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[1] Then Job answered, and said,
[2] I know verily that it is so: for how should man compared unto God, be justified?
[3] If I would dispute with him, he could not answer him one thing of a thousand.
[4] He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath been fierce against him and hath prospered?
[5] He removeth the mountains, and they feel not when he overthroweth them in his wrath.
[6] He removeth the earth out of her place, that the pillars thereof do shake.
[7] He commandeth the sun, and it riseth not: he closeth up the stars, as under a signet.
[8] He himself alone spreadeth out the heavens, and walketh upon the height of the sea.
[9] He maketh the stars Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the climates of the south.
[10] He doeth great things, and unsearchable: yea, marvelous things without number.
[11] Lo, when he goeth by me, I see him not: and when he passeth by, I perceive him not.
[12] Behold, when he taketh a prey, who can make him to restore it? Who shall say unto him, What doest thou?
[13] God will not withdraw his anger, and the most mighty helps do stoop under him.
[14] How much less shall I answer him? Or how should I find out my words with him?
[15] For though I were just, yet could I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.
[16] If I cry, and he answer me, yet would I not believe, that he heard my voice.
[17] For he destroyeth me with a tempest, and woundeth me without cause.
[18] He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.
[19] If we speak of strength, behold, he is strong: if we speak of judgment, who shall bring me in to plead?
[20] If I would justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I would be perfect, he shall judge me wicked.
[21] Though I were perfect, yet I know not my soul: therefore abhor I my life.
[22] This is one point: therefore I said, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
[23] If the scourge should suddenly slay, should God laugh at the punishment of the innocent?
[24] The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof: if not, where is he? Or who is he?
[25] My days have been more swift than a post: they have fled, and have seen no good thing.
[26] They are passed as with the most swift ships, and as the eagle that flyeth to the prey.
[27] If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will cease from my wrath, and comfort me,
[28] Then I am afraid of all my sorrows, knowing that thou wilt not judge me innocent.
[29] If I be wicked, why labor I thus in vain?
[30] If I wash myself with snow water, and purge mine hands most clean,
[31] Yet shalt thou plunge me in the pit, and mine own clothes shall make me filthy.
[32] For he is not a man as I am, that I should answer him, if we come together to judgment.
[33] Neither is there any umpire that might lay his hand upon us both.
[34] Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear astonish me:
[35] Then will I speak, and fear him not: but because I am not so, I hold me still.
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