1Then Job answered and said , 2I know it is so of a truth : but how should man be just with God ? 3If he will 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 hath prospered ? 5Which removeth the mountains , and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger . 6Which shaketh the earth out of her place , and the pillars thereof tremble . 7Which commandeth the sun , and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars . 8Which alone spreadeth out the heavens , and treadeth upon the waves of the sea . 9Which maketh Arcturus , Orion , and Pleiades , and the chambers of the south . 10Which doeth great things past finding out ; yea, and wonders without number . 11Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. 12Behold, he taketh away , who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?
The Incomprehensibility of God
13If God will not withdraw his anger , the proud helpers 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 , but I would make supplication to my judge . 16If I had called , and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had 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 I speak of strength , lo, he is strong : and if of judgment , who shall set me a time to plead ? 20If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say , I am perfect , it shall also prove me perverse .
Job's Desire for a Mediator
21Though I were perfect , yet would I not know my soul : I would despise my life . 22This is one thing , therefore I said it , He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked . 23If the scourge slay suddenly , he will laugh 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 not, where , and who is he?
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 hasteth to the prey . 27If I say , I will forget my complaint , I will leave off my heaviness , and comfort myself: 28I am afraid of all my sorrows , I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent . 29If I be wicked , why then labour I in vain ? 30If I wash myself with snow water , and make my hands never so clean ; 31Yet shalt 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, and we should come together in judgment . 33Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both . 34Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me: 35Then would I speak , and not fear him; but it is not so with me.