1 T hen Job answered,
2 “ Yes, I know this is true. But how can a man be right and good before God?
3 I f 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 powerful in strength. Who has ever stood against Him without being hurt?
5 I t is He Who takes away the mountains without their knowing it, when He destroys them in His anger.
6 H e shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars shake.
7 H e tells the sun not to shine, and He keeps the stars from shining.
8 H e alone spreads out the heavens and walks upon the waves of the sea.
9 H e makes the Bear, Orion and the Pleiades and the stars of the south.
10 H e does things too great for us to understand, and more wonderful works than we can number.
11 W hen He passes by me, I do not see Him. When He goes by me, I do not know Him.
12 I f He takes away, who can stop Him? Who could say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’
13 “ God will not stop His anger. The helpers of Rahab bow under Him.
14 H ow then can I answer Him, and choose the right words to speak with Him?
15 E ven if I am right, I cannot answer Him. I must beg Him who is against me to have pity.
16 I f I called and He answered me, I could not believe that He was listening to my voice.
17 F or He crushes me with a storm, and hurts me more and more without a reason.
18 H e will not let me get my breath, but fills me with much that is bitter.
19 I f 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 E ven 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 E ven though I am without blame, I do not care about myself. I hate my life.
22 I t is all the same, so I say, ‘He destroys both those who are without blame and the sinful.’
23 I f 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 sinful. He covers the faces of its judges. If it is not He, then who is it?
25 “ My days go faster than a runner. They fly away, and see no good.
26 T hey go by like fast boats, like an eagle coming down to catch its food.
27 I f I say, ‘I will forget my complaining. I will put off my sad face and be happy,’
28 I am still afraid of all my pains for I know You will not take away my guilt.
29 B ecause I am already guilty, why should I try for nothing?
30 I f I wash myself with snow and clean my hands using the best soap,
31 Y ou 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 may answer Him, that we might go to trial together.
33 T here is no one to decide between us, who might lay his hand upon us both.
34 L et Him stop punishing me. And do not let fear of Him make me so afraid.
35 T hen I would speak and not be afraid of Him. But I am not like that in myself.