Job: How Can I Contend with God?

1And Job will answer and say,

2I knew that so the truth: and how shall man be just with God?

3If he shall desire to contend with him, he shall not answer him one from a thousand.

4Wise of heart and strong of power: who was hard before him and shall be requited?

5Removing the mountains and they knew not: who overturned them in his anger;

6Moving the earth from her place, and her pillars will tremble;

7Saying to the sun, and it shall not rise; and for the stars he will seal them up.

8He alone spread out the heavens and he trod upon the heights of the sea.

9He made Ash-Chesil and Cimah, and the chambers of the south;

10He did great things even not searched out; and wonders even no number.

11Behold, he will pass by me, and I shall not see: and he will glide on and I shall not understand for him.

12Behold, he will catch and who shall turn him? and who shall say to him, What wilt thou do?

13God will not turn back his anger, the helpers of pride bowed down under him.

14How much less shall I answer him, shall I choose my words with him?

15Whom, if I was just, I shall not answer; I will make supplication to my judge.

16If I called and he will answer me, I shall not believe that he will give ear to my voice.

17Who will assail me with tempest, and he multiplied my wounds without cause.

18He will not give me to draw in my spirit, for he will fill me with bitterness.

19If for strength, behold him strong: if for judgment, who shall arraign me.

20If I shall be just, my mouth shall condemn me: I am blameless, and he will declare me perverse.

21I am blameless, I shall not know my soul: I shall despise my life.

22It is one: for this, I said, The blameless one and the unjust one he finishes.

23If the scourge shall fall suddenly, he will deride at the trial of the innocent.

24The earth was given into the hand of the unjust one: he will cover the faces of her judges; if not now, who is it?

25My days were swift above a runner: they fled, they saw not good.

26They glided along with the ships of desire: as the eagle will pounce upon food.

27If my saying, I will forget my complaint, I will let go my face, and I will be cheerful:

28I was afraid of all my pains, I knew that thou wilt not acquit me.

29Shall I do evil, wherefore this shall I labor in vain?

30If I washed myself in snow-water, and cleansed my hands clean;

31Then thou wilt immerse me in the ditch, and my garments abhorred me.

32For not a man as I; I shall answer him, we shall come together in judgment.

33There is not between us a reprover; he will put his hand upon us two.

34He will take away his rod from me, and his truth shall not make me afraid.

35I will speak, and I shall not fear him; but not so am I with myself.