Dual Panel1THEN JOB answered and said,
2Yes, I know it is true. But how can mortal man be right before God?
3If one should want to contend with Him, he cannot answer one [of His questions] in a thousand.
4[God] is wise in heart and mighty in strength; who has [ever] hardened himself against Him and prospered {or} even been safe?
5[God] Who removes the mountains, and they know it not when He overturns them in His anger;
6Who shakes the earth out of its place, and the pillars of it tremble;
7Who commands the sun, and it rises not; Who seals up the stars [from view];
8Who alone stretches out the heavens and treads upon the waves {and} high places of the sea;
9Who made [the constellations] the Bear, Orion, and the [loose cluster] Pleiades, and the [vast starry] spaces of the south;
10Who does great things past finding out, yes, marvelous things without number.
11Behold, He goes by me, and I see Him not; He passes on also, but I perceive Him not.
12Behold, He snatches away; who can hinder {or} turn Him back? Who will say to Him, What are You doing?
13God will not withdraw His anger; the [proud] helpers of Rahab [arrogant monster of the sea] bow under Him.
14How much less shall I answer Him, choosing out my words to reason with Him
15Whom, though I were righteous (upright and innocent) yet I could not answer? I must appeal for mercy to my Opponent {and} Judge [for my right].
16If I called and He answered me, yet would I not believe that He listened to my voice.
17For He overwhelms {and} breaks me with a tempest and multiplies my wounds without cause.
18He will not allow me to catch my breath, but fills me with bitterness.
19If I speak of strength, behold, He is mighty! And if of justice, Who, says He, will summon Me?
20Though I am innocent {and} in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; though I am blameless, He would prove me perverse.
21Though I am blameless, I regard not myself; I despise my life.
22It is all one; therefore I say, God [does not discriminate, but] destroys the blameless and the wicked.
23When [His] scourge slays suddenly, He mocks at the calamity {and} trial of the innocent.
24The earth is given into the hands of the wicked; He covers the faces of its judges [so that they are blinded to justice]. If it is not [God], who then is it [responsible for all this inequality]?
25Now my days are swifter than a runner; they flee away, they see no good.
26They are passed away like the swift rowboats made of reeds, or like the eagle that swoops down on the prey.
27If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad countenance, and be of good cheer {and} brighten up,
28I become afraid of all my pains {and} sorrows [yet to come], for I know You will not pronounce me innocent [by removing them].
29I shall be held guilty {and} be condemned; why then should I labor in vain [to appear innocent]?
30If I wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye,
31Yet You will plunge me into the ditch, and my own clothes will abhor me [and refuse to cover so foul a body].
32For [God] is not a [mere] man, as I am, that I should answer Him, that we should come together in court.
33There is no umpire between us, who might lay his hand upon us both, [would that there were!]
34That He might take His rod away from [threatening] me, and that the fear of Him might not terrify me.
35[Then] would I speak and not fear Him, but I am not so in myself [to make me afraid, were only a fair trial given me].