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