1. |
Then Job answered and said, |
2. |
Of a truth I know that it is so: But how can man be just with God? |
3. |
If he be pleased to contend with him, He cannot answer him one of a thousand. |
4. |
`He is' wise in heart, and mighty in strength: Who hath hardened himself against him, and prospered?- |
5. |
`Him' that removeth the mountains, and they know it not, When he overturneth them in his anger; |
6. |
That shaketh the earth out of its place, And the pillars thereof tremble; |
7. |
That commandeth the sun, and it riseth not, And sealeth up the stars; |
8. |
That alone stretcheth out the heavens, And treadeth upon the waves of the sea; |
9. |
That maketh the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, And the chambers of the south; |
10. |
That doeth great things past finding out, Yea, marvellous things without number. |
11. |
Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: He passeth on also, but I perceive him not. |
12. |
Behold, he seizeth `the prey', who can hinder him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou? |
13. |
God will not withdraw his anger; The helpers of Rahab do stoop under him. |
14. |
How much less shall I answer him, And choose out my words `to reason' 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 hearkened unto my voice. |
17. |
For he breaketh me with a tempest, And multiplieth my wounds without cause. |
18. |
He will not suffer me to take my breath, But filleth me with bitterness. |
19. |
If `we speak' of strength, lo, `he is' mighty! And if of justice, Who, `saith he', will summon me? |
20. |
Though I be righteous, mine own mouth shall condemn me: Though I be perfect, it shall prove me perverse. |
21. |
I am perfect; I regard not myself; I despise my life. |
22. |
It is all one; therefore I say, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked. |
23. |
If the scourge slay suddenly, He will mock at the trial of the innocent. |
24. |
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He covereth the faces of the judges thereof: If `it be' not `he', who then is it? |
25. |
Now my days are swifter than a post: They flee away, they see no good, |
26. |
They are passed away as the swift ships; As the eagle that swoopeth on the prey. |
27. |
If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will put off my `sad' countenance, and be of good cheer; |
28. |
I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that 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 water, And make my hands never so clean; |
31. |
Yet wilt thou plunge me in the ditch, And mine 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 betwixt us, That might lay his hand upon us both. |
34. |
Let him take his rod away from me, And let not his terror make me afraid: |
35. |
Then would I speak, and not fear him; For I am not so in myself. |