then job answered and said
i know it is so of a truth but how should man be just with god
if he will contend with him he cannot answer him one of a thousand
he is wise in heart and mighty in strength who hath hardened himself against him and hath prospered
which removeth the mountains and they know not which overturneth them in his anger
which shaketh the earth out of her place and the pillars thereof tremble
which commandeth the sun and it riseth not and sealeth up the stars
which alone spreadeth out the heavens and treadeth upon the waves of the sea
which maketh arcturus orion and pleiades and the chambers of the south
which doeth great things past finding out yea and wonders without number
lo he goeth by me and i see him not he passeth on also but i perceive
behold he taketh away who can hinder him who will say unto him what doest
if god will not withdraw his anger the proud helpers do stoop
how much less shall i answer him and choose out my words
whom though i were righteous yet would i not answer but i would make supplication to my judge
if i had called and he had answered me yet would i not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice
for he breaketh me with a tempest and multiplieth my wounds without cause
he will not suffer me to take my breath but filleth me with bitterness
if i speak of strength lo he is strong and if of judgment who shall set
if i justify myself mine own mouth shall condemn me if i say i am perfect it shall also prove me perverse
though i were perfect yet would i not know my soul i would despise my life
this is one thing therefore i said it he destroyeth the perfect and the wicked
if the scourge slay suddenly he will laugh at the trial of the innocent
the earth is given into the hand of the wicked he covereth the faces of the judges thereof if not where
now my days are swifter than a post they flee away they see no good
they are passed away as the swift ships as the eagle that hasteth to the prey
if i say i will forget my complaint i will leave off my heaviness and comfort
i am afraid of all my sorrows i know that thou wilt not hold me innocent
if i be wicked why then labour i 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 mine own clothes shall abhor
for he is not a man as i am that i should answer him and we should come together in judgment
neither is there any daysman betwixt us that might lay his hand upon us both
let him take his rod away from me and let not his fear terrify
then would i speak and not fear him