[1] And Job made answer and said, [2] Truly, I see that it is so: and how
is it possible for a man to get his right before God? [3] If a man was
desiring to go to law with him, he would not be able to give him an answer
to one out of a thousand questions. [4] He is wise in heart and great in
strength: who ever made his face hard against him, and any good came of it?
[5] It is he who takes away the mountains without their knowledge,
overturning them in his wrath: [6] Who is moving the earth out of its
place, so that its pillars are shaking: [7] Who gives orders to the sun,
and it does not give its light; and who keeps the stars from shining. [8]
By whose hand the heavens were stretched out, and who is walking on the
waves of the sea: [9] Who made the Bear and Orion, and the Pleiades, and
the store-houses of the south: [10] Who does great things not to be
searched out; yes, wonders without number. [11] See, he goes past me and I
see him not: he goes on before, but I have no knowledge of him. [12] If he
puts out his hand to take, by whom may it be turned back? who may say to
him, What are you doing? [13] God's wrath may not be turned back; the
helpers of Rahab were bent down under him. [14] How much less may I give an
answer to him, using the right words in argument with him? [15] Even if my
cause was good, I would not be able to give an answer; I would make request
for grace from him who was against me. [16] If I had sent for him to be
present, and he had come, I would have no faith that he would give ear to
my voice. [17] For I would be crushed by his storm, my wounds would be
increased without cause. [18] He would not let me take my breath, but I
would be full of bitter grief. [19] If it is a question of strength, he
says, Here I am! and if it is a question of a cause at law, he says, Who
will give me a fixed day? [20] Though I was in the right, he would say that
I was in the wrong; I have done no evil; but he says that I am a sinner.
[21] I have done no wrong; I give no thought to what becomes of me; I have
no desire for life. [22] It is all the same to me; so I say, He puts an end
to the sinner and to him who has done no wrong together. [23] If death
comes suddenly through disease, he makes sport of the fate of those who
have done no wrong. [24] The land is given into the power of the evil-doer;
the faces of its judges are covered; if not by him, then who has done it?
[25] My days go quicker than a post-runner: they go in flight, they see no
good. [26] They go rushing on like reed-boats, like an eagle dropping
suddenly on its food. [27] If I say, I will put my grief out of mind, I
will let my face be sad no longer and I will be bright; [28] I go in fear
of all my pains; I am certain that I will not be free from sin in your
eyes. [29] You will not let me be clear of sin! why then do I take trouble
for nothing? [30] If I am washed with snow water, and make my hands clean
with soap; [31] Then you will have me pushed into the dust, so that I will
seem disgusting to my very clothing. [32] For he is not a man as I am, that
I might give him an answer, that we might come together before a judge.
[33] There is no one to give a decision between us, who might have control
over us. [34] Let him take away his rod from me and not send his fear on
me: [35] Then I would say what is in my mind without fear of him; for there
is no cause of fear in myself.