Job 9 · איוב

Then Iyyov answered and said,

Truly I know it is so: but how should a man be just before God?

If one will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.

He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who has hardened himself against him, and prospered?

he who removes mountains, and they know not: when he overturns them in his anger:

who shakes the earth out of her place, and its pillars tremble:

who commands the sun, and it rises not; and seals up the stars.

He alone spreads out the heavens, and treads upon the waves of the sea:

who makes the Bear, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south wind:

who does great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.

Lo, he goes by me, and I see him not: he passes on also, but I perceive him not.

Behold, he snatches away, who can hinder him? who will say to him, What doest Thou?

God will not withdraw his anger: the helpers of Rahav stoop under him.

How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?

Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to him who contends with me.

If I had called, and he had answered me, yet would I not believe that he had hearkened to my voice.

For he crushes me with a tempest, and multiplies my wounds without cause:

he will not let me take my breath, but fills me with bitterness.

If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?

Though I were just, my own mouth would condemn me: though I were innocent, he would prove me perverse.

Though I were innocent, yet would I not know myself: I would despise my life.

Therefore I said, It is all one: he destroys the innocent and the wicked.

If the scourge slay suddenly, he would mock at the trial of the innocent.

The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covers the faces of its judges; if not he, then who is it?

Now my days are swifter than a runner: they flee away, they see no good.

They pass away like the swift ships: like the vulture that swoops on the prey.

If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my sad countenance, and comfort myself:

I am afraid of all my pains, I know that Thou wilt not hold me innocent.

I shall be condemned; why then do I labour in vain?

If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;

yet shalt Thou plunge me in the ditch, and my own clothes shall abhor me.

For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.

There is no umpire between us, who might lay his hand upon us both.

Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:

for then I would speak, and not fear him; for I am not so in myself.