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[1]ThenJob answered and said:
[2]Ofa truth I know that it is so; and how can man be just with God?
[3]Ifone should desire to contend with Him, he could not answer Him one of a thousand.
[4]Heis wise in heart, and mighty in strength; who hath hardened himself against Him, and prospered?
[5]Whoremoveth the mountains, and they know it not, when He overturneth them in His anger.
[6]Whoshaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.
[7]Whocommandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
[8]Whoalone stretcheth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.
[9]Whomaketh the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.
[10]Whodoeth great things past finding out; yea, marvellous things 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 snatcheth away, who can hinder Him? Who will say unto Him: 'What doest Thou?'
[13]Godwill not withdraw His anger; the helpers of Rahab did stoop under Him.
[14]Howmuch less shall I answer Him, and choose out my arguments with Him?
[15]Whom,though I were righteous, yet would I not answer; I would make supplication to Him that contendeth with me.
[16]IfI had called, and He had answered me; yet would I not believe that He would hearken unto my voice—
[17]Hethat would break me with a tempest, and multiply my wounds without cause;
[18]Thatwould not suffer me to take my breath, but fill me with bitterness.
[19]Ifit be a matter of strength, lo, He is mighty! and if of justice, who will appoint me a time?
[20]ThoughI be righteous, mine own mouth shall condemn me; though I be innocent, He shall prove me perverse.
[21]Iam innocent—I regard not myself, I despise my life.
[22]Itis all one—therefore I say: He destroyeth the innocent and the wicked.
[23]Ifthe scourge slay suddenly, He will mock at the calamity of the guiltless.
[24]Theearth is given into the hand of the wicked; he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if it be not He, who then is it?
[25]Nowmy days are swifter than a runner; they flee away, they see no good.
[26]Theyare passed away as the swift ships; as the vulture that swoopeth on the prey.
[27]IfI say: 'I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad countenance, and be of good cheer',
[28]Iam afraid of all my pains, I know that Thou wilt not hold me guiltless.
[29]Ishall be condemned; why then do I labour in vain?
[30]IfI wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
[31]Yetwilt Thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.
[32]ForHe is not a man, as I am, that I should answer Him, that we should come together in judgment.
[33]Thereis no arbiter betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
[34]LetHim take His rod away from me, and let not His terror make me afraid;
[35]Thenwould I speak, and not fear Him; for I am not so with myself.
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