1 Job
1 Then Job replied:
2 "Indeed, I know that this is true. 2 But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?
3 Though they wished to dispute with him, 3 they could not answer him one time out of a thousand.
4 His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. 4 Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?
5 He moves mountains without their knowing it 5 and overturns them in his anger.
6 He shakes the earth from its place 6 and makes its pillars tremble.
7 He speaks to the sun and it does not shine; 7 he seals off the light of the stars.
8 He alone stretches out the heavens 8 and treads on the waves of the sea.
9 He is the Maker of the Bear[a] and Orion, 9 the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.
10 He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, 10 miracles that cannot be counted.
11 When he passes me, I cannot see him; 11 when he goes by, I cannot perceive him.
12 If he snatches away, who can stop him? 12 Who can say to him, 'What are you doing?'
13 God does not restrain his anger; 13 even the cohorts of Rahab cowered at his feet.
14 "How then can I dispute with him? 14 How can I find words to argue with him?
15 Though I were innocent, I could not answer him; 15 I could only plead with my Judge for mercy.
16 Even if I summoned him and he responded, 16 I do not believe he would give me a hearing.
17 He would crush me with a storm 17 and multiply my wounds for no reason.
18 He would not let me catch my breath 18 but would overwhelm me with misery.
19 If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty! 19 And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him[b] ?
20 Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me; 20 if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty.
21 "Although I am blameless, 21 I have no concern for myself; 21 I despise my own life.
22 It is all the same; that is why I say, 22 'He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.'
23 When a scourge brings sudden death, 23 he mocks the despair of the innocent.
24 When a land falls into the hands of the wicked, 24 he blindfolds its judges. 24 If it is not he, then who is it?
25 "My days are swifter than a runner; 25 they fly away without a glimpse of joy.
26 They skim past like boats of papyrus, 26 like eagles swooping down on their prey.
27 If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, 27 I will change my expression, and smile,'
28 I still dread all my sufferings, 28 for I know you will not hold me innocent.
29 Since I am already found guilty, 29 why should I struggle in vain?
30 Even if I washed myself with soap 30 and my hands with cleansing powder,
31 you would plunge me into a slime pit 31 so that even my clothes would detest me.
32 "He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him, 32 that we might confront each other in court.
33 If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, 33 to lay a hand on us both,
34 someone to remove God's rod from me, 34 so that his terror would frighten me no more.
35 Then I would speak up without fear of him, 35 but as it now stands with me, I cannot.
