1 T hen Job answered and said,

2 Y es, I know it is true. But how can mortal man be right before God?

3 I f one should want to contend with Him, he cannot answer one in a thousand.

4 i s wise in heart and mighty in strength; who has hardened himself against Him and prospered or even been safe?

5 W ho removes the mountains, and they know it not when He overturns them in His anger;

6 W ho shakes the earth out of its place, and the pillars of it tremble;

7 W ho commands the sun, and it rises not; Who seals up the stars;

8 W ho alone stretches out the heavens and treads upon the waves and high places of the sea;

9 W ho made the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the spaces of the south;

10 W ho does great things past finding out, yes, marvelous things without number.

11 B ehold, He goes by me, and I see Him not; He passes on also, but I perceive Him not.

12 B ehold, He snatches away; who can hinder or turn Him back? Who will say to Him, What are You doing?

13 G od will not withdraw His anger; the helpers of Rahab bow under Him.

14 H ow much less shall I answer Him, choosing out my words to reason with Him

15 W hom, though I were righteous (upright and innocent) yet I could not answer? I must appeal for mercy to my Opponent and Judge.

16 I f I called and He answered me, yet would I not believe that He listened to my voice.

17 F or He overwhelms and breaks me with a tempest and multiplies my wounds without cause.

18 H e will not allow me to catch my breath, but fills me with bitterness.

19 I f I speak of strength, behold, He is mighty! And if of justice, Who, says He, will summon Me?

20 T hough I am innocent and in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; though I am blameless, He would prove me perverse.

21 T hough I am blameless, I regard not myself; I despise my life.

22 I t is all one; therefore I say, God destroys the blameless and the wicked.

23 W hen scourge slays suddenly, He mocks at the calamity and trial of the innocent.

24 T he earth is given into the hands of the wicked; He covers the faces of its judges. If it is not, who then is it ?

25 N ow my days are swifter than a runner; they flee away, they see no good.

26 T hey are passed away like the swift rowboats made of reeds, or like the eagle that swoops down on the prey.

27 I f I say, I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad countenance, and be of good cheer and brighten up,

28 I become afraid of all my pains and sorrows, for I know You will not pronounce me innocent.

29 I shall be held guilty and be condemned; why then should I labor in vain ?

30 I f I wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye,

31 Y et You will plunge me into the ditch, and my own clothes will abhor me.

32 F or is not a man, as I am, that I should answer Him, that we should come together in court.

33 T here is no umpire between us, who might lay his hand upon us both,

34 T hat He might take His rod away from me, and that the fear of Him might not terrify me.

35 w ould I speak and not fear Him, but I am not so in myself.