[1] Then Job answered, [2] "Truly I know that it is so, But how can man
be just with God? [3] If he is pleased to contend with him, He can`t
answer him one time in a thousand. [4] God who is wise in heart, and mighty
in strength: Who has hardened himself against him, and prospered? [5]
Who removes the mountains, and they don`t know it, When he overturns
them in his anger [6] Who shakes the earth out of its place; The pillars
of it tremble; [7] Who commands the sun, and it doesn`t rise, And seals
up the stars; [8] Who alone stretches out the heavens, Treads on the
waves of the sea; [9] Who makes the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, And
the chambers of the south; [10] Who does great things past finding out,
Yes, marvelous things without number. [11] Behold, he goes by me, and I
don`t see him. He passes on also, but I don`t perceive him. [12] Behold,
he snatches away; who can hinder him? Who will ask him, `What are you
doing?` [13] "God will not withdraw his anger; The helpers of Rahab
stoop under him. [14] How much less shall I answer him, Choose my words
to argue with him? [15] Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not
answer. I would make supplication to my judge. [16] If I had called, and
he had answered me, Yet would I not believe that he listened to my
voice. [17] For he breaks me with a tempest, Multiplies my wounds
without cause. [18] He will not allow me to take my breath, But fills me
with bitterness. [19] If it is a matter of strength, behold, he is mighty!
If of justice, `Who,` says he, `will summon me?` [20] Though I am
righteous, my own mouth shall condemn me. Though I am blameless, it
shall prove me perverse. [21] I am blameless. I don`t regard myself. I
despise my life. [22] "It is all the same. Therefore I say, He destroys
the blameless and the wicked. [23] If the scourge kills suddenly, He
will mock at the trial of the innocent. [24] The earth is given into the
hand of the wicked. He covers the faces of the judges of it. If not
he, then who is it? [25] "Now my days are swifter than a runner. They
flee away, they see no good, [26] They have passed away as the swift ships,
As the eagle that swoops on the prey. [27] If I say, `I will forget my
complaint, I will put off my sad face, and cheer up;` [28] I am afraid
of all my sorrows, I know that you will 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 you will plunge me in
the ditch. My own clothes shall abhor me. [32] For he is not a man, as I
am, that I should answer him, That we should come together in judgment.
[33] There is no umpire between us, That might lay his hand on us both.
[34] Let him take his rod away from me, Let his terror not make me
afraid: [35] Then I would speak, and not fear him, For I am not so in
myself.
