¹ And Job answereth and saith: --

^{2 Ref} Truly I have known that `it is' so, And what -- is man righteous with God?

^{3 Ref} If he delight to strive with Him -- He doth not answer him one of a thousand.

^{4 Ref} Wise in heart and strong in power -- Who hath hardened toward Him and is at peace?

^{5 Ref} Who is removing mountains, And they have not known, Who hath overturned them in His anger.

^{6 Ref} Who is shaking earth from its place, And its pillars move themselves.

^{7 Ref} Who is speaking to the sun, and it riseth not, And the stars He sealeth up.

^{8 Ref} Stretching out the heavens by Himself, And treading on the heights of the sea,

^{9 Ref} Making Osh, Kesil, and Kimah, And the inner chambers of the south.

^{10 Ref} Doing great things till there is no searching, And wonderful, till there is no numbering.

^{11 Ref} Lo, He goeth over by me, and I see not, And He passeth on, and I attend not to it.

^{12 Ref} Lo, He snatches away, who bringeth it back? Who saith unto Him, `What dost Thou?'

^{13 Ref} God doth not turn back His anger, Under Him bowed have proud helpers.

^{14 Ref} How much less do I -- I answer Him? Choose out my words with Him?

^{15 Ref} Whom, though I were righteous, I answer not, For my judgment I make supplication.

^{16 Ref} Though I had called and He answereth me, I do not believe that He giveth ear `to' my voice.

^{17 Ref} Because with a tempest He bruiseth me, And hath multiplied my wounds for nought.

^{18 Ref} He permitteth me not to refresh my spirit, But filleth me with bitter things.

^{19 Ref} If of power, lo, the Strong One; And if of judgment -- who doth convene me?

^{20 Ref} If I be righteous, Mine mouth doth declare me wicked, Perfect I am! -- it declareth me perverse.

^{21 Ref} Perfect I am! -- I know not my soul, I despise my life.

^{22 Ref} It is the same thing, therefore I said, `The perfect and the wicked He is consuming.'

^{23 Ref} If a scourge doth put to death suddenly, At the trial of the innocent He laugheth.

^{24 Ref} Earth hath been given Into the hand of the wicked one. The face of its judges he covereth, If not -- where, who `is' he?

^{25 Ref} My days have been swifter than a runner, They have fled, they have not seen good,

^{26 Ref} They have passed on with ships of reed, As an eagle darteth on food.

^{27 Ref} Though I say, `I forget my talking, I forsake my corner, and I brighten up!'

^{28 Ref} I have been afraid of all my griefs, I have known that Thou dost not acquit me.

^{29 Ref} I -- I am become wicked; why `is' this? `In' vain I labour.

^{30 Ref} If I have washed myself with snow-water, And purified with soap my hands,

^{31 Ref} Then in corruption Thou dost dip me, And my garments have abominated me.

^{32 Ref} But if a man like myself -- I answer him, We come together into judgment.

^{33 Ref} If there were between us an umpire, He doth place his hand on us both.

^{34 Ref} He doth turn aside from off me his rod, And His terror doth not make me afraid,

³⁵ I speak, and do not fear Him, But I am not right with myself.