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 A DRAMATIZATION OF 
 THE BOOK OF JOB 
 
 THE PROBLEM OF HUMAN SUFFERING 
 
 By JAMES S. STEVENS 
 
Dr. George Davis Chase as Job in Prosperity 
 
A DRAMATIZATION 
 
 of 
 
 THE BOOK OF JOB 
 
 The Problem of Human Suffering 
 
 By 
 
 JAMES S. STEVENS 
 
 T>ean of the College of Arts and Sciences 
 University of Maine 
 
 tF 
 
 THE STRATFORD COMPANY, Publishers 
 BOSTON 
 

 <b^:<v'\ 
 
 
 Copyright 1917 
 
 The Stratford Co., Publishers 
 
 Boston 
 
 ■9 
 
 5^ 
 
 ©CU4(37724 
 
 JUL -5 1917 
 
 The Alpine Press, Boston, U. S. A. 
 
^ 
 
 
 Characters 
 
 In order of their appearance 
 
 Herald 
 First Crier 
 Second Crier 
 Job 
 
 The Satan 
 The Lord 
 First Messenger 
 Second Messenger 
 Third Messenger 
 Fourth Messenger 
 Job's Wife 
 
 Eliphaz, the Temanite 
 BiLDAD, the Shuhite 
 ZoPHAR^ the Naamathite 
 Elihu, the Buzite 
 An oriental pageant, appearing in the epilog. 
 
A Dramatization of the Book of Job 
 
 Synopsis 
 
 This synopsis will be of assistance to the audience if 
 printed on a program 
 
 The Herald's Confession of Faith 
 Overture, I Know That My Redeemer Liveth 
 
 Prolog 
 
 Job's prosperity is announced by the Crier 
 Job appears 
 
 Job's integrity questioned by the Satan 
 Job's afflictions announced by Messengers 
 Job's integrity further questioned by the Satan; he is griev- 
 ously afflicted 
 Musical theme, Nevin's Song of Sorrow 
 Job 's wife reproves him for retaining his integrity 
 Arrival of Job 's friends 
 Musical theme, Massenet* s Elegy 
 
 The Curse 
 Job curses the day he was bom 
 
 The Debate 
 Argument between Job and his three friends 
 
 The Interposition of Elihu 
 
 Elihu is silenced by a storm which culminates in a whirlwind 
 Out of the whirlwind speaks the 
 
 Voice of the Lord 
 Job is humbled 
 
 The Epilog 
 
 Job's restored prosperity announced by the Criers, and illus- 
 trated by a Pageant 
 
A Dramatization of the Book of Job 
 
 Preface 
 
 From a literary point of view it is unfortunate that the Book 
 of Job appears in the Bible. There are many who hesitate to 
 study any portion of the scriptures from a literary or critical 
 standpoint. This is doubtless due to a lingering belief in their 
 literal truthfulness and a feeling that it is sacrilegious to devote 
 any study to the scriptures other than a mere reading of the 
 passages. 
 
 On the other hand there seems to exist on the part of many 
 young people a certain reluctance to be known as a student of the 
 Bible. Many college students who would not hesitate to carry a 
 copy of Homer, Aeschylus, or Shakespeare across the campus 
 would be deeply chagrined if they were found with a copy of the 
 Old Testament. It is refreshing, therefore, when one finds on 
 the cover of such a splendid book as Davidson's J oh, the words 
 *'For Schools and Colleges." 
 
 Thomas Carlyle has said, '^ There is nothing written, I think, 
 in the Bible or out of it, of equal literary merit." Any effort 
 which may be made to familiarize young people with such a piece 
 of literature as the Book of Job is worth while. In this drama- 
 tization an attempt has been made to retain the passages which are 
 necessary for a connected narrative and omit those which are not 
 essential to the story. Some difficulty was experienced in pre- 
 serving the homogeneous character of the book after these 
 omissions had been made. A careful reading will, I think, prove 
 that the story is complete and the literary form has not been lost. 
 The production of this dramatization may be undertaken by any 
 church, Sunday-school, young peoples' society, or literary club 
 which contains men and women who are enthusiastic in their 
 admiration for the Book of Job and who are willing to put the 
 requisite work into the preparation. Inasmuch as the music is 
 played behind the scenes it may be suggested that a church or 
 chapel which has an organ behind the pulpit would be well 
 adapted for this production. It is obvious, of course, that its 
 success will depend largely upon the dramatic powers of the 
 members of the cast and the skill of the musicians who play the 
 various selections. 
 
A Dramatization of the Book of Job 
 
 THE BOOK OF JOB 
 
 This book was formerly regarded as the oldest book in the 
 Bible and perhaps the oldest piece of literature which we possess. 
 Recent critics are inclined to give it a much later date and it is 
 now generally assigned to about the seventh century B. C. It is 
 certain that the story of the book was laid in very early 
 patriarchal times, and if the book was written at the time in- 
 dicated it is a wonderful example of a work which is entirely 
 free from anachronisms. No mention is made of the command- 
 ments, the priesthood, the ark of the covenant or any of the laws 
 and regulations so fully elaborated in the Pentateuch. It is as 
 though one should write a philosophical dialog which is supposed 
 to have taken place in the twelfth century and which should be 
 entirely free from the influence of Kant, Fichte, Hegel, Berkeley, 
 William James, or Bernard Shaw. Even Shakespeare failed to do 
 this as readers of Julius Caesar will readily recall. Such state- 
 ments as, **The clock hath stricken three," and *'0 what a time 
 you have chose out, brave Caius, to wear a kerchief," have 
 reference to events which could not well have happened in 
 Caesar's time. 
 
 Mr. John Owen has called the Book of Job one of the five 
 skeptical dramas of history. He includes in this list besides the 
 Book of Job, the Prometheus Bound, Goethe's Faust, Shake- 
 speare's Hamlet, and Calderon's Wonder Working Magician. 
 While there is a certain similarity between the Book of Job and 
 the last two mentioned, the problems of the Faust, Prometheus 
 Bound, and Job are strikingly alike. The opening passages of 
 the Faust are based directly on the Book of Job, and Mephisto- 
 pheles is the Satan considerably modified in character. The most 
 striking resemblance appears between Prometheus Bound and J oh. 
 Their problems are very similar as are the mental perplexities of 
 the heroes of the books. One should read carefully the Prometheus 
 Bound in order to gain an intelligent conception of the Book of 
 Job. A passage which is strikingly similar to a passage in Joh 
 is quoted in the notes. 
 
 The authorship of Joh has been attributed to Job himself, 
 Moses, Solomon, Hezekiah, Baruch, and others. The belief that 
 it is a narrative of historical facts is not entertained by many 
 scholars at the present time. It is quite likely, however, that 
 
A Dramatization of the Book of Job 
 
 there lived in patriarchal times a man who was conspicuous both 
 for his piety and for his prosperity. A sudden series of calami- 
 ties reduced this man to poverty and physical discomfort. So 
 striking were the changes in his condition that his name became 
 a proverb for many generations, and it is likely that around the 
 legends connected with this personage were built up the scenes 
 which are given us in the Book of Job, 
 
 THE PROBLEM OF THE BOOK 
 
 It is generally accepted that the problem of the Book of Job 
 lies in the endeavor to find out why misfortunes exist in the 
 world, and in particular why they fall to the lot of the righteous. 
 What may be called an auxiliary problem is stated in the prolog 
 where Satan asks the question ''Doth Job fear God for nought?'' 
 This is equivalent to asking if there exists in the world any such 
 thing as disinterested virtue. The answer to this question is 
 given us in the prolog, and that part of the book seems to be 
 complete in itself. We see that Job fears God for no selfish 
 reason, and continues to fear Him after the most terrible calami- 
 ties have overtaken him. 
 
 The greater problem with which the main portions of the 
 book are chiefly concerned is attacked from various points of 
 view by the different speakers. To Job the misfortunes of the 
 righteous come from an Omnipotent Being who does not always 
 exhibit perfect justice in his dealings with mankind. To the 
 three friends the misfortunes of Job are evidences that his life 
 is not a blameless one and this point of view is shared by Elihu. 
 The philosophy of the epilog is the weakest part of the book and 
 clearly teaches that great material prosperity eventually follows 
 the proper readjustment of a man's relations to God. 
 
 It is in the Voice of God speaking out of the whirlwind that 
 we get the most rational explanation of the problem of evil. A 
 complete solution of the difficulty is by no means given us but we 
 are told what the doctrine of evolution many years afterwards 
 confirmed, that man is a part of a stupendous scheme which the 
 Infinite is bringing into perfection. There is no more reason for 
 an individual man to complain of his misfortunes and temptations 
 than for an earthworm to complain because a segment happened 
 to be left out in its creation. Job's attention was called to the 
 Infinite power and wisdom of the Almighty, and when he sees this 
 he says no more about his own misfortunes. He repents in dust and 
 
A Dramatization of the Book of Job 
 
 ashes; and this is not for specific sins which he has committed, 
 but it is because he has failed to have the proper conception of 
 the relation between man and his Maker. This is probably the 
 earliest teaching in existence of the stupendous fact that 
 
 '* Nothing walks with aimless feet," 
 but that if we could in any slight measure get the point of view 
 of the Infinite the problems which perplex us now would become 
 perfectly clear. 
 
A Dramatization of the Book of Job 
 
 Stage, Scenes, and Costumes 
 
 STAGE 
 
 The stage settings should be arranged to suggest an oriental 
 country place in patriarchal times. A dark curtain should hang 
 at the sides and back except in the center of the stage there should 
 be a thin blue curtain through which light from behind could 
 readily pass. In front of this blue curtain should be a grotto 
 with a well at the right. At the extreme right of the stage should 
 be an open tent from which Job's wife first appears and into 
 which the messengers go after they have recited their lines. At 
 the left of the grotto, steps should lead to the upper part of the 
 center of the stage and terminate behind the blue curtain. It is by 
 means of these steps that Satan passes from earth to heaven and 
 back to earth again. Heaven is represented in the rear of the 
 brilliantly lighted blue curtain. The steps may also be used by 
 the Herald when during the pageant scene he carries up his 
 incense. 
 
 SCENES 
 
 There is no necessity for changing the scenery at any time 
 during the play, nor is it necessary to have a drop curtain. The 
 music is played in each case behind the scenes and the action of 
 Job when in expressing his great sorrow he throws off his mantle 
 and puts on his emblem of mourning, may be effectively repre- 
 sented before the audience. The pageant which enters from the 
 left and crosses the stage, salutes Job who is in the center of the 
 stage, and passes oil at the right. 
 
 COSTUMES 
 
 Herald: The costume of an oriental shepherd, gray mantle 
 and tunic. He carries a crook. 
 
 Criers: Loose flowing black robes and black head covering. 
 
 Satan : Close fitting red tights ; heavy black mantle ; a black 
 or red cap. 
 
 Joh : Royal purple tunic with white girdle ; gold colored man- 
 tle with white turban. The mantle and turban are removed and 
 replaced by a sackcloth mantle. 
 
10 A Dramatization of the Book of Job 
 
 Job's Wife: Lavender tunic and white mantle; thin white 
 veil. 
 
 Messengers : Short tunics in various colors. 
 
 The Friends: Neutral colored tunics and mantles; white 
 turbans. 
 
 Elihu: Short light blue tunic and gray mantle. 
 
 Pageant: The women wear white tunics and mantles; the 
 men wear various colored tunics and mantles. 
 
 All the cast wear sandals. The one who speaks the words 
 of the Voice of the Lord is always behind the scenes. 
 
 MUSIC 
 
 Where this dramatization has been given a great part of the 
 success has been due to the music. An ideal arrangement would 
 include an organ, cello, and violin. The piano may be readily 
 substituted for the organ and either the cello or violin may be 
 omitted if necessary. There are two passages in the Book of Job 
 which have been used as themes for musical compositions. The 
 first, "1 know that My Redeemer Liveth," is one of the striking 
 pronouncements of the book, and the tune ''Bradford" which is 
 usually used with these words readily lends itself as an overture 
 which will serve to produce in the audience a reverent and recep- 
 tive attitude. Variations of this tune should also be played as an 
 accompaniment when the Voice of the Lord is speaking in the 
 whirlwind. The other passage ''Oh, that I Kiiew where I Might 
 Find Him" is made use of in the oratorio of Elijah. This may be 
 used to good advantage when Job has finished his ' ' Oath of Clear- 
 ing," just before the Crier announces "The words of Job are 
 ended. ' ' 
 
 When Job is smitten with disease and sinks upon a refuse 
 heap in great affliction a musical selection representing profound 
 sorrow should be played. While one should consult his individual 
 judgment in making these selections, it has been found that 
 Nevin's "Song of Sorrow" is admirable here. A little later 
 when Job's three friends come to condole with him they sit in 
 silence for seven days and seven nights. Massenet's wonderful 
 elegy, with organ, violin, and cello would seem to be a most 
 appropriate selection to express this exhibition of sympathetic 
 silence. 
 
A Dramatization of the Book op Job 11 
 
 The greatest difficulty will probably be found in producing 
 the music of the storm when Elihu is speaking. The text in- 
 dicates the various phases of the storm which should be imitated. 
 It would add to the effect if the lights were turned off at this 
 time and electric flashes should appear behind the blue curtain 
 when lightning is suggested. 
 
12 
 
 A Dramatization of the Book of Job 
 
 Pronunciations 
 
 Barachel 
 
 Ba'-rak-el 
 
 Buzite 
 
 Buz'-ite 
 
 Chaldeans 
 
 Kal-de'-ans 
 
 Elihu 
 
 E-li'-hu 
 
 Eliphaz 
 
 El'-i-phaz 
 
 Mazzaroth 
 
 Maz'-za-roth 
 
 Naamathite 
 
 Na "-a-ma-thite ' 
 
 Orion 
 
 O-ri'-on 
 
 Pleiades 
 
 Ple^-a-des 
 
 Sabeans 
 
 Sa-be'-ans 
 
 Temanite 
 
 Te '-man-ite 
 
 Zophar 
 
 Zo'-phar 
 
A Dramatization of the Book of Job 13 
 
 The Drama 
 
 Heeald 
 
 The Herald is dressed as an oriental shepherd. He carries a 
 crook and enters slowly. When he reaches the center of the stage 
 he recites: 
 
 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 
 
 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me 
 beside the still waters. 
 
 He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of 
 righteousness for his name's sake. 
 
 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of 
 death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy 
 staff they comfort me. 
 
 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine 
 enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 
 
 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of 
 my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 
 
 The Herald goes off stage when the overture begins. 
 
 OVERTURE 
 **7 Know that My Eedeemer Liveth" 
 
 PROLOG 
 
 First Crier_, enters left. 
 
 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; 
 and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, 
 and eschewed evil. 
 
 And there were born unto him seven sons and three 
 daughters. 
 
 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three 
 thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred 
 she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the 
 greatest of all the men of the east. 
 
 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one 
 
14 A Dramatization of the Book of Job 
 
 his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to 
 drink with them. 
 
 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 offerings according to the number 
 of them all; for Job said, **It may be that my sons have sinned 
 and cursed God in their hearts. '^ Thus did Job continually. 
 
 Second Crieb^ enters right. 
 
 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present 
 themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. 
 
 Job appears in front. He washes his hands and assumes an 
 attitude of devotion. Satan appears in the rear, observes Job, 
 and ascends to heaven. 
 
 Music in Heaven 
 
 This should be rendered by a mixed quartet or chorus choir 
 without accompaniment. 
 
 Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore thee. 
 Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea; 
 Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee, 
 Which wert and art and evermore shall be. 
 
 Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide thee. 
 Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see; 
 Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee, 
 Perfect in power, in love and purity. 
 
 Heaven should be illuminated just as the music begins. 
 
 The Lord, in heaven. 
 
 Whence comest thou? 
 
 Satan, in heaven. 
 
 From going to and fro in the earth, and walking up and down 
 in it. 
 
 The Lord 
 
 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? 
 
A Dramatization of the Book op Job 15 
 
 Satan 
 
 Doth Job fear God for nought? 
 
 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. 
 
 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath and 
 he will curse thee to thy face. 
 
 The Lord 
 
 Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself 
 put not forth thine hand. 
 
 Satan leaves heaven and comes to the earth, rear of stage. 
 He glances at Job who is in front and hastens off the stage. 
 
 First Messenger, enters left, to Job. 
 
 The oxen were ploughing, and the asses feeding beside them. 
 
 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, 
 they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I 
 only am escaped alone to tell thee. 
 
 Second Messenger, enters left, to Job. 
 
 The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up 
 the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am 
 escaped alone to tell thee. 
 
 Third Messenger_, enters left, to Job. 
 
 The Chaldeans made out three bands, 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. 
 
 Fourth Messenger, enters left, to Job. 
 
 Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in 
 their eldest brother ^s house; 
 
 And, behold there came a great wind from the wilderness 
 and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the 
 young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to 
 tell thee. 
 
16 A Dramatization of the Book of Job 
 
 These messengers speak hurriedly and break in upon one 
 another. When they have delivered their messages they pass to 
 the right of the stage and sit down on the floor under the tent. 
 Job receives their messages with increasing sorrowfulness. When 
 they have departed he rises, rends his mantle, throws dust upon 
 his head, falls down upon the ground, and says : 
 
 Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I 
 return thither; the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; 
 blessed be the name of the Lord. 
 
 First Crier_, enters left. 
 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. 
 
 Second Crier^ enters right. 
 
 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present 
 themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to 
 present himself before the Lord. 
 
 While the Second Crier is speaking Satan appears at the 
 rear of the stage and ascends to heaven. 
 
 The Lord 
 From whence comest thou? 
 
 Satan 
 
 From going to and fro in the earth, and walking up and 
 down in it. 
 
 The Lord 
 
 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 still he holdeth fast his integrity, 
 although thou movedst me against him to destroy him with- 
 out cause. 
 
 Satan 
 
 Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for 
 his life. 
 
A Dramatization of the Book of Job 17 
 
 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his 
 flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 
 
 The Lord 
 
 Behold, he is in thine hand ; but save his life. 
 
 Satan comes down out of heaven and sees Job walking sor- 
 rowfully upon earth. He pierces him with his glance and casts a 
 spell upon him. Job feels the blight of Satan and sinks down 
 upon the ground in terrible agony. 
 
 Music, The Song of Sorrow, by Nevin 
 
 Job's Wife_, enters right. 
 Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die. 
 
 Job 
 
 Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What ? 
 shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not re- 
 ceive evil? 
 
 Job's wife passes off the stage slowly and somewhat scorn- 
 fully to the right. When she reaches the messengers she claps 
 her hands and they rise and hurry away. 
 
 Job seats himself upon a refuse heap. A company of 
 visitors approach from a distance^ left. Of these, three come closer 
 to Job and sit down in silence. 
 
 Music: Massenet's Elegy. The music should continue at 
 length to represent an extended period of time. 
 
 Job 
 
 Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in 
 which it was said, there is a man child conceived. 
 
 Let that day be darkness, let not God regard it from above, 
 neither let the light shine upon it. 
 
 Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for 
 
18 A Dramatization of the Book of Job 
 
 light, but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the day: 
 
 Sorrowfully. 
 
 Why died I not from the womb? 
 
 Why did the knees prevent me? 
 
 For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should 
 have slept; then had I been at rest. 
 
 Where the wicked cease from troubling ; and where the weary 
 are at rest. 
 
 There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of 
 the oppressor. 
 
 The small and great are there; and the servant is free from 
 his master. 
 
 Eliphaz 
 
 If we assay to eonmiune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but 
 who can withhold himself from speaking? 
 
 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast 
 strengthened the weak hands. 
 
 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou 
 hast strengthened the feeble knees. 
 
 But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth 
 thee, and thou art troubled. 
 
 Remember, I pray thee, whoever perished, being innocent? 
 or where were the righteous cut off? 
 
 With awe. 
 
 A thing was secretlj^ brought to me, and mine ear received a 
 little thereof. 
 
 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep 
 falleth on men. 
 
 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones 
 to shake. 
 
 Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh 
 stood up: 
 
 It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an 
 image was before mine eyes, there was silence and I heard a 
 voice, saying. 
 
 Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be 
 more pure than his Maker? 
 
A Dramatization of the Book of Job 19 
 
 Eliphaz relates his vision in a manner to inspire great awe. 
 His manner of speaking now changes somewhat abruptly to sim- 
 ple narrative. 
 
 I have seen the foolish taking root; but suddenly I cursed 
 his habitation. 
 
 His children are far from safety, and they are crushed in 
 the gate, neither is there any to deliver them. 
 
 Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither 
 doth trouble spring out of the ground; 
 
 Yet man is bom unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward. 
 
 I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my 
 cause. 
 
 Job 
 
 Oh that my grief were thoroughly weighed, and my calamity 
 laid in the balances together! 
 
 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; there- 
 fore my words are swallowed up. 
 
 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison 
 whereof drinketh up my spirit; the terrors of God do set them- 
 selves in array against me. 
 
 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass ? or loweth the ox 
 over his fodder? 
 
 What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine 
 end, that I should prolong my life? 
 
 Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth? are not 
 his days also like the days of a hireling? 
 
 As a servant earnestly desireth the shadow, and as a hireling 
 looketh for the reward of his work; 
 
 So am I made to possess months of vanity, and wearisome 
 nights are appointed to me. 
 
 When I lie down, I say. When shall I arise, and the night be 
 gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of 
 the day. 
 
 My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent 
 without hope. 
 
 remember that my life is wind; mine eye shall no more 
 see good. 
 
 The eye of him that hath seen me shall see me no more; 
 thine eyes are upon me, and I am not. 
 
 As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away; so he that 
 goeth down to the grave shall come up no more. 
 
20 A Dramatization of the Book of Job 
 
 He shall return no more to his house, neither shall his place 
 know him any more. 
 
 BiLDAD 
 
 How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall 
 the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind? 
 
 Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert 
 justice ? 
 
 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy 
 supplication to the Almighty. 
 
 If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake 
 for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous. 
 
 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should 
 greatly increase. 
 
 Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will 
 he help the evil doers; 
 
 Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with 
 rejoicing. 
 
 Job 
 
 I know it is so of a truth; but how should man be just 
 with God? 
 
 If he will contend with him, lie cannot answer him one of 
 a thousand. 
 
 Who hath hardened himself against God, and hath prospered ? 
 
 Which removeth the mountains, and they know not; which 
 overturneth them in his anger: 
 
 Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars 
 thereof tremble; 
 
 Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth 
 up the stars : 
 
 Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon 
 the waves of the sea; 
 
 Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the 
 chambers of the south; 
 
 Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and won- 
 ders without number. 
 
 If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands 
 never so clean; 
 
 Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes 
 shall abhor me. 
 
A Dramatization of the Book of Job 21 
 
 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and 
 we should come together in judgment. 
 
 Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his 
 hand upon us both. 
 
 My soul is weary of life; I will leave my complaint upon 
 myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. 
 
 Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that 
 I may take comfort a little. 
 
 Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of 
 darkness and shadow of death; 
 
 A land of darkness as darkness itself; and of the shadow of 
 death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness. 
 
 ZOPHAR 
 
 Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should 
 a man full of talk be justified? 
 
 Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou 
 mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? 
 
 For thou hast said. My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in 
 thine eyes. 
 
 But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; 
 
 And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they 
 are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth 
 of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. 
 
 Impressively. 
 
 Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out 
 the Almighty unto perfection? 
 
 It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than 
 hell; what canst thou know? 
 
 If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let no 
 wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. 
 
 And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday ; thou shalt 
 shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning. 
 
 Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; 
 yea, many shall make suit unto thee. 
 
 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not 
 escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost. 
 
 Job 
 
 No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die 
 with you. 
 
22 A Dramatization of the Book op Job 
 
 But I have understanding as well as you, yea, who knoweth 
 not such things as these? 
 
 I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, 
 and he answereth him; the just upright man is laughed to scorn. 
 
 Vehemently. 
 
 But ye are -forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value. 
 
 Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let 
 come on me what will. 
 
 Behold He may slay me ; I may not hope ; but I will maintain 
 my ways to his face. 
 
 Job*s mood becomes contemplative. 
 
 Man that is bom of a woman is of few days, and full of 
 trouble. 
 
 He Cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down ; he fleeth also 
 as a shadow, and continueth not. 
 
 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will 
 sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. 
 
 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock 
 thereof die in the ground; 
 
 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth 
 boughs like a plant. 
 
 But man dieth, and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the 
 ghost, and where is he ? 
 
 As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and 
 drieth up : 
 
 So man lieth down, and riseth not; till the heavens be no 
 more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. 
 
 Eliphaz 
 
 Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly 
 with the east wind? 
 
 Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches 
 wherewith he can do no good? 
 
 Art thou the first man that was born ? or wast thou made be- 
 fore the hills? 
 
 What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born 
 of a woman, that he should be righteous? 
 
 The wicked man travaileth with pain all his days, and the 
 number of years is hidden to the oppressor. 
 
A Dramatization of the Book of Job 23 
 
 For he stretcheth out his hand against God, and strength- 
 eneth himself against the Almighty. 
 
 Job 
 
 I have heard many such things, miserable comforters are 
 ye all. 
 
 Shall vain words have an end? or what emboldeneth thee 
 that thou answerest? 
 
 I should also speak as ye do; if your soul were in my soul's 
 stead, I could heap up words against you, and shake my head 
 at you. 
 
 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving 
 of my lips should assuage your grief. 
 
 Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged, and though I 
 forbear, what am I eased? 
 
 My face is foul with weeping, and on my eyelids is the 
 shadow of death; 
 
 Not for any injustice in mine hands ; also my prayer is pure. 
 
 Oh that one might plead for a man with God, as a man 
 pleadeth for his neighbor! 
 
 When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence 
 I shall not return. 
 
 But as for you all, do ye return, and come now: for I can- 
 not find one wise man among you. 
 
 If I wait, the grave is mine house; I have made my bed in 
 the darkness. 
 
 I have said to corruption, Thou art my father; to the worm, 
 Thou art my mother, and my sister. 
 
 And where is now my hope? As for my hope, who shall 
 see it? 
 
 They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest 
 together is in the dust. 
 
 BiLDAD 
 
 How long will it be ere ye make an end of words ? Mark, and 
 afterwards we will speak. 
 
 Wherefore are we counted as beasts, and reputed vile in 
 your sight ? 
 
 Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark 
 of his fire shall not shine. 
 
24 A Dramatization of the Book of Job 
 
 The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle 
 drive him to his feet. 
 
 His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his 
 branch be cut off. 
 
 They that come after him shall be astonished at his day, as 
 they that went before were affrighted. 
 
 Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the 
 place of him that knoweth not God. 
 
 Job 
 
 How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with 
 words ? 
 
 These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed 
 that ye make yourselves strange to me. 
 
 And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth 
 with myself. 
 
 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, ye my friends; 
 for the hand of God hath touched me. 
 
 Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with 
 my flesh? 
 
 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were 
 printed in a book ! 
 
 That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the 
 rock forever! 
 
 For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand 
 at the latter day upon the earth. 
 
 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in 
 my flesh shall I see God: 
 
 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, 
 and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. 
 
 ZOPHAR 
 
 Knowest thou not this of old since man was placed upon 
 earth. 
 
 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of 
 the hypocrite but for a moment? 
 
 Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his 
 head reach unto the clouds: 
 
 Yet he shall perish for ever like his own offal; they which 
 have seen him shall say. Where is he? 
 
A Dramatization of the Book of Job 25 
 
 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found; yea, 
 he shall be chased away as a vision of the night. 
 
 All darkness shall he hide in his secret places, a fire not 
 blown shall consume him; it shall go ill with him that is left in 
 his tabernacle. 
 
 This is the portion of a wicked man from God, and the 
 heritage appointed unto him by God. 
 
 Job 
 
 Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations. 
 
 Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken 
 mock on. 
 
 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty 
 in power? 
 
 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their 
 offspring before their eyes. 
 
 Their houses are safe from,' fear, neither is the rod of God 
 upon them. 
 
 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their 
 children dance. 
 
 They take the timbrel and harp and rejoice at the sound of 
 the organ. 
 
 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down 
 to the grave. 
 
 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us ; for we desire 
 not the knowledge of thy ways. 
 
 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what 
 profit should we have, if we pray unto him? 
 
 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those 
 that are high. 
 
 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet. 
 
 And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never 
 eateth with pleasure. 
 
 They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall 
 cover them. 
 
 How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers 
 there remaineth falsehood? 
 
 Eliphaz 
 
 Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be 
 profitable unto himself? 
 
26 A Dramatization of the Book op Job 
 
 Is it any pleasure to the Almiglity, that thou art righteous? 
 or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect ? 
 
 Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniquities infinite? 
 
 For thou hast taken a pledge from thy brother for nought, 
 and stripped the naked of their clothing. 
 
 Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou 
 hast withholden bread from the hungry. 
 
 Thou hast sent widows away empty, and the arms of the 
 fatherless have been broken. 
 
 Therefore snares are round about thee, and sudden fear 
 troubleth thee; 
 
 Or darkness, that thou canst not see; and abundance of 
 waters cover thee. 
 
 If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, thou 
 shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles. 
 
 Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir 
 as the stones of the brooks. 
 
 Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have 
 plenty of silver. 
 
 For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty and 
 shalt lift up thy face unto God. 
 
 Eliphaz should make the list of specific charges count 
 strongly against Joh. 
 
 J0B_, yearningly. 
 
 Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come 
 even to his seat! 
 
 I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with 
 arguments. 
 
 I would know the words which he would answer me, and 
 understand what he would say unto me. 
 
 Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he 
 would put strength in me. 
 
 For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me; and 
 many such things are with him. 
 
 Therefore am I troubled at his presence; when I consix^er, 
 I am afraid of him. 
 
 For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth 
 me: 
 
 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hatb 
 he covered the darkness from my face. 
 
A Dramatization of the Book of Job 27 
 
 BiLDAD^ with little of his former vigor. 
 
 Dominion and fear are with him; he maketh peace in his 
 places. 
 
 Is there any number of his armies? and upon whom doth not 
 his light arise? 
 
 How then can men be justified with God? or how can he be 
 clean that is born of woman? 
 
 Behold even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars 
 are not pure in his sight. 
 
 How much less man, that is a worm? and the son of man, 
 which is a worm? 
 
 Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering. 
 
 He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth 
 the earth upon nothing. 
 
 He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud 
 is not rent under them. 
 
 He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his 
 cloud upon it. 
 
 He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day 
 and night come to an end. 
 
 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his 
 reproof. 
 
 He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understand- 
 ing he smiteth through the proud. 
 
 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath 
 formed the crooked serpent. 
 
 Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is 
 heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand? 
 
 Job 
 
 As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the 
 Almighty, who hath vexed my soul; 
 
 All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is 
 iQ my nostrils. 
 
 My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter 
 deceit. 
 
 God forbid that I should justify you; till I die I will not 
 remove mine integrity from me. 
 
 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my 
 heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. 
 
28 A Dramatization of the Book of Job 
 
 ZOPHAR 
 
 What is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained 
 when God taketh away his soul? 
 
 Will God hear his cry when trouble eometh upon him? 
 
 Will he delight himself in the Almighty? will he always call 
 upon God? 
 
 I will teach you by the hand of God; that which is with the 
 Almighty will I not conceal. 
 
 Behold, all ye yourselves have seen it; why then are ye thus 
 altogether vain ? 
 
 This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heri- 
 tage of the oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty. 
 
 If his children be multiplied, it is for the sword; and his 
 offspring shall not be satisfied with bread. 
 
 Those that remain of him shall be buried in death; and his 
 widows shall not weep. 
 
 Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment 
 as the clay: 
 
 He may prepare it, but the just shall put it on and the 
 innocent shall divide the silver 
 
 [He buildeth his house as a moth, and as a booth that the 
 keeper maketh. 
 
 The rich man shall lie down, but he shall not be gathered; 
 he openeth his eyes, and he is not. 
 
 Terrors take hold on him as waters, a tempest stealeth him 
 away in the night. 
 
 The east wind earrieth him away, and he departeth; and as 
 a storm hurleth him out of his place. 
 
 For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain 
 flee out of his hand. 
 
 Man shall clap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out 
 of his place.] 
 
 Zophar changes his tone from assertion to meditation. 
 
 Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold 
 where they fine it. 
 
 Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the 
 stone. 
 
 He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all per- 
 fection; the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death. 
 
 The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters 
 
A Dramatization of the Book of Job 29 
 
 forgotten of the foot; they are dried up, they are gone away 
 from men. 
 
 As for the earth, out of it cometh bread; and under it is 
 turned up as it were fire. 
 
 The stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it hath 
 dust of gold. 
 
 There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vul- 
 ture 's eye hath not seen : 
 
 The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion 
 passed by it 
 
 [He putteth forth his hand upon the rock; he overturneth 
 the mountains by the roots. 
 
 He cutteth out rivers among the rock ; and his eye seeth every 
 precious thing. 
 
 He bindeth the floods from overflowing; and the thing that 
 is hid bringeth he forth to light.] 
 
 But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place 
 of understanding? 
 
 Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in 
 the land of the living. 
 
 The depth saith. It is not in me; and the sea saith, It is not 
 with me. 
 
 It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed 
 for the price thereof. 
 
 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious 
 onyx, or with the sapphire. 
 
 The gold and the crystal cannot equal it ; and the exchange of 
 it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. 
 
 No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls : for the price 
 of wisdom is above rubies. 
 
 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be 
 valued with pure gold. 
 
 Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of 
 understanding ? 
 
 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close 
 from the fowls of the air. 
 
 Destruction and death say. We have heard the fame thereof 
 with our ears. 
 
 God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the 
 place thereof. 
 
30 A DraMxVtization of the Book of Job 
 
 For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under 
 the whole heaven. 
 
 To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the 
 waters by measure. 
 
 When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the 
 lightning of the thunder : 
 
 Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and 
 searched it out. 
 
 And unto man, he said. Behold, the fear of the Lord, that 
 is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding. 
 
 Job 
 He rises and pronounces impressively the oath of clearing. 
 
 If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted 
 to deceit: 
 
 If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart 
 walked after mine eyes and if any blot hath cleaved to mine 
 hands : 
 
 If I did despise the cause of my manservant or of my maid- 
 servant, when they contended with me : 
 
 If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have 
 caused the eyes of the widow to fail: 
 
 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 hands 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. 
 
 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, or the moon walking in 
 brightness ; 
 
 And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath 
 kissed my hand: 
 
 [If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or 
 lifted up myself when evil found him; 
 
A Dramatization of the Book of Job 31 
 
 If the men of my tabernacle said not, Oh that we had of 
 his flesh! we cannot be satisfied. 
 
 If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine 
 iniquity in my bosom.] 
 
 If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise 
 thereof complain ; 
 
 If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, or have 
 caused the owners thereof to lose their life : 
 
 Let thistles grow instead of wheat and cockle instead of 
 barley. 
 
 Variations of the theme, ^^Oh, that I Knew where I Might 
 Find Him/' from Elijah. 
 
 First Crier, enters left. 
 The words of Job are ended. 
 
 Second Crier 
 
 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was 
 righteous 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, be- 
 cause they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. 
 
 Elihu comes into the inner circle in a hesitating manner. 
 
 Elihu 
 
 I am young, and ye are very old ; wherefore I was afraid, and 
 durst not show 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 Al- 
 mighty giveth them understanding. 
 
 Great men are not always wise; neither do the aged under- 
 stand judgment. 
 
 Therefore I said. Hearken to me; I also will shew mine 
 opinion. 
 
32 A Dramatization of the Book op Job 
 
 Behold, I waited for your words ; I gave ear to your reasons, 
 whilst ye searched out what to say. 
 
 Yea, I attended unto you, and behold, there was none of 
 you that convinced Job, or that answered his words: 
 
 Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom : God thrust- 
 eth him down, not man. 
 
 Addressing Job. 
 
 If thou canst answer me, set thy words 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. 
 
 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 f alleth 
 upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; 
 
 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruc- 
 tion. 
 
 Mark well, Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I 
 will speak 
 
 If thou hast anything to say answer me; speak, for I desire 
 to justify thee. 
 
 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach 
 thee wisdom. 
 
 Job remains silent; Elihu addresses the friends. 
 
 Hear my words, ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye 
 that have knowledge. 
 
 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat. 
 
 Let us choose to us judgment; let us know among ourselves 
 what is good. 
 
 If now thou hast understanding, hear this; hearken to the 
 voice of my words. 
 
 Let men of understanding tell me, and let a wise man heark- 
 en unto me. 
 
 Job hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were 
 without wisdom. 
 
 My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end, because 
 of his answers for wicked men. 
 
A Dramatization op the Book of Job 33 
 
 Suffer me a little and I will shew thee that I have yet 
 to speak on God's behalf. 
 
 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe 
 righteousness to my Maker. 
 
 For truly my words shall not be false; he that is perfect in 
 knowledge is with thee. 
 
 Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any; he is mighty 
 in strength and wisdom. 
 
 He preserveth not the life of the wicked; but giveth right 
 to the poor. 
 
 Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can 
 the number of years be searched out. 
 
 For he maketh small the drops of water; they pour down 
 rain according to the vapour thereof: (Rain) 
 
 Which the clouds do drop and distill upon man abundantly. 
 
 Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or 
 the noise of his tabernacle ? 
 
 Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bot- 
 tom of the sea. 
 
 Bain. 
 
 Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that 
 goeth out of his mouth. 
 
 He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning 
 unto the ends of the earth. (Lightning) 
 
 After it a voice roareth; he thundereth with the voice of 
 his excellency; and he will not stay them when his voice is heard. 
 
 Thunder. 
 
 God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things 
 doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. 
 
 Out of the south cometh the whirlwind; and cold out of the 
 north. 
 
 Loud Wind. 
 
 By the breath of God frost is given; and the breadth of 
 the waters is straitened. 
 
 Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud; he scattereth 
 his bright cloud: 
 
 And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds ; 
 but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them. 
 
34 A Dramatization of the Book of Job 
 
 Fair weather eometh out of the north; with God is terrible 
 majesty. 
 
 Fair Weather. 
 
 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out; it is ex- 
 cellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice; he 
 will not afflict. 
 
 Increasing Storm. 
 
 Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are 
 wise of heart. 
 
 Culmination of storm into a whirlwind^ Elihu recites the 
 last of the passage brokenly and in evident terror. The music 
 reaches a climax and stops suddenly. 
 
 The Lord 
 
 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without know- 
 ledge? Elihu slinks away. 
 
 Addressing Job. 
 
 Gird up thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, 
 and answer thou me. 
 
 While the Lord is speaking soft music from "I Know that 
 My Redeemer Liveth*' should be played. 
 
 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? 
 declare, if thou hast understanding. 
 
 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest ? or who 
 hath stretched the line upon it? 
 
 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or, who 
 laid the corner stone thereof? 
 
 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of 
 God shouted for joy? 
 
 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as 
 if it had issued out of the womb? 
 
 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick dark- 
 ness a swaddling band for it. 
 
 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and 
 doors. 
 
A Dramatization of the Book of Job 35 
 
 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further; and 
 here shall thy proud waves be stayed? 
 
 Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days: and 
 caused the dayspring to know his place : 
 
 Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of 
 dew? 
 
 Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of 
 heaven, who hath gendered it? 
 
 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of the Pleiades, or loose 
 the bands of Orion? 
 
 Canst thjou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst 
 thou guide Arcturus with his sons? 
 
 Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his 
 neck with thunder? 
 
 Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of 
 his nostrils is terrible. 
 
 He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength; he 
 goeth on to meet the armed men. 
 
 He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither tumeth 
 he back from the sward. 
 
 The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and 
 the shield. 
 
 He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage; neither 
 believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. 
 
 He saith among the trumpets. Ha, ha! and he smelleth the 
 battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting. 
 
 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he 
 that reproveth God, let him answer it. 
 
 Job 
 
 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine 
 hand upon my mouth. 
 
 Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice, but 
 I will proceed no further. 
 
 The Lord 
 
 Gird up thy loins like a man: I will demand of thee, and 
 declare thou unto me. 
 
 Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn 
 me, that thou mayest be righteous? 
 
36 A Dramatization of the Book of Job 
 
 Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a 
 voice like him? 
 
 Canst thou draw out leviathan with a hook? or his tongue 
 with a cord which thou lettest down? 
 
 Canst thou put a hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through 
 with a thorn? 
 
 Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak 
 soft words unto thee? 
 
 None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to 
 stand before me? 
 
 Job 
 
 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought 
 can be withholden from thee. 
 
 The Lord 
 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? 
 
 Job 
 
 I uttered that I understood not ; things too wonderful for me, 
 which I knew not. 
 
 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak. 
 
 The Lord^ faintly, 
 I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 
 
 Job 
 
 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. 
 
 First Crier, enters left. 
 
 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 
 
A Dramatization op the Book of Job 37 
 
 accept; lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have 
 not spoken of me the thing which is 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. 
 
 And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed 
 for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had 
 before. 
 
 At this point a pageant representing Job's brethren and 
 friends passes before him and makes obeisance. Job's wife, 
 one of the pageant, covers Job with the gold colored mantl&\ 
 which he had discarded. The Herald slowly ascends the steps 
 towards heaven bearing a vessel of smoking incense. 
 
 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 com- 
 forted 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 for 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 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 a hundred and forty years, and saw 
 his sons, and his sons ' sons, even four generations. 
 
 So Job died, being old and full of days. 
 
 The End 
 
38 A Dramatization of the Book of Job 
 
 Notes 
 
 THE SATAN 
 
 The character of Satan as interpreted by modern biblical 
 scholars differs radically from that of the evil spirit of the 
 Persians or the personal Devil of the Middle Ages. He is 
 supposed to be one of the sons of God whose particular mission 
 is to test the characters of men and women upon the earth in 
 order to discover whether there may not exist certain hidden 
 blemishes. For dramatic purposes, however, it is better to con- 
 sider Satan to possess a spirit of distrust of mankind amounting 
 almost to contempt. His lines should be repeated with sneering 
 insinuation. In this respect the character should not differ ma- 
 terially from Mephistopheles in the Faust. 
 
 JOB'S WIFE 
 
 Job 's wife speaks but one line but this line contains dramatic 
 possibilities of a high order. Her words represent the only real 
 temptation that comes to Job outside of his inner consciousness, 
 unless we regard the discourses of the three friends as containing a 
 temptation to give an explanation of Job's afflictions which he 
 does not honestly entertain. 
 
 ELIPHAZ 
 
 Eliphaz is the oldest, wisest, and most courteous of the three 
 friends. His first speech should be spoken with great calmness 
 and dignity. He is fully persuaded that the sufferings of the 
 world result from sins which have been committed. He is some- 
 thing of a mystic and defends his position in his speech by re- 
 citing an account of a vision which he has had sometime in his 
 past life. Great pains should be taken to repeat these lines in a 
 manner to inspire awe on the part of the listeners. 
 
 BILDAD 
 
 Bildad is younger and less courteous than Eliphaz. He 
 agrees with him, however, as does Zophar also, in attributing 
 Job 's sufferings to iniquities of which he has been guilty. Bildad 
 
A Dramatization of the Book of Job 39 
 
 is a traditionalist and bases much of his argument upon the fact 
 that the fathers held the opinion that he is expressing. 
 
 ZOPHAR 
 
 Zophar is the most practical and worldly-wise of the three 
 friends. He has a scheme of human activity which is very simple. 
 Jf Job would put away his evil he would surely receive great 
 prosperity and undimmed happiness for the remainder of his 
 days. Zophar is impetuous and resents any expression of opinion 
 which does not coincide with his own. His words did more to 
 stir up Job to anger than any which had been spoken before. 
 
 TRANSLATION 
 
 The Authorized Version is followed throughout on account 
 of its great beauty and dignity. The oft quoted expression of 
 trust, Though He slay me yet will I trust in Him, has been 
 changed in the text because the translation given is thought to 
 be a better one, and because it certainly better fits in with 
 Job's particular frame of mind at this time. 
 
 PROMETHEUS VINCTUS 
 
 If one desires to get as true an insight as possible into Job's 
 mental attitude it is suggested that the Prometheus Bound by 
 Aeschylus be read. There are many passages where Prometheus 
 expresses sentiments similar to those uttered by Job. Compare 
 the following with Job XVI — 4: 
 
 'Tis easy for the man whose foot is placed 
 
 Outside calamities, to urge advice 
 
 On him who struggles in their toils. 
 
 BILDAD'S PICTURE OF A WICKED MAN 
 
 It is not difficult to see that Bildad is painting a striking 
 picture of a wicked man and depicting the calamities which shall 
 surely befall him. It is an easy inference that he has Job in 
 mind in all this and this idea should govern the reading of the 
 lines. 
 
 ZOPHAR'S PICTURE 
 
 Zophar repeats the line of argument used by Bildad and 
 makes it just as obvious that he is referring to Job. 
 
40 A Dramatization of the Book of Job 
 
 ELIPHAZ'S SPECIFIC CHARGES 
 
 Eliphaz who began his round of speeches with a courteous 
 exaltation to repentance and followed this in his second speech 
 with a picture of the fate which follows the wicked man, here 
 charges Job with specific sins which he has committed. His 
 natural kindly temperament causes him at the end of his catalog 
 of sins to hold up to Job the promise that if he will return to the 
 Almighty he shall lay up gold as dust and have plenty of silver. 
 This idea of a personal reward represented the highest ethical 
 conception of the three friends. 
 
 BILDAD'S LAST SPEECH AND THE MISSING SPEECH 
 
 OFZOPHAR 
 
 The last speech of Bildad in the authorized version is a 
 very pointless one. Many consider that this speech and the fact 
 that Zophar failed to reply the third time indicate a confession 
 of defeat on the part of the Friends. There are others who be- 
 lieve that by some disarrangement of the manuscript part of the 
 speech uttered by Job should have been given to Zophar. It is 
 a fact that the sentiments expressed in this speech are at variance 
 with those expressed by Job in his former utterances. Whereas he 
 had steadfastly maintained that it was not uncommon to observe 
 the prosperity of the wicked, he now comes out in direct oppo- 
 sition to this doctrine and tells us that there is no prosperity 
 for one who transgresses the laws of God. Without entering into 
 the merits of the case it seems best for dramatic purposes to 
 follow the arrangement used by Professor Richard G. Moulton, 
 of the University of Chicago, and extend Bildad 's last speech 
 by using material attributed to Job, and to give to Zophar the 
 lines which deal with the punishment of the wicked and the chapter 
 on wisdom, which would be much more appropriate for Zophar 
 than for Job in this place. 
 
 ELIHU 
 
 Elihu should be in strong contrast to the three Friends and 
 should show both by his manner and costume that he is a youth. 
 The fact that he takes over fifty verses to apologize for his speak- 
 ing at all gives a clue to his character. His point of view differs 
 but little from that of the Friends, but as he proceeds he develops 
 a sort of self-assertiveness which is striking. He appe^ils for 
 
A Dramatization of the Book op Job 41 
 
 recognition in turn to Job and the Friends, and when these fail to 
 recognise him he turns to the heavens which seem to answer him 
 by a series of meteorological manifestations which strike terror 
 into his heart. Although the narrative does not make it clear 
 that the storm which Elihu describes actually culminates in the 
 whirlwind out of which the Voice of God speaks, yet it is very 
 natural so to regard it, and for dramatic purposes the piano 
 accompaniment should express the various phases of the storm 
 as recited by Elihu. 
 
 THE STORM CULMINATES: THE VOICE OUT OF THE 
 
 WHIRLWIND 
 
 When the storm has culminated into a whirlwind Elihu 
 should express the profoundest terror and the music should stop 
 abruptly. The first question asked by the Lord out of the 
 whirlwind is addressed to Elihu. Then the Voice turns to Job 
 and beginning with the series of question which are asked Job, 
 a soft musical accompaniment should be played based on ' * Z Know 
 that My Redeemer Liveth.'^ 
 
 THE LENGTH OF THE PLAY 
 
 To give the play in the form in which it appears in this 
 book requires about one and three-quarters hours. If the 
 audience is made up of those who are interested in the dis- 
 cussions and are able to follow the various phases of thought 
 from beginning to end it is preferable to produce the play in full. 
 If, however, the audience is made up quite largely of people to 
 whom the long discussions do not so favorably appeal, it may 
 be well to cut down the argumentative portions to some extent. 
 There are certain sections which are enclosed in square brackets 
 which may be eliminated if it is thought best. This would 
 probably save about fifteen minutes in the time of presentation.