Job

¹ Then Job answered and said,

² But how can a man be in the right before God?

³ He could not answer Him once in a thousand times.

⁴ Who has stiffened his neck against Him and been at peace?

⁵ When He overturns them in His anger;

⁶ And its pillars tremble;

⁷ And sets a seal upon the stars;

⁸ And tramples down the waves of the sea;

⁹ And the chambers of the south;

¹⁰ And wondrous works, innumerable.

¹¹ Were He to move past me, I would not perceive Him.

¹² Who could say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’

¹³ Beneath Him crouch the helpers of Rahab.

¹⁴ And choose my words before Him?

¹⁵ I would have to plead for the grace of my judge.

¹⁶ I could not believe that He was giving ear to my voice.

¹⁷ And multiplies my wounds without cause.

¹⁸ But saturates me with bitterness.

¹⁹ And if it is a matter of justice, who can make Him testify?

²⁰ Though I am blameless, He will declare me perverse.

²¹ I do not know my soul; I reject my life.

²² ‘He consumes the blameless and the wicked.’

²³ He mocks the despair of the innocent.

²⁴ He covers the faces of its judges. If it is not He, then who is it?

²⁵ They flee away; they do not see good.

²⁶ Like an eagle that swoops on its food.

²⁷ I will forsake my sad countenance and be cheerful,’

²⁸ I know that You will not acquit me.

²⁹ Why then should I toil in vain?

³⁰ And cleanse my hands with lye,

³¹ And my own clothes would abhor me.

³² That we may go to court for judgment together.

³³ Who may lay his hand upon us both.

³⁴ And let not dread of Him terrify me.

³⁵ But I am not like that in myself.