Bible in a Year.

On the twenty-first day, we see integrity tested and rewarded. Genesis 39-40 recounts Joseph's temptation with Potiphar's wife, his unjust imprisonment, and God's gift of interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker. Job 31-32 presents Job's final, passionate defense of his innocence, followed by the entry of Elihu, a young observer who finally speaks out in the debate. Proverbs 3:33-35 contrasts the fate of the wicked with the righteous, affirming that the Lord blesses the dwelling of the righteous and gives favor to the humble.

Chapter 39

1. And Joseph was brought into Egypt, and Putiphar an eunuch of Pharao, chief captain of the army, an Egyptian, bought him of the Ismaelites, by whom he was brought.

2. And the Lord was with him, and he was a prosperous man in all things: and he dwelt in his master's house,

3. Who knew very well that the Lord was with him, and made all that he did to prosper in his hand.

4. And Joseph found favour in the sight of his master, and ministered to him: and being set over all by him, he governed the house committed to him, and all things that were delivered to him:

5. And the Lord blessed the house of the Egyptian for Joseph's sake, and multiplied all his substance, both at home, and in the fields.

7. h And after many days his mistress 'cast her eyes on Joseph, and said: Lie with me.

8. Neither knew he any other thing, but the bread which he ate. And Joseph was of a beautiful countenance, and comely to behold.

8. But he, in no wise consenting to that wicked act, said to her: Behold, my master hath delivered all things to me, and knoweth not what he hath in his own house:

9. Neither is there any thing which is hot in my power, or that he hath not delivered to me, but thee, who art his wife : how then can I do this wicked thing, and I sin against my God?

10. With such words as these day by day, both the woman was importunate with the young man, and he refused the adultery.

11. Now it happened on it certain day, that Joseph went into the house, and was doing some business without any, man with him:

12. And she catching the skirt of his garment, said: Lie with me. But he leaving the garment in her hand, fled, and went out.

13. And when the woman saw the garment in her hands, and herself disregarded,

14. She called to her the men of her house, and said to them: See, he hath brought in a Hebrew, to abuse us: he came in to me, to lie with me : and when I cried out,

16. And he heard my voice, he left the garment that I held, and got him out.

16. For a proof therefore of her fidelity, she kept the garment, and shewed it to her husband when he returned home:

17. And said: The Hebrew servant, whom thou best brought, came to me to abuse me.

18. And when he heard me cry, he left the garment which I held, and fled out.

19. His master hearing these things, and giving too much credit to his wife's words, was very angry.

20. And cast Joseph into the prison, where the king's prisoners were kept, and he was there shut up.

21. But the Lord was with Joseph and having mercy upon him gave him favour in the sight of the chief keeper of the prison:

22. Who delivered into his hand all the prisoners that were kept in custody: and whatsoever was done was under him.

23. Neither did he himself know any thing, having committed all things to him: for the Lord was with him, and made all that he did to prosper.

Chapter 40

1. After this, it came to pass, that two eunuchs, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, offended their lord.

2. And Pharao being angry with them (now the one was chief butler, the other chief baker)

3. He sent them to the prison of the commander of the soldiers, in which Joseph also was prisoner,

4. But the keeper of the prison delivered them to Joseph, and he served them. Some little time passed, and they were kept in custody.

5. And they both dreamed a dream the same night, according to the interpretation agreeing to themselves:

6. And when Joseph was come in to them in the morning, and saw them sad,

7. He asked them, saying: Why is your oountenance sadder to day than usual?

8. They answered: We have dreamed a dream, and there is nobody to interpret it to us. And Joseph said to them: Both not interpretation belong to God? Tell me what you have dreamed. g The chief butler first told his dream: I saw before me a vine,

10. On which were three branches, which by little and little sent out buds, and after the blossoms brought forth ripe grapes :

11. And the cup of Pharao was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into the cup which I held, and I gave the cup to Pharao.

12. Joseph answered: This is the interpretation of the dream: The three branches are yet three days:

13. After which Pharao will remember thy service, and will restore thee to thy former place: and thou shah present him the cup according to thy office, as before thou wast wont to do.

14. Only remember me, when it shall be well with thee, and do me this kindness: to put Pharao in mind to take me out of this prison:

16. For I was stolen away out of the land I of the Hebrews, and here without any fault was cast into the dungeon.

16. The chief baker seeing that he had wisely interpreted the dream, said: I also dreamed a dream, That I bed three baskets of meal upon my heed:

17. And that in one basket which was uppermost, I carried all meats that are made by the art of baking, and that the birds ate out of it.

18. Joseph answered: This is the interpretation of the dream: The three baskets are yet three days:

19. After which Pharao will take thy hand from thee, and hang thee on a cross, and the birds shall tear thy flesh.

20. The third day after this was the birthday of Pharao: and he made a. great feast for his servants, and at the banquet remembered the chief butler, and the chief baker.

21. And he restored the one to his place to present him the cup:

22. The other he hanged on a gibbet, that the truth of the interpreter might be shewn.

23. But the chief butler, when things prospered with him, forgot his interpreter.

Chapter 31

1. I made a covenant with my eyes, that I would not so much as think upon a virgin.

2. For what part should God from above have in me, and what inheritance the Almighty from on high?

3. Is not destruction to the wicked, and aversion to them that work iniquity?

4. Doth not he consider my ways, and number all my steps?

5. If I have walked in vanity, and my foot hath made haste to deceit:

6. Let him weigh me in a just balance, and let God know my simplicity.

7. If my step hath turned out of the way, and if my heart hath followed my eyes, and if a spot hath cleaved to my hands:

8. Then let me sow and let another eat: and let my offspring be rooted out.

9. If my heart hath been deceived upon a woman, and if I have laid wait at my friend's door:

10. Let my wife be the harlot of another, and let other men lie with her.

11. For this is a heinous crime, and a most grievous iniquity.

12. It is a fire that devoureth even to destruction, and rooteth up all things that spring.

13. If I have despised to abide judgment with my manservant, or my maidservant, when they had any controversy against me:

14. For what shall I do when God shall rise to judge? and when he shall examine, what shall I answer him?

15. Did not he that made me in the womb make him also: and did not one and the same form me in the womb?

16. If I have denied to the poor what they desired, and have made the eyes of the widow wait:

17. If I have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof:

18. (For from my infancy mercy grew up with me: and it came out with me from my mother's womb :)

19. If I have despised him that was perishing for want of clothing, and the poor man that had no covering:

20. If his sides have not blessed me, and if he were not warmed with the fleece of my sheep:

21. If I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, even when I saw myself superior in the gate:

22. Let my shoulder fall from its joint, and let my arm with its bones be broken.

23. For I have always feared God as waves swelling over me, and his weight I was not able to bear.

24. If I have thought gold my strength, and have said to fine gold: My confidence:

25. If I have rejoiced over my great riches, and because my hand had gotten much.

26. If I beheld the sun when it shined, and the moon going in brightness:

27. And my heart in secret hath rejoiced, and I have kissed my hand with my mouth:

28. Which is a very great iniquity, and a denial against the most high God.

29. If I have been glad at the downfall of him that hated me, and have rejoiced that evil had found him.

30. For I have not given my mouth to sin, by wishing a curse to his soul.

31. If the men of my tabernacle have not said: Who will give us of his flesh that we may be filled?

32. The stranger did not stay without, my door was open to the traveller.

33. If as a man I have hid my sin, and have concealed my iniquity in my bosom.

34. If I have been afraid at a very great multitude, and the contempt of kinsmen hath terrified me: and I have not rather held my peace, and not gone out of the door.

35. Who would grant me a hearer, that the Almighty may hear my desire; and that he himself that judgeth would write a book,

36. That I may carry it on my shoulder, and put it about me as a crown?

37. At every step of mine I would pronounce it, and offer it as to a prince.

38. If my land cry against me, and with it the furrows thereof mourn:

39. If I have eaten the fruits thereof without money, and have afflicted the soul of the tillers thereof:

40. Let thistles grow up to me instead of wheat, and thorns instead of barley.

Chapter 32

1. So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he seemed just to himself.

2. And Eliu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram, was angry and was moved to indignation : now he was angry against Job, because he said he was just before God.

3. And he was angry with his friends because they had not found a reasonable answer, but only had condemned Job.

4. So Eliu waited while Job was speaking, because they were his elders that were speaking.

5. But when he saw that the three were not able to answer, he was exceedingly angry.

6. Then Eliu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said : I am younger in days, and you are more ancient; therefore hanging down my head, I was afraid to shew you my opinion.

7. For I hoped that greater age would speak, and that a multitude of years would teach wisdom.

8. But, as I see, there is a spirit in men, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding.

9. They that are aged are not the wise men, neither do the ancients understand judgment.

10. Therefore I will speak : Hearken to me, I also will shew you my wisdom.

11. For I have waited for your words, I have given ear to your wisdom, as long as you were disputing in words.

12. And as long as I thought you said some thing, I considered : but, as I see, there is none of you that can convince Job, and answer his words.

13. Lest you should say : We have found wisdom, God hath cast him down, not man.

14. He hath spoken nothing to me, and I will not answer him according to your words.

15. They were afraid, and answered no more, and they left off speaking.

16. Therefore because I have waited, and they have not spoken : they stood, and answered no more :

17. I also will answer my part, and will shew my knowledge.

18. Behold, my belly is as new wine which wanteth vent, which bursteth the new vessels.

20. I will speak and take breath a little : I will open my lips, and will answer.

21. I will not accept the person of man, and I will not level God with man.

22. For I know not how long I shall continue, and whether after a while my Maker may take me away.

33. Want is from the Lord in the house of the wicked: but the habitations of the just shall be blessed.

34. He shall scorn the scorners, and to the meek he will give grace.

35. The wise shall possess glory: the promotion of fools is disgrace.