1 A nd Job answereth and saith: --

2 T ruly I have known that so, And what -- is man righteous with God?

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

4 W ise in heart and strong in power -- Who hath hardened toward Him and is at peace?

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

6 W ho is shaking earth from its place, And its pillars move themselves.

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

8 S tretching out the heavens by Himself, And treading on the heights of the sea,

9 M aking Osh, Kesil, and Kimah, And the inner chambers of the south.

10 D oing great things till there is no searching, And wonderful, till there is no numbering.

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

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

13 G od doth not turn back His anger, Under Him bowed have proud helpers.

14 H ow much less do I -- I answer Him? Choose out my words with Him?

15 W hom, though I were righteous, I answer not, For my judgment I make supplication.

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

17 B ecause with a tempest He bruiseth me, And hath multiplied my wounds for nought.

18 H e permitteth me not to refresh my spirit, But filleth me with bitter things.

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

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

21 P erfect I am! -- I know not my soul, I despise my life.

22 I t is the same thing, therefore I said, `The perfect and the wicked He is consuming.'

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

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

25 M y days have been swifter than a runner, They have fled, they have not seen good,

26 T hey have passed on with ships of reed, As an eagle darteth on food.

27 T hough I say, `I forget my talking, I forsake my corner, and I brighten up!'

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

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

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

31 T hen in corruption Thou dost dip me, And my garments have abominated me.

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

33 I f there were between us an umpire, He doth place his hand on us both.

34 H e doth turn aside from off me his rod, And His terror doth not make me afraid,

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