1Then Job answered and said , 2Of a truth I know that it is so : But how can man be just with God? 3If he be pleased to contend with him , He cannot answer him one of a thousand. 4He is wise in heart , and mighty in strength : Who hath hardened himself against him , and prospered ?— 5Him that removeth the mountains , and they know it not , When he overturneth them in his anger; 6That shaketh the earth out of its place , And the pillars thereof tremble ; 7That commandeth the sun , and it riseth not , And sealeth up the stars ; 8That alone stretcheth out the heavens , And treadeth upon the waves of the sea ; 9That maketh the Bear , Orion , and the Pleiades , And the chambers of the south ; 10That doeth great things past finding out , Yea, marvellous things without number . 11Lo , he goeth by me , and I see him not : He passeth on also, but I perceive him not . 12Behold , he seizeth the prey , who can hinder him ? Who will say unto him , What doest thou ?
The Incomprehensibility of God
13God will not withdraw his anger; The helpers of Rahab do stoop under him . 14How much less shall I answer him , And choose out my words to reason with him ? 15Whom, though I were righteous , yet would I not answer ; I would make supplication to my judge . 16If I had called , and he had answered me , Yet would I not believe that he hearkened unto my voice . 17For he breaketh me with a tempest , And multiplieth my wounds without cause . 18He will not suffer me to take my breath , But filleth me with bitterness . 19If we speak of strength , lo , he is mighty ! And if of justice , Who , saith he , will summon me ? 20Though I be righteous , mine own mouth shall condemn me : Though I be perfect , it shall prove me perverse .
Job's Desire for a Mediator
21I am perfect ; I regard not myself ; I despise my life . 22It is all one ; therefore I say, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked . 23If the scourge slay suddenly , He will mock at the trial of the innocent . 24The earth is given into the hand of the wicked ; He covereth the faces of the judges thereof : If it be not he , who then is it ?
The Reality of Suffering
25Now my days are swifter than a post : They flee away , they see no good . 26They are passed away as the swift ships; As the eagle that swoopeth on the prey. 27If I say, I will forget my complaint , I will put off my sad countenance , and be of good cheer ; 28I am afraid of all my sorrows , I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent . 29I shall be condemned ; Why then do I labor in vain ? 30If I wash myself with snow water, And make my hands never so clean ; 31Yet wilt thou plunge me in the ditch , And mine own clothes shall abhor me . 32For he is not a man , as I am, that I should answer him , That we should come together in judgment . 33There is no umpire betwixt us , That might lay his hand upon us both . 34Let him take his rod away from me , And let not his terror make me afraid : 35Then would I speak , and not fear him ; For I am not so in myself.