1 |
Then Job answered and said, |
2 |
I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? |
3 |
If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. |
4 |
He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? |
5 |
Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger. |
6 |
Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble. |
7 |
Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars. |
8 |
Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea. |
9 |
Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south. |
10 |
Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number. |
11 |
Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. |
12 |
Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou? |
13 |
If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him. |
14 |
How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him? |
15 |
Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge. |
16 |
If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice. |
17 |
For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause. |
18 |
He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness. |
19 |
If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead? |
20 |
If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. |
21 |
Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life. |
22 |
This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked. |
23 |
If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent. |
24 |
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he? |
25 |
Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good. |
26 |
They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey. |
27 |
If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself: |
28 |
I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent. |
29 |
If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain? |
30 |
If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; |
31 |
Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me. |
32 |
For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. |
33 |
Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both. |
34 |
Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me: |
35 |
Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me. |
