¹ Then Job answered and said,

^{2 Ref} Of a truth I know that it is so: But how can man be just with God?

^{3 Ref} If he be pleased to contend with him, He cannot answer him one of a thousand.

^{4 Ref} `He is' wise in heart, and mighty in strength: Who hath hardened himself against him, and prospered?-

^{5 Ref} `Him' that removeth the mountains, and they know it not, When he overturneth them in his anger;

^{6 Ref} That shaketh the earth out of its place, And the pillars thereof tremble;

^{7 Ref} That commandeth the sun, and it riseth not, And sealeth up the stars;

^{8 Ref} That alone stretcheth out the heavens, And treadeth upon the waves of the sea;

^{9 Ref} That maketh the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, And the chambers of the south;

^{10 Ref} That doeth great things past finding out, Yea, marvellous things without number.

^{11 Ref} Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: He passeth on also, but I perceive him not.

^{12 Ref} Behold, he seizeth `the prey', who can hinder him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou?

^{13 Ref} God will not withdraw his anger; The helpers of Rahab do stoop under him.

^{14 Ref} How much less shall I answer him, And choose out my words `to reason' with him?

^{15 Ref} Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer; I would make supplication to my judge.

^{16 Ref} If I had called, and he had answered me, Yet would I not believe that he hearkened unto my voice.

^{17 Ref} For he breaketh me with a tempest, And multiplieth my wounds without cause.

^{18 Ref} He will not suffer me to take my breath, But filleth me with bitterness.

^{19 Ref} If `we speak' of strength, lo, `he is' mighty! And if of justice, Who, `saith he', will summon me?

^{20 Ref} Though I be righteous, mine own mouth shall condemn me: Though I be perfect, it shall prove me perverse.

^{21 Ref} I am perfect; I regard not myself; I despise my life.

^{22 Ref} It is all one; therefore I say, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.

^{23 Ref} If the scourge slay suddenly, He will mock at the trial of the innocent.

^{24 Ref} The 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?

^{25 Ref} Now my days are swifter than a post: They flee away, they see no good,

^{26 Ref} They are passed away as the swift ships; As the eagle that swoopeth on the prey.

^{27 Ref} If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will put off my `sad' countenance, and be of good cheer;

^{28 Ref} I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.

^{29 Ref} I shall be condemned; Why then do I labor in vain?

^{30 Ref} If I wash myself with snow water, And make my hands never so clean;

^{31 Ref} Yet wilt thou plunge me in the ditch, And mine own clothes shall abhor me.

^{32 Ref} For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, That we should come together in judgment.

^{33 Ref} There is no umpire betwixt us, That might lay his hand upon us both.

^{34 Ref} Let him take his rod away from me, And let not his terror make me afraid:

³⁵ Then would I speak, and not fear him; For I am not so in myself.