1 Then Job answered and said, |
2 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? |
3 If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. |
4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? |
5 Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger. |
6 Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble. |
7 Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars. |
8 Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea. |
9 Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south. |
10 Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number. |
11 Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. |
12 Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou? |
13 If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him. |
14 How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him? |
15 Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge. |
16 If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice. |
17 For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause. |
18 He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness. |
19 If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead? |
20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. |
21 Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life. |
