1 T hen Job answered and said,

Then Job answered,

2 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?

“Yes, I know this is true. But how can a man be right and good before God?

3 I f he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.

If one wished to argue with Him, he would not be able to answer one out of a thousand of His questions.

4 H e is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?

He is wise in heart and powerful in strength. Who has ever stood against Him without being hurt?

5 W hich removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger.

It is He Who takes away the mountains without their knowing it, when He destroys them in His anger.

6 W hich shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.

He shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars shake.

7 W hich commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.

He tells the sun not to shine, and He keeps the stars from shining.

8 W hich alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.

He alone spreads out the heavens and walks upon the waves of the sea.

9 W hich maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.

He makes the Bear, Orion and the Pleiades and the stars of the south.

10 W hich doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.

He does things too great for us to understand, and more wonderful works than we can number.

11 L o, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.

When He passes by me, I do not see Him. When He goes by me, I do not know Him.

12 B ehold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?

If He takes away, who can stop Him? Who could say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’

13 I f God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.

“God will not stop His anger. The helpers of Rahab bow under Him.

14 H ow much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?

How then can I answer Him, and choose the right words to speak with Him?

15 W hom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.

Even if I am right, I cannot answer Him. I must beg Him who is against me to have pity.

16 I f I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.

If I called and He answered me, I could not believe that He was listening to my voice.

17 F or he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.

For He crushes me with a storm, and hurts me more and more without a reason.

18 H e will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.

He will not let me get my breath, but fills me with much that is bitter.

19 I f I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?

If it is a question of power, see, He is the strong one! If it is a question of what is right and fair, who can call Him to a trial?

20 I f I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.

Even if I were right, my mouth would say that I am guilty. Even if I were without blame, He would say I am guilty.

21 T hough I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.

Even though I am without blame, I do not care about myself. I hate my life.

22 T his is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.

It is all the same, so I say, ‘He destroys both those who are without blame and the sinful.’

23 I f the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.

If death comes fast by disease, He makes fun of the trouble of those who have done no wrong.

24 T he earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?

The earth is given into the hand of the sinful. He covers the faces of its judges. If it is not He, then who is it?

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

“My days go faster than a runner. They fly away, and see no good.

26 T hey are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.

They go by like fast boats, like an eagle coming down to catch its food.

27 I f I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:

If I say, ‘I will forget my complaining. I will put off my sad face and be happy,’

28 I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.

I am still afraid of all my pains for I know You will not take away my guilt.

29 I f I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?

Because I am already guilty, why should I try for nothing?

30 I f I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;

If I wash myself with snow and clean my hands using the best soap,

31 Y et shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.

You would still throw me down into a deep hole. And my own clothes would hate me.

32 F or he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.

For He is not a man, as I am, that I may answer Him, that we might go to trial together.

33 N either is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.

There is no one to decide between us, who might lay his hand upon us both.

34 L et him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:

Let Him stop punishing me. And do not let fear of Him make me so afraid.

35 T hen would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.

Then I would speak and not be afraid of Him. But I am not like that in myself.