is piqued at us, kingdoms pass
away and so do their kings, but as for my kingdom, he says, it shall last
forever."
23. So
Eliphaz arising with great consternation turned away in deep sadness and said;
"I am leaving, we came to cheer him, and yet he demeans us in the presence
of our troops."
Baldad to test Job's sanity.
1.
Then
Baldad held him and said; "One should not speak that way to a man who is
not only in mourning but also beset by many plagues.
2. For note,
we although healthy, were not strong enough to approach him for the foul stench
except by much perfume.
3.
You
Eliphaz, have you forgotten how you were when you fell ill for two days? Let us
then be patient so we may discover his true condition, perhaps he is emotionally
disturbed.
4. Perhaps
he recalls his former prosperity, having become mentally unstable, for who would
not be driven senseless and imbalance when he is sick? Allow me to approach him
and determine his condition."
5. Then
Baldad arose and approached me saying; "Are you Jobab?" And I said;
"Yes." And he said; "Is your heart untroubled?" And I said;
6. "My
heart is not fixed on earthly concerns since the earth and those who dwell in it
are unstable, but my heart is fixed on heavenly concerns, for there is no
upheaval in heaven."
7. And
Baldad replied; "We know the earth is unstable, since of course it changes
from time to time, sometimes it steers an even course being at peace, and there
are times of war.
8. But as
for heaven, we hear that it stays calm, but if you are truly sound of mind, I
will ask you about something, and if you answer me sensibly on the first
question, I will ask you on another matter.
9. And if
you answer me calmly it will be clear that you are not emotionally disturbed. So
he said;
10. In whom
do you hope?" And I said; "In the God who lives." And again he
said; "Who destroyed your goods, and inflicted you with these
plagues?" And I said; "God."
11. And he
replied; "You hope on God, yet how then do you reckon Him to be unfair by
inflicting you with all these plagues, and destroying your goods?
12. If He
were to give and then take away it would have been better for Him not to have
given anything, for at no time does a king dishonor the soldier who bears arms
for him well.
13. Or who
will ever understand the deep things of God and His wisdom? Who dares to ascribe
to the Lord an injustice? Answer me this Job.
14. And again
I say to you, if you are sound of mind having your wits about you, tell me why
do you see the sun rising in the east, and setting in the west, and again when
we get up early we again find it to rise in the east? Explain these things to me
if you are the servant of God?"
15. And to
all this I said; "I do have my wits about me, and my mind is sound, why
then should I not speak on the magnificent things of the Lord?
16. Or should
my mouth utterly fail regarding the Master? No never! Who are we to busy
ourselves with heavenly matters, seeing we are but flesh having our lot in dust
and ashes?
17. But so
you may know that my heart is sound, here is my question for you; Food enters
the mouth, then water is drunk through the same mouth and passes through the
same throat, but whenever the two reach the latrine they are separated from each
other, who divides them?"
18. And
Baldad said; "I do not know." And I replied; "If you do not
understand the functions of the body, how then will you understand heavenly
matters?"
Sophar offers help.
1. Then
Sophar replied and said; "we are not inquiring after things beyond us, but
we have sought to know if you are sound of mind.
2. And now
that we know that your intelligence has been unaffected, what then do you wish
us to do for you?
3. Since we
are traveling, we have brought with us the physicians of our three kingdoms, do
you wish to be treated by them, perhaps you will find relief?"
4. But I
answered saying; "My healing and my treatment are from the Lord who also
created the physicians."
Sitis comes to them.
5. And while
I was saying these things to them, my wife Sitis arrived in tattered garments
fleeing from the servitude of the officials which she served, since he had
forbidden her to leave lest the fellow kings see her and seize her.
6. And when
she came, she threw herself at their feet and said weeping; "Do you
remember me Eliphaz, you and your two friends what sort of person I used to be
among you, and how I used to dress, but now look at my debut and my
attire."
7. Then,
when they had made great lamentation and were doubly exhausted, they fell
silent, and Eliphaz took his purple robe and put it around my wife.
8. But she
began to beg them saying; "I plead with you, order your soldiers to dig
through the ruins of the house that fell on my children so that at least their
bones might be preserved as a memorial, since we cannot because of the expense.
9. Let us
see them if only their bones, have I the womb of cattle or of a wild animal that
my ten children have died and I have not arranged the burial of a single one of
them?"
10. And they
left to dig, but I forbade them saying; "Do not trouble yourselves in
vain, for you will not find my children since they
were taken up into heaven by the Creator their King."
11. Then
again they answered and said "But now who will not say that you are
demented and mad, when you say; My children have been taken up into heaven. Tell
us the truth."
12. And I
replied; "Lift me up so I can stand erect." And they lifted me up
supporting my arms on both sides.
13. And
standing up, I sang praises to the Father, and after the prayer I said to them;
"Look up with your eyes to the east, and see my
children crowned with the splendor of the heavenly One."
14. And when
Sitis my wife saw that, she fell to the ground worshipping and said; "Now
I know that I have a memorial with the Lord, so I shall arise and return
to the city, and nap a while refreshing myself before my duties of my
servitude."
15. And when
she had left for the city, she went up to one of the cow sheds of her oxen, and
laid down near a certain manger, and died in good spirits.
16. And when
her domineering ruler sought her but could not find her, at evening he went into
the folds of herds and found her laying dead.
17. And all
who saw her cried out in an uproar of lament over her, the sound of which
reached through the whole city.
18. And
rushing in to discover what had happened they found her dead, with the living
animals standing near weeping over her.
19. And so,
bearing her in procession they attended to her burial, locating her near the
house that collapsed on her children.
20. And the
poor of the city made great lamentation saying; Look this is Sitis the woman of
pride and splendor, she was not even considered worthy of a decent burial.
21. So then
you will find in the "Miscellanies" the lament made for her.
Elihu's insult.
1. After these things, Eliphaz and the rest sat beside me arguing and talking big against me, and after twenty seven days when they were about to arise and return to their countries, they were implored by Elihu saying;
2. "Stay
a while till I clarify this issue for him, you held on quite some time while Job
boasted himself to be a just man.
3. But I
will not hold back, for from the start I Too made lamentations for him
remembering his former prosperity.
4. But now
here he speaks out in boastful grandeur saying he has his throne in heaven. So
listen to me now and I will tell you about his imaginary estate."
5. Then
Elihu inspired by Satan spoke insulting words against me, which are written in;
"The miscellanies of Eliphaz." (Book of Job).
6. And after
Elihu ended his arrogant speech, the Lord appeared plainly to me in a hurricane
and clouds, and spoke censuring Elihu, showing me that the one who spoke in him
was not human, but a beast.
7. And when
the Lord spoke to me through the cloud, the four kings also heard the voice of
Him who spoke.
The Lord censures the kings.
8. And after
the Lord had spoken to me, He said to Eliphaz; "You there Eliphaz, you and
your two friends, why did you sin?
9. You have
not spoken truly regarding My servant Job, arise and have him offer up
sacrifices on your behalf so your sins may be taken away, for if not for him I
would have destroyed you."
10.
So they
brought me things for sacrifice, and I took them and made an offering on their
behalf, and the Lord received it favorably, forgiving their sins.
11. Then
Eliphaz, Baldad, and Zophar knowing that the Lord had shown them favor regarding
their sins, but had not considered Elihu worthy, Eliphaz replied and spoke up
with a hymn, while the other friends and their troops sang to him in response
near the altar.
Eliphaz hymn.
12.
Eliphaz
then spoke in this manner; Our sins were stripped off, our lawlessness buried,
Elihu, Elihu, the only evil one, he will have no memorial among the living.
13. His
burned-out lamp has lost its luster, the splendor of his lantern will flee from
him into condemnation, and the doorkeepers of darkness shall inherit his
splendor and majesty.
14. His
kingdom is gone, his throne is rotten, the horror of his tent lies in hell, he
loved the beauty of the snake, and the scales of the dragon, its venom and
poison shall be his food.
15. He did not take to himself the Lord, nor did he fear Him, but even His
honored ones he provoked to anger.
16. The Lord
has forgotten him, and the holy ones abandoned him, instead wrath and anger
shall be his tent, he has no hope in his heart, nor peace in his body, he has
the poison of asps in his tongue.
17.
Righteous
is the Lord, true are His judgments, with Him there is no favoritism, He will
judge us all together.
18. Behold,
the Lord has come, His holy ones are prepared, while crowns lead the way with
praises.
19. Let the
holy ones rejoice, let them leap for joy in their hearts, for they have received
the splendor they awaited.
20. Gone is
our sin, cleansed is our lawlessness, but the evil one Elihu has no memorial
among the living.
Job's restoration.
21. After
Eliphaz ended the hymn, and all were singing in response to him and encircling
the altar, we arose, entered the city where we now our home, and we made great
festivities in the delight of the Lord, Once again I sought to do good works to
the poor, and all my friends, and those who had known me as a benefactor came to
me.
22. And they
asked me; "What do you ask of us now?" And remembering the poor again
to do them good, I asked saying;
23. "Let
each one give me a lamb for the clothing of the poor that are naked. So then
everyone brought a lamb and a gold coin. And the Lord blessed all the goods I
owed and doubled my estate.
24. And now
my children, behold, I am dying, above all do not forget the Lord, do good to
the poor, do not overlook the helpless, do not take to yourself wives from
strangers.
25. Behold my
children, I am dividing among you everything that is mine, so each one may have
unrestricted control over his own share."
Job's inheritance.
1. And
they brought forth the estate for distribution among the seven sons, for he did
not present any goods to the daughters.
2. And they
were grieved saying to their father; Sir, are we not also your children, why
then did you not give us also some of your goods?
3. But Job
said to them; "Do not be troubled my daughters, I have not forgotten you,
but designated for you an inheritance better than your brothers."
4. And
having called Hamera he said to her; "Take the signet ring, go to the vault
and bring me the three golden boxes so that I may give you your
inheritance."
5. And she
left and brought them back, and he opened them bringing out three multi-colored
cords whose appearance was such that no man could describe them, since they were
not from the earth, but from heaven, shimmering with fiery sparks like the rays
of the sun.
6.
And he
gave each one a cord saying; "Place these about your breast so it may go
well with you all the days of your life."
7.
Then the
other daughter named Kasia said to him "Father, is this the inheritance
which you said was better than that of our brothers? Who has use for these
unusual cords, we cannot gain a living from them, can we?"
8. And their
father said to them; "Not only shall you gain a living from these, but
these will lead you into the better world to live in heaven.
9. Are you
then so ignorant my children of the value of these strings? For the Lord
considering me worthy of these in the day in which He wished to show me mercy,
and rid my body of the plague and worms.
10. He
calling me furnished me with these three cords and said; Arise gird your loins
like a man, I shall question you, and you shall answer Me.
11. So I took
them and put them on, and immediately from that time the worms disappeared from
my body, and the plague also.
12.
Then my
body got strength through the Lord as if I actually had not suffered a thing, I
also forget the pains in my heart, and the Lord spoke to me in power, showing me
things present and things to come.
13. Now then
my children since you have these objects, you will not have to face the enemy,
nor will you have worries of him in your mind.
14. Since it
is a protective amulet of the Father, Rise then, gird yourselves with them
before I die in order that you may be able to see those who are coming for my
soul, in order that you may marvel at the creatures of God."
15. Then
Hemera arose and wrapped herself in her own string as her father had said, and
she took on another heart, one no longer minded towards earthly things.
16. But she
spoke spiritually in the dialect of the angels, sending up a hymn to God in the hymnist
style of the angels, and speaking thus, she allowed the Spirit to be
inscribed on her garment.
17. Then
Kasia bound hers on, and her heart changed so that she no longer regarded
worldly things, and her mouth took on the dialect of the Archons.
18. And she
praised God for the creation of the heights, so if anyone wishes to know
"the creation of heaven," he will be able to find it in the hymn of
Kasia.
19. Then
Amaltheia's horn bound on her cord, and she spoke ecstatically in the dialect of
those on high, her heart also being changed keeping aloof from worldly things.
20. And she
spoke in the dialect of the Cherubim, glorifying the Master of virtues by
showing their splendor.
21. And
finally whoever wishes to grasp a trace of the parental splendor, will find it
written in the "Prayers of Amaltheia’s Horn."
Job's brother concludes his narrative.
22. After
these three had stopped singing hymns, while the Lord was present, I Nereus,
brother of Job, and while also the holy angel was present as I sat near Job on
the couch, and hearing these magnificent things as each one made explanation to
each other.
23. And I
wrote out a complete book of most of the contents of these hymns that came from
the three daughters of my brother, so that these things might be preserved, for
these are the magnificent things of God.
24. And after
three days as Job was on his bed without pain or suffering, for on account of
the omen of the sash he wore, suffering could no longer touch him.
25.
Then he
saw those who came for his soul, and rising he took a lyre and gave it to his
daughter Hemera, and to Kasia he gave a censer, and to Amaltheia’s Horn he
gave a kettle drum, so they might bless those who had come for his soul.
26. And when
they took them they saw the gleaming chariots which had come for his soul, and
they blessed and glorified God each one in her own distinct dialect.
27. After
these things the one who sat in the great chariot got off, and greeted Job,
while the three daughters and their father himself looked on, though certain
others did not see.
28. And
taking the soul he flew up embracing it, and mounted the chariot, and set off
for the east.
29. But his
body prepared for burial was borne to the tomb as his three daughters went ahead
girded about and singing hymns to God.
30. And I
Nereus his brother, with the seven sons accompanied by the widows and orphans
and all the helpless as we were weeping and saying;
31. "Woe
to us today, a double woe, gone is the strength of the helpless, gone is the
light of the blind, gone is the father of orphans, gone is the host of
strangers, gone is the clothing of the widows, who then will not weep over the
man of God?"
32. And as
soon as they brought the body to the tomb, all the widows and orphans circled
around forbidding it to be brought into the tomb.
33. But after
three days they laid him in the tomb, in a beautiful sleep, since he received a
name renowned in all generations forever. Amen.
