1 T hen Job answered,

And Job answereth and saith: --

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

Truly I have known that so, And what -- is man righteous with 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.

If he delight to strive with Him -- He doth not answer him one of a thousand.

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

Wise in heart and strong in power -- Who hath hardened toward Him and is at peace?

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

Who is removing mountains, And they have not known, Who hath overturned them in His anger.

6 H e shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars shake.

Who is shaking earth from its place, And its pillars move themselves.

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

Who is speaking to the sun, and it riseth not, And the stars He sealeth up.

8 H e alone spreads out the heavens and walks upon the waves of the sea.

Stretching out the heavens by Himself, And treading on the heights of the sea,

9 H e makes the Bear, Orion and the Pleiades and the stars of the south.

Making Osh, Kesil, and Kimah, And the inner chambers of the south.

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

Doing great things till there is no searching, And wonderful, till there is no numbering.

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

Lo, He goeth over by me, and I see not, And He passeth on, and I attend not to it.

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

Lo, He snatches away, who bringeth it back? Who saith unto Him, `What dost Thou?'

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

God doth not turn back His anger, Under Him bowed have proud helpers.

14 H ow then can I answer Him, and choose the right words to speak with Him?

How much less do I -- I answer Him? Choose out my words with Him?

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

Whom, though I were righteous, I answer not, For my judgment I make supplication.

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

Though I had called and He answereth me, I do not believe that He giveth ear my voice.

17 F or He crushes me with a storm, and hurts me more and more without a reason.

Because with a tempest He bruiseth me, And hath multiplied my wounds for nought.

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

He permitteth me not to refresh my spirit, But filleth me with bitter things.

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?

If of power, lo, the Strong One; And if of judgment -- who doth convene me?

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.

If I be righteous, Mine mouth doth declare me wicked, Perfect I am! -- it declareth me perverse.

21 E ven though I am without blame, I do not care about myself. I hate my life.

Perfect I am! -- I know not my soul, I despise my life.

22 I t is all the same, so I say, ‘He destroys both those who are without blame and the sinful.’

It is the same thing, therefore I said, `The perfect and the wicked He is consuming.'

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

If a scourge doth put to death suddenly, At the trial of the innocent He laugheth.

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?

Earth hath been given Into the hand of the wicked one. The face of its judges he covereth, If not -- where, who he?

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

My days have been swifter than a runner, They have fled, they have not seen good,

26 T hey go by like fast boats, like an eagle coming down to catch its food.

They have passed on with ships of reed, As an eagle darteth on food.

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

Though I say, `I forget my talking, I forsake my corner, and I brighten up!'

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

I have been afraid of all my griefs, I have known that Thou dost not acquit me.

29 B ecause I am already guilty, why should I try for nothing?

I -- I am become wicked; why this? vain I labour.

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

If I have washed myself with snow-water, And purified with soap my hands,

31 Y ou would still throw me down into a deep hole. And my own clothes would hate me.

Then in corruption Thou dost dip me, And my garments have abominated me.

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

But if a man like myself -- I answer him, We come together into judgment.

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

If there were between us an umpire, He doth place his hand on us both.

34 L et Him stop punishing me. And do not let fear of Him make me so afraid.

He doth turn aside from off me his rod, And His terror doth not make me afraid,

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

I speak, and do not fear Him, But I am not right with myself.