ESTHER.

The Jews slay their enemics them; for the fear of them fell upon selves together, and stood for their all people. lives, and had rest from their enemies, 3 And all the rulers of the provinces, and slew of their foes seventy and five and the lieutenants, and the deputies, thousand; but they laid not their hands and officers of the king, helped the on the prey.

Jews; because the fear of Mordecai 17 On the thirteenth day of the month fell upon them. Adar,aud on the fourteenth day of the 4 For Mordecai was great in the same rested they,and made it a day of king's house, and his fame went out feasting and gladness. throughout all the provinces: for this 18 But theJews that were at Shushan man Mordecai waxed greater and assembled together on the thirteenth greater. day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.

5 Thus the Jews smote all their ene mies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that bated them.

19 Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, 6 And in Shushan the palace the Jews made the fourteenth day of the month slew and destroyed five hundred men:[Adar a day of gladness and feasting, 7 And Parsbandatha, aud Dalphon, and Aspatha,

3 And Poratha, and Adalia, and Aridatha,

9 And Parmashta, and Arisai, and Aridai, and Vajezatha,

10 The ten sons of Haman the son of Hammedatha, the enemy of the Jews, slew they; but on the spoil laid they not their hand.

11 On that day the number of those that were slain in Shushan the palace was brought before the king.

and a good day, and of sending portions one to another.

20TAnd Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far,

21 To establish this among them,that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly ;

22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them 12 T And the king said unto Esther from sorrow to joy, and from mourn the queen, The Jews have slain and ing into a good day; that they should destroyed five hundred men in Shu-make them days of feasting and joy, shan the palace, and the ten sons of and of sending portions one to anoth Haman; what have they done in the er, and gifts to the poor. rest of the king's provinces? Now, 23 And the Jews undertook to do as what is thy petition? and it shall be they had begun, and as Mordecai had granted thee; or what is thy request written unto them; further? and it shall be done.

13 Then said Esther, If it please the king, let it be granted to the Jews which are in Shushan to do to-morrow also according unto this day's decree, and let Haman's ten son be hanged upon the gallows.

14 And the king commanded it eo to be done: and the decree was given at Shushan; and they hanged Haman's

ten sons.

24 Because Haman the son of Ham medatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had devised against the Jews to destroy them, and had cast Pur, that is, the lot, to consume them, and to destroy them:

25 But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons 15 For the Jews that were inShushan should be hanged on the gallows. gathered themselves together on the 26 Wherefore they called these days fourteenth day also of the month Adar, Purim, after the name of Pur. There and slew three hundred men at Shu-fore, for all the words of this letter, shan; but on the prey they laid not and of that which they had seen con cerning this matter, and which ban come unto them,

their hand.

16 But the other Jews that were in the king's provinces gathered them-1 27 The Tews ordained, and took upon

Job's uprightness.

CHAP. I.

Satan's malice them, and upon their seed, and upon] Mordecai the Jew and Esther the ail such as joined themselves unto queen had enjoined them, and as they them, so as it should not fail, that they bad decreed for themselves and for would keep these two days according their seed, the matters of the fastings to their writing, and according to their and their cry.

appointed time every year;

CHAP. X.

32 And the decree of Esther confirm 28 And that these days should be re-ed these matters of Purim and it membered and kept throughout every was written in the book. generation, every family, every prov ince, and every city; and that these days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, uor the memorial of them perish from their seed.

29 Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, to confirm this second letter of Purim,

30 And he sent the letters unto all the Jews, to the hundred twenty and seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahashuerus, with words of peace and truth,

51 To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as

CHAP. 1.

tribute upon the laud, and upon AND the king Ahasuerus laid a

the isles of the sea.

2 And all the acts of his power and of his might, and the declaration of the greatness of Mordecai, whereunto the king advanced him, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia? 3 For Mordecai the Jew was next 'uuto kingAhashuerus,and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.

¶ The Book of JOB.

7 And the LORD said unto Satan, TH HERE was a man in the land of | Whence comest thou? Then Satan anUz, whose name iras Job; and swered the LORD, and said, From gothat man was perfect and upright, and|ing to and fro in the earth, and from one that feared God, and eschewed walking up and down in it.

evil.

S And the Lono said unto Satan,Hast

2 And there were born unto him sev-thon considered my servant Job, that en sous and three daughters. there is noue like him in the earth, a

3 His substance also was seven thou-perfect and an upright man, one that sand sheep, and three thousandcamels, feareth God, and eschewethevil? five hundred yoke of oxen, and 9 Then Satau answered the Loan, five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

4 Aud his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters, to eat and to drink with them.

5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt-olierings according to the nunber of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and curs ed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

6 ¶ Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lond, aud Satan came also among them.

and said,DothJob fearGod for nought? 10 Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

11 But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he wil curse thee to thy face.

12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Bebold, all that he hath is in thy pow er; ouly upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lond.

B¶ And there was a day when nis sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest broth. er's house :

14 And there came a messenger into

Satan templeth Jub

JOB.

Job curseth kás day Job, and said, The oxen were plough (though thou movèdst me against him, ng, and the asses feeding beside them; to destroy him without cause. 15 And the Salcans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only an escaped alone to tell thee.

16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the serv ants, and consumed them; and 1 only am escaped alone to tell thee.

17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bauds, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sous and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it Tell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will be give for his life.

5 But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Bebold, he is in thy hand; but save his life.

7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and Smote Job with sore biles from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

8 And be took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.

9 TThen said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.

10 But he said unto her, Thou speak est as one of the foolish women speak eth. What! shall we receive good at the band of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

11 T Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, 20 Then Job arose, and rent his man-and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar tle, and shaved his head, and fell down the Naamathite: for they had made upon the ground and worshipped, an appointment together to come to 21 And said, Naked came I out of mourn with him and to comfort bim. my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither the Lond gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD

22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

CHAP. II.

12 And when they lifted up ther eyes afar off, and knew him not, the, lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.

13 So they sat down with him upou the ground seven days and seven

AGAIN there was a day when the nights, and none spake a word unto

selves before the Lono, and Satan very great.

came also among them to present him

self' before the Lond.

CHAP. III.

2 And the LORD said unto Satan, AFTER this opened Job his mouth,

From whence comest thou?And Satan, answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

cursed his day.
2 Aud Job spake and said,

3 Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man-child conceived 4 Let that day be darkness: let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.

3 And the LORD said unto Satan,Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and 5 Let darkness and the shadow of still he holdeth fast his integrity, al-Ideath stain it; let a cloud dwell upon

The case of death.

11; let the blackness of the day terrify which I was afraid of is come unto

As for that night,let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into The number of the months.

7 Lo, let that night be solitary,let no joyful voice come therein.

8 Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourn ing.

Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but have none; neither let it see the dawntug of the day:

me.

26 I was not in safety, neither had. I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came. CHAP. IV.

THEN Eliphaz the Temanite an swered and said,

TE

2 If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who cau withhold himself from speaking? 3 Behold, throu hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak bands.

4 Thy words have upholden him that 10 Because it shut not up the doors of was fallen, and thou hast strengthenmy mother's womb, nor hid sorrowed the feeble knees.

from mine eyes.

5. But now it is come upon thee, and

11 Why died I not from the womb thou_faintest; it toucheth thee, why did I not give up the ghost when thou art troubled.

I came out of the belly?

ways?

and

6 Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, 12 Why did the knees prevent me ?thy hope, and the uprightness of thy or why the breast that I should suck?| 13 For now should I have lain stil and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,

14 With kings and counsellors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves;

15 Or with princes that had gold,who filled their houses with silver:

7 Remember, 1 pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the the righteous cut off? 8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness,reap the

same.

9 By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are Ithey consumed.

16 Or as a hidden untimely birth had not been; as infants which never saw light

17 There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.

18 There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppres

19 The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master.

20 Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul;

21 Which long for death, but it comcth not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures;

10 The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.

11 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.

12 Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.

13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,

14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.

15 Then a spirit passed before my face; the bar of my flesh stood up: 22 Which rejoice exceedingly, and 16 It stood still, but I could not dis are glad, when they can find the grave? cern the form thereof: an image was 23 Why is light given to a man before mine eyes; there was silence, whose way is hid, and whom God and I heard a voice, saying, bath hedged in? 17 Shall mortal man be more just 24 For my sighing cometh before than God? shall a man be more pure eat, and my roarings are poured out than his Maker?

18 Behold, he put no trust in his ser

like the waters. 25 For the thing which I greatly vants; and his angels he charged with feared is come upon me, and that folly:

God is to be

JOB.

regarded in affliction. 19 How much less in them that dwell up: he woundeth, and lus bands make m houses of clay, whose foundation is whole. in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?

20 They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever, without any regarding it.

21 Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.

CHAP. V.

19 He shall deliver thee in six trou bles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

20 In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the pow er of the sword.

21. Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue : neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. 22 At destruction and famine thou

CALL now, if there be any that shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be

will answer thee; and to which afraid of the beasts of the earth.

of the saints wilt thou turn?

2 For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.

23 For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee. 24. And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt

3 I have seen the foolish taking root: but suddenly I cursed his habitation. 1 His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in the gate, neinot sin. ther is there any to deliver them.

5 Whese harvest the hungry eateth up, and taketh it even out of the thorns, and the robber swalloweth up their substance.

25 Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, and thy offspring as the grass of the earth.

26 Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn com

6 Although affliction cometh not forth feth in his season.

of the dust,neither doth trouble spring! 27 Lo this, we have searched it, so it out of the ground; is; hear it, and know thou it for thy

7 Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks ily upward.

8 I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause;

good.

B20

CHAP. VI.

UT Job auswered and said, 2 Oh that my grief were thorough9 Which doeth great things and un-ly weighed, and my calamity laid in searchable; marvellous things without the balances together! number:

10 Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields: 11 To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exa'ted to safety.

12 He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprize.

3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.

4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison thereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

5 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his

13 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness; and the counsel of the fro-fodder? ward is carried beadlong.

14 They meet with darkness in the day-time, and grope in the noon-day as in the night.

le But he saveth the poor from the sword, from their mouth,and from the hand of the mighty..

6 Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?

7 The things that my soul refused to touch are as may sorrowful meat.

8 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the

16 So the poor hatli hope, and iniqui-[thing that I long for! ty stoppeth her mouth.

9 Even that it would please God to 17 Behold, happy is the man whom destroy me; that he would let loose God correcteth: therefore despise not his hand, and cut ine off! thou the chastening of the Almighty: 10 Then should I yet have comfort; 18 For Le maketh sore, and bandeth]yea, I would harder myself in sorrow ;