1Then Job answered, and said,
2I know verily that it is so: for how should man compared unto God, be justified?
3If he would dispute with him, he could not answer him one thing of thousand.
4He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath been fierce against him, and hath prospered?
5He removeth the mountains, and they feel not when he overthroweth them in his wrath.
6He removeth the earth out of her place, that the pillars thereof do shake.
7He commandeth the Sun, and it riseth not: he closeth up the stars, as under a signet.
8He himself alone spreadeth out the heavens, and walketh upon the height of the Sea.
9He maketh the stars Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the climates of the South.
10He doeth great things, and unsearchable: yea, marvelous things without number.
11Lo, when he goeth by me, I see him not: and when he passeth by, I perceive him not:
12Behold, when he taketh a prey, who can make him to restore it? who shall say unto him, What doest thou?
13God will not withdraw his anger, and the most mighty helpers do stoop under him.
14How much less shall I answer him? or how should I find out my words with him?
15For though I were just, yet could I not answer, but I would make supplication to my Judge.
16If I cry, and he answer me, yet would I not believe, that he heard my voice.
17For he destroyeth me with a tempest, and woundeth me without cause.
18He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.
19If we speak of strength, behold, he is strong: if we speak of judgment, who shall bring me in to plead?
20If I should justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I would be perfect, he shall judge me wicked.
21Though I were perfect, yet I know not my soul: therefore abhor I my life.
22This is one point: therefore I said, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
23If the scourge should suddenly slay, should God laugh at the punishment of the innocent?
24The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof: if not, where is he? or who is he?
25My days have been more swift than a post: they have fled, and have seen no good thing.
26They are passed as with the most swift ships, and as the Eagle that flieth to the prey.
27If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will cease from my wrath, and comfort me,
28Then I am afraid of all my sorrows, knowing that thou wilt not judge me innocent.
29If I be wicked, why labor I thus in vain?
30If I wash myself with snow water, and purge mine hands most clean,
31Yet shalt thou plunge me in the pit, and mine own clothes shall make me filthy.
32For he is not a man as I am, that I should answer him, if we come together to judgment.
33Neither is there any umpire that might lay his hand upon us both.
34Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear astonish me:
35Then will I speak, and fear him not: but because I am not so, I hold me still.