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Passage 1: Job 18-19

(Job 18:1) Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,

(Job 18:2) When will yee make an ende of your words? cause vs to vnderstande, and then wee will speake.

(Notes Reference) How long [will it be ere] (a) ye make an end of words? (b) mark, and afterwards we will speak.

(a) Who count yourselves just as (Job 12:4).

(b) Whom you take to be only beasts, as in (Job 12:7).

(Job 18:3) Wherefore are wee counted as beastes, and are vile in your sight?

(Job 18:4) Thou art as one that teareth his soule in his anger. Shall the earth bee forsaken for thy sake? or the rocke remoued out of his place?

(Notes Reference) (c) He teareth himself in his anger: shall the (d) earth be forsaken for thee? and shall the rock be removed out of his place?

(c) That is, like a madman.

(d) Shall God change the order of nature for your sake, by dealing with you otherwise than he does with all man?

(Job 18:5) Yea, the light of the wicked shalbe quenched, and the sparke of his fire shall not shine.

(Notes Reference) Yea, the light of the wicked shall be (e) put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine.

(e) When the wicked is in his prosperity, then God changes his state: and this is his ordinary working for their sins.

(Job 18:6) The light shalbe darke in his dwelling, and his candle shalbe put out with him.

(Job 18:7) The steps of his strength shalbe restrained, and his owne counsell shall cast him downe.

(Job 18:8) For hee is taken in the net by his feete, and he walketh vpon the snares.

(Notes Reference) For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he (f) walketh upon a snare.

(f) Meaning, that the wicked are in continual danger.

(Job 18:9) The grenne shall take him by the heele, and the theefe shall come vpon him.

(Job 18:10) A snare is layed for him in the ground, and a trappe for him in the way.

(Job 18:11) Fearefulnesse shall make him afrayde on euery side, and shall driue him to his feete.

(Job 18:12) His strength shalbe famine: and destruction shalbe readie at his side.

(Notes Reference) His strength shall be (g) hungerbitten, and destruction [shall be] ready at his side.

(g) That which should nourish him will be consumed by famine.

(Job 18:13) It shall deuoure the inner partes of his skinne, and the first borne of death shall deuoure his strength.

(Notes Reference) It shall devour the strength of his skin: [even] the (h) firstborn of death shall devour his strength.

(h) That is, some strong and violent death will consume his strength: or as the Hebrew word signifies his members or parts.

(Job 18:14) His hope shalbe rooted out of his dwelling, and shall cause him to go to the King of feare.

(Notes Reference) His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and it shall bring him to the (i) king of terrors.

(i) That is, with great fear.

(Job 18:15) Feare shall dwell in his house (because it is not his) and brimstone shalbe scattered vpon his habitation.

(Notes Reference) It shall dwell in his tabernacle, because [it is] none of his: (l) brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation.

(l) Though all the world would favour him, yet God would destroy him and his.

(Job 18:16) His rootes shalbe dryed vp beneath, and aboue shall his branche be cut downe.

(Job 18:17) His remembrance shall perish from the earth, and he shall haue no name in the streete.

(Job 18:18) They shall driue him out of the light vnto darkenesse, and chase him out of the world.

(Notes Reference) He shall be driven from (m) light into darkness, and chased out of the world.

(m) He will fall from prosperity to adversity.

(Job 18:19) Hee shall neither haue sonne nor nephewe among his people, nor any posteritie in his dwellings.

(Job 18:20) The posteritie shalbe astonied at his day, and feare shall come vpon the ancient.

(Notes Reference) They that come after [him] shall be astonied at his (n) day, as they that went before were affrighted.

(n) When they will see what came to him.

(Job 18:21) Surely such are the habitations of the wicked, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God.

(Job 19:1) Bvt Iob answered, and said,

(Job 19:2) Howe long will yee vexe my soule, and torment me with wordes?

(Job 19:3) Ye haue now ten times reproched me, and are not ashamed: ye are impudent toward mee.

(Notes Reference) These (a) ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed [that] ye make yourselves strange to me.

(a) That is, many times, as in (Neh 4:12).

(Job 19:4) And though I had in deede erred, mine errour remaineth with me.

(Notes Reference) And be it indeed [that] I have erred, mine error (b) remaineth with myself.

(b) That is, I myself will be punished for it, or you have not yet consulted it.

(Job 19:5) But in deede if ye will aduance your selues against me, and rebuke me for my reproche,

(Job 19:6) Know nowe, that God hath ouerthrowen me, and hath compassed me with his net.

(Notes Reference) Know now that God hath (c) overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net.

(c) He breaks out again into his passions and declares still that his affliction comes from God though he is not able to feel the cause in himself.

(Job 19:7) Beholde, I crie out of violence, but I haue none answere: I crie, but there is no iudgement.

(Job 19:8) Hee hath hedged vp my way that I cannot passe, and he hath set darkenesse in my paths.

(Notes Reference) He hath fenced up my way that I cannot (d) pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.

(d) Meaning, out of his afflictions.

(Job 19:9) Hee hath spoyled mee of mine honour, and taken the crowne away from mine head.

(Notes Reference) He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the (e) crown [from] my head.

(e) Meaning, his children, and whatever was dear to him in this world.

(Job 19:10) He hath destroyed mee on euery side and I am gone: and he hath remoued mine hope like a tree.

(Notes Reference) He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like (f) a tree.

(f) Which is plucked up, and has no more hope to grow.

(Job 19:11) And he hath kindled his wrath against me, and counteth mee as one of his enemies.

(Job 19:12) His armies came together, and made their way vpon me, and camped about my tabernacle.

(Notes Reference) His (g) troops come together, and raise up their way against me, and encamp round about my tabernacle.

(g) His manifold afflictions.

(Job 19:13) He hath remooued my brethre farre from me, and also mine acquaintance were strangers vnto me.

(Job 19:14) My neighbours haue forsaken me, and my familiars haue forgotten me.

(Job 19:15) They that dwel in mine house, and my maydes tooke me for a stranger: for I was a stranger in their sight.

(Notes Reference) (h) They that dwell in mine house, and my maids, count me for a stranger: I am an alien in their sight.

(h) My household servants by all these losses Job shows that touching the flesh he had great opportunity to be moved.

(Job 19:16) I called my seruant, but he would not answere, though I prayed him with my mouth.

(Job 19:17) My breath was strange vnto my wife, though I prayed her for the childrens sake of mine owne body.

(Notes Reference) My breath is strange to my wife, though I intreated for the children's [sake] of mine (i) own body.

(i) Which were hers and mine.

(Job 19:18) The wicked also despised mee, and when I rose, they spake against me.

(Job 19:19) All my secret friends abhorred me, and they whome I loued, are turned against me.

(Job 19:20) My bone cleaueth to my skinne and to my flesh, and I haue escaped with the skinne of my teeth.

(Notes Reference) My bone (k) cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.

(k) Besides these great losses and most cruel unkindness, he was touched in his own person as follows.

(Job 19:21) Haue pitie vpon me: haue pitie vpon me, (O yee my friendes) for the hande of God hath touched me.

(Notes Reference) Have pity upon me, have (m) pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.

(m) Seeing I have these just causes to complain, condemn me not as a hypocrite, especially you who should comfort me.

(Job 19:22) Why do ye persecute me, as God? and are not satisfied with my flesh?

(Notes Reference) Why do ye persecute me as (n) God, and are not satisfied with my (o) flesh?

(n) Is it not enough that God punishes me, unless you by reproaching increase my sorrow?

(o) To see my body punished, unless you trouble my mind?

(Job 19:23) Oh that my wordes were nowe written! oh that they were written euen in a booke,

(Job 19:24) And grauen with an yron pen in lead, or in stone for euer!

(Notes Reference) That they were graven with (p) an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!

(p) He protests that despite his sore passions his religion is perfect and that he in not a blasphemer as they judged him.

(Job 19:25) For I am sure, that my Redeemer liueth, and he shall stand the last on the earth.

(Notes Reference) For I know [that] my (q) redeemer liveth, and [that] he shall stand at the latter [day] upon the earth:

(q) I do not so justify myself before the world, but I know that I will come before the great judge who will be my deliverer and Saviour.

(Job 19:26) And though after my skin wormes destroy this bodie, yet shall I see God in my flesh.

(Notes Reference) And [though] after my skin [worms] destroy this [body], yet (r) in my flesh shall I see God:

(r) In this Job declares plainly that he had a full hope, that both the soul and body would enjoy the presence of God in the last resurrection.

(Job 19:27) Whome I my selfe shall see, and mine eyes shall beholde, and none other for me, though my reynes are consumed within me.

(Job 19:28) But yee sayde, Why is hee persecuted? And there was a deepe matter in me.

(Notes Reference) But ye should say, Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the (s) matter is found in me?

(s) Though his friends thought that he was only persecuted by God for his sins, yet he declares that there was a deeper consideration that is, the trial of his faith and patience, and so to be an example for others.

(Job 19:29) Be ye afraide of the sworde: for the sworde will be auenged of wickednesse, that yee may knowe that there is a iudgement.

(Notes Reference) Be ye afraid of the sword: for wrath [bringeth] the (t) punishments of the sword, that ye may know [there is] a judgment.

(t) God will be avenged of this harsh judgment by which you condemned me.

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Passage 2: Zephaniah 1

(Zep 1:1) The word of the Lord, which came vnto Zephaniah ye sonne of Cushi, the sonne of Gedaliah, the sonne of Amariah, the sonne of Hizkiah, in the dayes of Iosiah, the sonne of Amon King of Iudah.

(Notes Reference) The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.

The Argument - Seeing the great rebellion of the people, and that there was now no hope of amendment, he gives notice of the great judgment of God, which was at hand, showing that their country would be utterly destroyed, and they would be carried away captives by the Babylonians. Yet for the comfort of the faithful he prophesied of God's vengeance against their enemies, such as the Philistines, Moabites, Assyrians, and others, to assure them that God had a continual care over them. And as the wicked would be punished for their sins and transgressions, so he exhorts the godly to patience, and to trust to find mercy by reason of the free promise of God made to Abraham: and therefore quietly to wait until God shows them the effect of that grace, by which in the end they should be gathered to him, and counted as his people and children.

(Zep 1:2) I will surely destroy all things from off the land, saith the Lord.

(Zep 1:3) I will destroy man and beast: I wil destroy the foules of the heauen, and the fishes of the sea, and ruines shalbe to the wicked, and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the Lord.

(Notes Reference) I will consume man and beast; I will consume the (a) fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD.

(a) Not that God was angry with these dumb creatures, but because man was so wicked for whose cause they were created, God makes them to take part of the punishments with him.

(Zep 1:4) I will also stretch out mine hand vpon Iudah, and vpon all the inhabitants of Ierusalem, and I wil cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, and the name of the Chemarims with ye Priestes,

(Notes Reference) I will also stretch out mine hand upon Judah, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and I will cut off the remnant of Baal from this place, [and] the name of the (b) Chemarims with the priests;

(b) Who were an order of superstitious priests appointed to minister in the service of Baal, and were as his special chaplains; read (2Ki 23:5; Hos 10:5).

(Zep 1:5) And them that worship the hoste of heauen vpon the house tops, and them that worship and sweare by the Lord, and sweare by Malcham,

(Notes Reference) And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship [and] that swear by the LORD, and that swear by (c) Malcham;

(c) He alludes to their idol Molech, which was forbidden; read (Lev 20:2), yet they called him their king, and made him as a god: therefore he here notes those that will both say they worship God, and yet will swear by idols and serve them: which faltering is here condemned, as in (Eze 20:39; 1Ki 18:21; 2Ki 17:33).

(Zep 1:6) And them that are turned backe from the Lord, and those that haue not sought the Lord, nor inquired for him.

(Zep 1:7) Be stil at the presence of the Lord God: for the day of the Lord is at hand: for the Lord hath prepared a sacrifice, and hath sanctified his ghests.

(Zep 1:8) And it shalbe in the day of the Lords sacrifice, that I will visite the princes and the Kings children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparell.

(Notes Reference) And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD'S sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with (d) strange apparel.

(d) Meaning, the courtiers, who did imitate the strange apparel of other nations to win their favour by it, and to appear glorious in the eyes of all others; read (Eze 23:14-15).

(Zep 1:9) In the same day also will I visite all those that dance vpon the threshold so proudly, which fill their masters houses by crueltie and deceite.

(Notes Reference) In the same day also will I punish all those that (e) leap on the threshold, which fill their masters' houses with violence and deceit.

(e) He means the servants of the rulers who invade other men's houses, and rejoice and leap for joy, when they can get any gain to please their master with.

(Zep 1:10) And in that day, saith the Lord, there shall be a noise, and cry from the fishgate, and an howling from the second gate, and a great destruction from the hilles.

(Notes Reference) And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, [that there shall be] the noise of a cry from the (f) fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills.

(f) Signifying that all the corners of the city of Jerusalem would be full of trouble.

(Zep 1:11) Howle ye inhabitants of the lowe place: for the companie of the marchants is destroyed: all they that beare siluer, are cut off.

(Notes Reference) Howl, ye inhabitants of (g) Maktesh, for all the merchant people are cut down; all they that bear silver are cut off.

(g) This is meant of the street of the merchants which was lower than the rest of the place around it.

(Zep 1:12) And at that time will I searche Ierusalem with lightes, and visite the men that are frosen in their dregges, and say in their heartes, The Lord will neither doe good nor doe euill.

(Notes Reference) And it shall come to pass at that time, [that] I will search Jerusalem with (h) candles, and punish the men that are settled (i) on their lees: that say in their heart, The LORD will not do good, neither will he do evil.

(h) So that nothing will escape me.

(i) By their prosperity they are hardened in their wickedness.

(Zep 1:13) Therefore their goods shall be spoyled, and their houses waste: they shall also build houses, but not inhabite them, and they shall plant vineyards, but not drinke the wine thereof.

(Zep 1:14) The great day of the Lord is neere: it is neere, and hasteth greatly, euen the voyce of the day of the Lord: the strong man shall cry there bitterly.

(Notes Reference) The great day of the LORD [is] near, [it is] near, and hasteth greatly, [even] the voice of the day of the LORD: (k) the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.

(k) They that trusted in their own strength and condemned the Prophets of God.

(Zep 1:15) That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and heauinesse, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of obscuritie and darkenesse, a day of cloudes and blackenesse,

(Zep 1:16) A day of the trumpet and alarme against the strong cities, and against the hie towres.

(Zep 1:17) And I will bring distresse vpon men, that they shall walke like blind men, because they haue sinned against the Lord, and their blood shall be powred out as dust, and their flesh as the dongue.

(Zep 1:18) Neither their siluer nor their golde shalbe able to deliuer them in ye day of the Lords wrath, but the whole lande shalbe deuoured by the fire of his ielousie: for hee shall make euen a speedie riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

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Passage 3: 2 Peter 3

(2Pe 3:1) This seconde Epistle I nowe write vnto you, beloued, wherewith I stirre vp, and warne your pure mindes,

(Notes Reference) This (1) second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in [both] which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

(1) The remedy against those wicked enemies, both of true doctrine and holiness, is to be sought for by the continual meditation of the writings of the prophets and apostles.

(2Pe 3:2) To call to remembrance the wordes, which were tolde before of the holy Prophetes, and also the commandement of vs the Apostles of the Lord and Sauiour.

(2Pe 3:3) This first vnderstande, that there shall come in the last dayes, mockers, which wil walke after their lustes,

(Notes Reference) (2) Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days (a) scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

(2) He vouches the second coming of Christ against the Epicureans by name.

(a) Monstrous men, who will seem wise by their contempt of God, and wicked boldness.

(2Pe 3:4) And say, Where is the promise of his comming? for since the fathers died, all things continue alike from the beginning of the creation.

(Notes Reference) (3) And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation.

(3) The reason that these mockers pretend that the course of nature is as it was from the beginning, therefore the world was from everlasting, and shall be forever.

(2Pe 3:5) For this they willingly know not, that the heauens were of olde, and the earth that was of the water and by the water, by the word of God.

(Notes Reference) (4) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the (b) earth standing out of the water and in the water:

(4) He sets against them the creation of heaven and earth by the word of God, which these men are willingly ignorant of.

(b) Which appeared, when the waters were gathered together into one place.

(2Pe 3:6) Wherefore the worlde that then was, perished, ouerflowed with the water.

(Notes Reference) (5) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with (c) water, perished:

(5) Secondly he sets against them the universal flood, which was the destruction of the whole world.

(c) For the waters returning into their former place, this world, that is to say, this beauty of the earth which we see, and all living creatures which live upon the earth, perished.

(2Pe 3:7) But the heauens and earth, which are nowe, are kept by the same word in store, and reserued vnto fire against the day of condemnation, and of the destruction of vngodly men.

(Notes Reference) (6) But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

(6) Thirdly, he pronounces that it will not be harder for God to burn heaven and earth with fire, in that day which is appointed for the destruction of the wicked (which he will also do) than it was for him in times past to create them only with his word, and afterward to overwhelm them with water.

(2Pe 3:8) Dearely beloued, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord, as a thousande yeeres, and a thousande yeeres as one day.

(Notes Reference) (7) But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

(7) The taking away of an objection: in that he seems to desire this judgment for a long time, in respect of us it is true, but not before God, which whom there is no time either long or short.

(2Pe 3:9) The Lord of that promise is not slacke (as some men count slackenesse) but is pacient toward vs, and would haue no man to perish, but would all men to come to repentance.

(Notes Reference) (8) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; (9) but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

(8) The Lord will surely come, because he has promised: and neither sooner nor later than he has promised. (9) A reason why the last day does not come too soon, because God patiently waits until all the elect are brought to repentance, that none of them may perish.

(2Pe 3:10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thiefe in the night, in the which the heauens shall passe away with a noyse, and the elements shall melt with heate, and the earth with the workes that are therein, shalbe burnt vp.

(Notes Reference) (10) But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great (d) noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

(10) A very short description of the last destruction of the world, but in such sort as nothing could be spoken more gravely.

(d) With the violence of a storm.

(2Pe 3:11) Seeing therefore that all these thinges must be dissolued, what maner persons ought ye to be in holy conuersation and godlinesse,

(Notes Reference) (11) [Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation and godliness,

(11) An exhortation to purity of life, setting before us that horrible judgment of God, both to bridle our wantonness, and also to comfort us, so that we are found watching and ready to meet him at his coming.

(2Pe 3:12) Looking for, and hasting vnto the comming of that day of God, by the which the heauens being on fire, shall be dissolued, and the elements shall melt with heate?

(Notes Reference) Looking for and (e) hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

(e) He requires patience from us, yet such patience as is not slothful.

(2Pe 3:13) But wee looke for newe heauens, and a newe earth, according to his promise, wherein dwelleth righteousnesse.

(Notes Reference) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, (f) wherein dwelleth righteousness.

(f) In which heavens.

(2Pe 3:14) Wherefore, beloued, seeing that yee looke for such thinges, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blamelesse.

(Notes Reference) Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in (g) peace, without spot, and blameless.

(g) that you may try to your benefit, how gently and profitable he is.

(2Pe 3:15) And suppose that the long suffering of our Lord is saluation, euen as our beloued brother Paul according to the wisedome giuen vnto him wrote to you,

(Notes Reference) And account [that] the longsuffering of our Lord [is] salvation; (12) even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

(12) Paul's epistles are allowed by the express testimony of Peter.

(2Pe 3:16) As one, that in all his Epistles speaketh of these thinges: among the which some thinges are hard to be vnderstand, which they that are vnlearned and vnstable, wrest, as they do also other Scriptures vnto their owne destruction.

(Notes Reference) As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; (13) in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as [they do] also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

(13) There are some things that are obscure and dark which the ignorant use to overthrow men who are not established, wrestling the testimony of the scripture for their own destruction. But this is the remedy against such deceit, to labour that we may daily more and more grow up and increase in the knowledge of Christ.

(2Pe 3:17) Ye therefore beloued, seeing ye know these thinges before, beware, lest ye be also plucked away with the errour of the wicked, and fall from your owne stedfastnesse.

(2Pe 3:18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ: to him be glory both now and for euermore. Amen.