[1] Then Job answered: [2] "Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man
be just before God? [3] If one wished to contend with him, one could not
answer him once in a thousand times. [4] He is wise in heart, and mighty in
strength --who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded?-- [5] he
who removes mountains, and they know it not, when he overturns them in his
anger; [6] who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble;
[7] who commands the sun, and it does not rise; who seals up the stars; [8]
who alone stretched out the heavens, and trampled the waves of the sea; [9]
who made the Bear and Orion, the Plei'ades and the chambers of the south;
[10] who does great things beyond understanding, and marvelous things
without number. [11] Lo, he passes by me, and I see him not; he moves on,
but I do not perceive him. [12] Behold, he snatches away; who can hinder
him? who will say to him, `u'? [13] "God will not turn back his anger;
beneath him bowed the helpers of Rahab. [14] How then can I answer him,
choosing my words with him? [15] Though I am innocent, I cannot answer him;
I must appeal for mercy to my accuser. [16] If I summoned him and he
answered me, I would not believe that he was listening to my voice. [17]
For he crushes me with a tempest, and multiplies my wounds without cause;
[18] he will not let me get my breath, but fills me with bitterness. [19]
If it is a contest of strength, behold him! If it is a matter of justice,
who can summon him? [20] Though I am innocent, my own mouth would condemn
me; though I am blameless, he would prove me perverse. [21] I am blameless;
I regard not myself; I loathe my life. [22] It is all one; therefore I say,
he destroys both the blameless and the wicked. [23] When disaster brings
sudden death, he mocks at the calamity of the innocent. [24] The earth is
given into the hand of the wicked; he covers the faces of its judges-- if
it is not he, who then is it? [25] "My days are swifter than a runner; they
flee away, they see no good. [26] They go by like skiffs of reed, like an
eagle swooping on the prey. [27] If I say, ` I say, "I will forget my
complaint, I will put off my sad countenance, and be of good cheer,' [28] I
become afraid of all my suffering, for I know thou wilt not hold me
innocent. [29] I shall be condemned; why then do I labor in vain? [30] If I
wash myself with snow, and cleanse my hands with lye, [31] yet thou wilt
plunge me into a pit, and my own clothes will abhor me. [32] For he is not
a man, as I am, that I might answer him, that we should come to trial
together. [33] There is no umpire between us, who might lay his hand upon
us both. [34] Let him take his rod away from me, and let not dread of him
terrify me. [35] Then I would speak without fear of him, for I am not so in
myself.
