crime; yea, it is an iniquity to be punished by the judges. For it is a fire that consumeth to destruction, and would root out all mine increase. If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me; what then shall I do when God riseth up? and when He visiteth, what shall I answer Him? Did not He that made me in the womb make him? and did not One fashion us in the womb? If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail; or have eaten my morsel myself alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof; (for from my youth he was brought up with me, as with a father, and I have guided her from my mother's womb;) if I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or any poor without covering; if his loins have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep; if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, when I saw my help in the gate: then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade, and mine arm be broken from the bone. For destruction from God was a terror to me, and by reason of His highness I could not endure. If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; if I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much; if I beheld the sun when it shined, JUNE 18. or the moon walking in brightness; and my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: this also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God That is above. If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up my self when evil found him: neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul. If the men of my tabernacle said not, Ch that we had of his flesh! we cannot be satisfied. The stranger did no lodge in the street: but I opened my doors to the traveller. If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom: did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door? Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book. Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me. I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him. If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain; if I have eaten the fruits thereof with out money, or have caused the own ers thereof to lose their life: let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended. Evening, JoB XXXII. So these three men he seas rightswer Job, because he was righteons in his own eyes. Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he. When Elihu saw that there was no JUNE 18. answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I a young, and ye are very old; where fore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understand ing. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judg ment. Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. | still, and answered no more;) I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion. For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles. I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer. Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my Maker would soon take me away. Morning, JoB XXXIII. JUNE 19. WH THEREFORE, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words. Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth. My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart and my lips shall atter knowledge clearly. The Spirit God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life. If thou canst answer me, set thy teords in order before me, stand up. Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay. Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee. Surely thou hast spoken in mine bearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying, I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. Behold, He findeth occasions against me, He counteth me for His enemy, He putteth my feet in the stocks, He marketh all my paths. Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. Why dost thou strive against Him? for He giveth not account of any of His matters. For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; then He openeth the ears of men, and realeth their instruction, that He JUNE 19. may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain: so that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat. His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out. Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers. If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man His uprightness: then He is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom. His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth: he shall pray unto God, and He will be favourable unto him: and he shall see His face with joy for He will render unto man His righteousness. He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not; He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man, to bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living. Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold JUNE 25. DAILY LESSONS. Thee, and declare Thou unto me. I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. as much as he had before. Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money and every one an earring of gold. So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: fer he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and they name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Keren-happuch And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and And the LORD turned the capti- his sons' sons, even four generations And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as My servant Job hath. Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of Me the thing right, like My servant Job. So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job. which friends: also the LORD gave Job twice days. JUNE 25. Morning, PROVErbs I. full of JUNE 25 E proverbs of Solomon the consent thou not. If they say, Com son of David, king of Israel; To with us, let us lay wait for blood let us lurk privily for the innocent perceive the words of understand- without cause: let us swallow the ing; to receive the instruction of up alive as the grave; and whole know wisdom and instruction; to wisdom, justice, and judgment, and as those that go down into the pi equity; to give subtilty to the simwe shall find all precious substance ple, to the young man knowledge we shall fill our houses with spalle and discretion. A wise man will cast in thy lot among us; let us all hear, and will increase learning; have one purse: My son, walk t and a man of understanding shall thou in the way with them; refrain attain unto wise counsels: to under- thy foot from their path: for that stand a proverb, and the interpreta- feet run to evil, and make haste tion; the words of the wise, and shed blood. Surely in vain the their dark sayings. The fear of the is spread in the sight of any b LORD is the beginning of knowledge: And they lay wait for their blood; they lurk privily for the but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not own lives. So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; thi the law of thy mother: for they taketh away the life of the own shall be an ornament of grace unto thereof. Wisdom crieth without thy head, and chains about thy she uttereth her voice in the street neck. My son, if sinners entice thee, she crieth in the chief place of o course, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh JUNE 25. JUNE 25, 26. anguish cometh upon you. Then as a whirlwind; when distress and shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me carly, but they shall not find me: for that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: they would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. Theretheir own way, and be filled with fore shall they eat of the fruit of their own devices. For the turning and the prosperity of fools shall deaway of the simple shall slay them, stroy them. But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil. Ebening, PROVERBS II. MY son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silTer, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of His saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; discretion shall preBerve thee, understanding shall keep JUNE 26. JUNE 25. of the evil man, from the man that thee: to deliver thee from the way speaketh froward things; who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; whose ways their paths: to deliver thee from are crooked, and they froward in stranger which flattereth with her the strange woman, even from the words; which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths to her return again, neither take unto the dead. None that go unthey hold of the paths of life. That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous. For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and of it. the transgressors shall be rooted out Morning, PROVERBS III. MY son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: for length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth 385 JUNE 26. forsake thee: bind them about thy thine heart: so shalt thou find fa- Cc LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of His correction: for whom the LORD loveth He correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her and happy is every one that retaineth her. The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath He established the heavens. By His knowledge the JUNE 26. | depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: 80 shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thon walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thos liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the dese lation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth curely by thee. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but His secret is with the righteous. The curse of the LORD in the house of the wicked: but He blesseth the habitation of the just Surely He scorneth the scorners: bat He giveth grace unto the lowly. The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools. Evening, PROVERBS IV. JUNE 26. TEAR, ye children, the instruc- | wisdom: and with all thy getting know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get her, she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thos dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace. a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee. Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thes goest, thy steps shall not be strait ened; and when thou runnest, tho shalt not stumble. Take fast bold of instruction; let her not go: keep |