² “If someone ventures a word with you, will you be impatient?
    But who can keep from speaking?^(B)
3 Think how you have instructed many,^(C)
    how you have strengthened feeble hands.^(D)
4 Your words have supported those who stumbled;^(E)
    you have strengthened faltering knees.^(F)
5 But now trouble comes to you, and you are discouraged;^(G)
    it strikes^(H) you, and you are dismayed.^(I)
6 Should not your piety be your confidence^(J)
    and your blameless^(K) ways your hope?

⁷ “Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished?^(L)
    Where were the upright ever destroyed?^(M)
8 As I have observed,^(N) those who plow evil^(O)
    and those who sow trouble reap it.^(P)
9 At the breath of God^(Q) they perish;
    at the blast of his anger they are no more.^(R)
10 The lions may roar^(S) and growl,
    yet the teeth of the great lions^(T) are broken.^(U)
11 The lion perishes for lack of prey,^(V)
    and the cubs of the lioness are scattered.^(W)

¹² “A word^(X) was secretly brought to me,
    my ears caught a whisper^(Y) of it.^(Z)
13 Amid disquieting dreams in the night,
    when deep sleep falls on people,^(AA)
14 fear and trembling^(AB) seized me
    and made all my bones shake.^(AC)
15 A spirit glided past my face,
    and the hair on my body stood on end.^(AD)
16 It stopped,
    but I could not tell what it was.
A form stood before my eyes,
    and I heard a hushed voice:^(AE)
17 ‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God?^(AF)
    Can even a strong man be more pure than his Maker?^(AG)
18 If God places no trust in his servants,^(AH)
    if he charges his angels with error,^(AI)
19 how much more those who live in houses of clay,^(AJ)
    whose foundations^(AK) are in the dust,^(AL)
    who are crushed^(AM) more readily than a moth!^(AN)
20 Between dawn and dusk they are broken to pieces;
    unnoticed, they perish forever.^(AO)
21 Are not the cords of their tent pulled up,^(AP)
    so that they die^(AQ) without wisdom?’^(AR)

⁸ “But if I were you, I would appeal to God;
    I would lay my cause before him.^(BH)
9 He performs wonders^(BI) that cannot be fathomed,^(BJ)
    miracles that cannot be counted.^(BK)
10 He provides rain for the earth;^(BL)
    he sends water on the countryside.^(BM)
11 The lowly he sets on high,^(BN)
    and those who mourn^(BO) are lifted^(BP) to safety.
¹² He thwarts the plans^(BQ) of the crafty,
    so that their hands achieve no success.^(BR)
13 He catches the wise^(BS) in their craftiness,^(BT)
    and the schemes of the wily are swept away.^(BU)
14 Darkness^(BV) comes upon them in the daytime;
    at noon they grope as in the night.^(BW)
15 He saves the needy^(BX) from the sword in their mouth;
    he saves them from the clutches of the powerful.^(BY)
16 So the poor^(BZ) have hope,
    and injustice shuts its mouth.^(CA)

¹⁷ “Blessed is the one whom God corrects;^(CB)
    so do not despise the discipline^(CC) of the Almighty.^[a](CD)
18 For he wounds, but he also binds up;^(CE)
    he injures, but his hands also heal.^(CF)
19 From six calamities he will rescue^(CG) you;
    in seven no harm will touch you.^(CH)
20 In famine^(CI) he will deliver you from death,
    and in battle from the stroke of the sword.^(CJ)
21 You will be protected from the lash of the tongue,^(CK)
    and need not fear^(CL) when destruction comes.^(CM)
22 You will laugh^(CN) at destruction and famine,^(CO)
    and need not fear the wild animals.^(CP)
23 For you will have a covenant^(CQ) with the stones^(CR) of the field,
    and the wild animals will be at peace with you.^(CS)
24 You will know that your tent is secure;^(CT)
    you will take stock of your property and find nothing missing.^(CU)
25 You will know that your children will be many,^(CV)
    and your descendants like the grass of the earth.^(CW)
26 You will come to the grave in full vigor,^(CX)
    like sheaves gathered in season.^(CY)

²⁷ “We have examined this, and it is true.
    So hear it^(CZ) and apply it to yourself.”^(DA)

² “If only my anguish could be weighed
    and all my misery be placed on the scales!^(DB)
3 It would surely outweigh the sand^(DC) of the seas—
    no wonder my words have been impetuous.^(DD)
4 The arrows^(DE) of the Almighty^(DF) are in me,^(DG)
    my spirit drinks^(DH) in their poison;^(DI)
    God’s terrors^(DJ) are marshaled against me.^(DK)
5 Does a wild donkey^(DL) bray^(DM) when it has grass,
    or an ox bellow when it has fodder?^(DN)
6 Is tasteless food eaten without salt,
    or is there flavor in the sap of the mallow^[b]?^(DO)
7 I refuse to touch it;
    such food makes me ill.^(DP)

⁸ “Oh, that I might have my request,
    that God would grant what I hope for,^(DQ)
9 that God would be willing to crush^(DR) me,
    to let loose his hand and cut off my life!^(DS)
10 Then I would still have this consolation^(DT)—
    my joy in unrelenting pain^(DU)—
    that I had not denied the words^(DV) of the Holy One.^(DW)

¹¹ “What strength do I have, that I should still hope?
    What prospects, that I should be patient?^(DX)
12 Do I have the strength of stone?
    Is my flesh bronze?^(DY)
13 Do I have any power to help myself,^(DZ)
    now that success has been driven from me?

¹⁴ “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend^(EA)
    forsakes the fear of the Almighty.^(EB)
15 But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams,^(EC)
    as the streams that overflow
¹⁶ when darkened by thawing ice
    and swollen with melting snow,^(ED)
17 but that stop flowing in the dry season,
    and in the heat^(EE) vanish from their channels.
¹⁸ Caravans turn aside from their routes;
    they go off into the wasteland and perish.
¹⁹ The caravans of Tema^(EF) look for water,
    the traveling merchants of Sheba^(EG) look in hope.
²⁰ They are distressed, because they had been confident;
    they arrive there, only to be disappointed.^(EH)
21 Now you too have proved to be of no help;
    you see something dreadful and are afraid.^(EI)
22 Have I ever said, ‘Give something on my behalf,
    pay a ransom^(EJ) for me from your wealth,^(EK)
23 deliver me from the hand of the enemy,
    rescue me from the clutches of the ruthless’?^(EL)

²⁴ “Teach me, and I will be quiet;^(EM)
    show me where I have been wrong.^(EN)
25 How painful are honest words!^(EO)
    But what do your arguments prove?
²⁶ Do you mean to correct what I say,
    and treat my desperate words as wind?^(EP)
27 You would even cast lots^(EQ) for the fatherless^(ER)
    and barter away your friend.

²⁸ “But now be so kind as to look at me.
    Would I lie to your face?^(ES)
29 Relent, do not be unjust;^(ET)
    reconsider, for my integrity^(EU) is at stake.^[c](EV)
30 Is there any wickedness on my lips?^(EW)
    Can my mouth not discern^(EX) malice?

7 “Do not mortals have hard service^(EY) on earth?^(EZ)
    Are not their days like those of hired laborers?^(FA)
2 Like a slave longing for the evening shadows,^(FB)
    or a hired laborer waiting to be paid,^(FC)
3 so I have been allotted months of futility,
    and nights of misery have been assigned to me.^(FD)
4 When I lie down I think, ‘How long before I get up?’^(FE)
    The night drags on, and I toss and turn until dawn.^(FF)
5 My body is clothed with worms^(FG) and scabs,
    my skin is broken and festering.^(FH)

⁶ “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle,^(FI)
    and they come to an end without hope.^(FJ)
7 Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath;^(FK)
    my eyes will never see happiness again.^(FL)
8 The eye that now sees me will see me no longer;
    you will look for me, but I will be no more.^(FM)
9 As a cloud vanishes^(FN) and is gone,
    so one who goes down to the grave^(FO) does not return.^(FP)
10 He will never come to his house again;
    his place^(FQ) will know him no more.^(FR)

¹¹ “Therefore I will not keep silent;^(FS)
    I will speak out in the anguish^(FT) of my spirit,
    I will complain^(FU) in the bitterness of my soul.^(FV)
12 Am I the sea,^(FW) or the monster of the deep,^(FX)
    that you put me under guard?^(FY)
13 When I think my bed will comfort me
    and my couch will ease my complaint,^(FZ)
14 even then you frighten me with dreams
    and terrify^(GA) me with visions,^(GB)
15 so that I prefer strangling and death,^(GC)
    rather than this body of mine.^(GD)
16 I despise my life;^(GE) I would not live forever.^(GF)
    Let me alone;^(GG) my days have no meaning.^(GH)

¹⁷ “What is mankind that you make so much of them,
    that you give them so much attention,^(GI)
18 that you examine them every morning^(GJ)
    and test them^(GK) every moment?^(GL)
19 Will you never look away from me,^(GM)
    or let me alone even for an instant?^(GN)
20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you,^(GO)
    you who see everything we do?
Why have you made me your target?^(GP)
    Have I become a burden to you?^[d](GQ)
21 Why do you not pardon my offenses
    and forgive my sins?^(GR)
For I will soon lie down in the dust;^(GS)
    you will search for me, but I will be no more.”^(GT)

² “How long will you say such things?^(GV)
    Your words are a blustering wind.^(GW)
3 Does God pervert justice?^(GX)
    Does the Almighty pervert what is right?^(GY)
4 When your children sinned against him,
    he gave them over to the penalty of their sin.^(GZ)
5 But if you will seek God earnestly
    and plead^(HA) with the Almighty,^(HB)
6 if you are pure and upright,
    even now he will rouse himself on your behalf^(HC)
    and restore you to your prosperous state.^(HD)
7 Your beginnings will seem humble,
    so prosperous^(HE) will your future be.^(HF)

⁸ “Ask the former generation^(HG)
    and find out what their ancestors learned,
⁹ for we were born only yesterday and know nothing,^(HH)
    and our days on earth are but a shadow.^(HI)
10 Will they not instruct^(HJ) you and tell you?
    Will they not bring forth words from their understanding?^(HK)
11 Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh?^(HL)
    Can reeds^(HM) thrive without water?
¹² While still growing and uncut,
    they wither more quickly than grass.^(HN)
13 Such is the destiny^(HO) of all who forget God;^(HP)
    so perishes the hope of the godless.^(HQ)
14 What they trust in is fragile^[e];
    what they rely on is a spider’s web.^(HR)
15 They lean on the web,^(HS) but it gives way;
    they cling to it, but it does not hold.^(HT)
16 They are like a well-watered plant in the sunshine,
    spreading its shoots^(HU) over the garden;^(HV)
17 it entwines its roots around a pile of rocks
    and looks for a place among the stones.
¹⁸ But when it is torn from its spot,
    that place disowns^(HW) it and says, ‘I never saw you.’^(HX)
19 Surely its life withers^(HY) away,
    and^[f] from the soil other plants grow.^(HZ)

²⁰ “Surely God does not reject one who is blameless^(IA)
    or strengthen the hands of evildoers.^(IB)
21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter^(IC)
    and your lips with shouts of joy.^(ID)
22 Your enemies will be clothed in shame,^(IE)
    and the tents^(IF) of the wicked will be no more.”^(IG)

² “Indeed, I know that this is true.
    But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?^(IH)
3 Though they wished to dispute with him,^(II)
    they could not answer him one time out of a thousand.^(IJ)
4 His wisdom^(IK) is profound, his power is vast.^(IL)
    Who has resisted^(IM) him and come out unscathed?^(IN)
5 He moves mountains^(IO) without their knowing it
    and overturns them in his anger.^(IP)
6 He shakes the earth^(IQ) from its place
    and makes its pillars tremble.^(IR)
7 He speaks to the sun and it does not shine;^(IS)
    he seals off the light of the stars.^(IT)
8 He alone stretches out the heavens^(IU)
    and treads on the waves of the sea.^(IV)
9 He is the Maker^(IW) of the Bear^[g] and Orion,
    the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.^(IX)
10 He performs wonders^(IY) that cannot be fathomed,
    miracles that cannot be counted.^(IZ)
11 When he passes me, I cannot see him;
    when he goes by, I cannot perceive him.^(JA)
12 If he snatches away, who can stop him?^(JB)
    Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’^(JC)
13 God does not restrain his anger;^(JD)
    even the cohorts of Rahab^(JE) cowered at his feet.

¹⁴ “How then can I dispute with him?
    How can I find words to argue with him?^(JF)
15 Though I were innocent, I could not answer him;^(JG)
    I could only plead^(JH) with my Judge^(JI) for mercy.^(JJ)
16 Even if I summoned him and he responded,
    I do not believe he would give me a hearing.^(JK)
17 He would crush me^(JL) with a storm^(JM)
    and multiply^(JN) my wounds for no reason.^(JO)
18 He would not let me catch my breath
    but would overwhelm me with misery.^(JP)
19 If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty!^(JQ)
    And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him^[h]?^(JR)
20 Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me;
    if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty.^(JS)

²¹ “Although I am blameless,^(JT)
    I have no concern for myself;^(JU)
    I despise my own life.^(JV)
22 It is all the same; that is why I say,
    ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’^(JW)
23 When a scourge^(JX) brings sudden death,
    he mocks the despair of the innocent.^(JY)
24 When a land falls into the hands of the wicked,^(JZ)
    he blindfolds its judges.^(KA)
    If it is not he, then who is it?^(KB)

²⁵ “My days are swifter than a runner;^(KC)
    they fly away without a glimpse of joy.^(KD)
26 They skim past^(KE) like boats of papyrus,^(KF)
    like eagles swooping down on their prey.^(KG)
27 If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint,^(KH)
    I will change my expression, and smile,’
²⁸ I still dread^(KI) all my sufferings,
    for I know you will not hold me innocent.^(KJ)
29 Since I am already found guilty,
    why should I struggle in vain?^(KK)
30 Even if I washed myself with soap^(KL)
    and my hands^(KM) with cleansing powder,^(KN)
31 you would plunge me into a slime pit^(KO)
    so that even my clothes would detest me.^(KP)

³² “He is not a mere mortal^(KQ) like me that I might answer him,^(KR)
    that we might confront each other in court.^(KS)
33 If only there were someone to mediate between us,^(KT)
    someone to bring us together,^(KU)
34 someone to remove God’s rod from me,^(KV)
    so that his terror would frighten me no more.^(KW)
35 Then I would speak up without fear of him,^(KX)
    but as it now stands with me, I cannot.^(KY)

10 “I loathe my very life;^(KZ)
    therefore I will give free rein to my complaint
    and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.^(LA)
2 I say to God:^(LB) Do not declare me guilty,
    but tell me what charges^(LC) you have against me.^(LD)
3 Does it please you to oppress me,^(LE)
    to spurn the work of your hands,^(LF)
    while you smile on the plans of the wicked?^(LG)
4 Do you have eyes of flesh?
    Do you see as a mortal sees?^(LH)
5 Are your days like those of a mortal
    or your years like those of a strong man,^(LI)
6 that you must search out my faults
    and probe after my sin^(LJ)—
⁷ though you know that I am not guilty^(LK)
    and that no one can rescue me from your hand?^(LL)

⁸ “Your hands shaped^(LM) me and made me.
    Will you now turn and destroy me?^(LN)
9 Remember that you molded me like clay.^(LO)
    Will you now turn me to dust again?^(LP)
10 Did you not pour me out like milk
    and curdle me like cheese,
¹¹ clothe me with skin and flesh
    and knit me together^(LQ) with bones and sinews?
¹² You gave me life^(LR) and showed me kindness,^(LS)
    and in your providence^(LT) watched over^(LU) my spirit.

¹³ “But this is what you concealed in your heart,
    and I know that this was in your mind:^(LV)
14 If I sinned, you would be watching me^(LW)
    and would not let my offense go unpunished.^(LX)
15 If I am guilty^(LY)—woe to me!^(LZ)
    Even if I am innocent, I cannot lift my head,^(MA)
for I am full of shame
    and drowned in^[i] my affliction.^(MB)
16 If I hold my head high, you stalk me like a lion^(MC)
    and again display your awesome power against me.^(MD)
17 You bring new witnesses against me^(ME)
    and increase your anger toward me;^(MF)
    your forces come against me wave upon wave.^(MG)

¹⁸ “Why then did you bring me out of the womb?^(MH)
    I wish I had died before any eye saw me.^(MI)
19 If only I had never come into being,
    or had been carried straight from the womb to the grave!^(MJ)
20 Are not my few days^(MK) almost over?^(ML)
    Turn away from me^(MM) so I can have a moment’s joy^(MN)
21 before I go to the place of no return,^(MO)
    to the land of gloom and utter darkness,^(MP)
22 to the land of deepest night,
    of utter darkness^(MQ) and disorder,
    where even the light is like darkness.”^(MR)

² “Are all these words to go unanswered?^(MT)
    Is this talker to be vindicated?^(MU)
3 Will your idle talk^(MV) reduce others to silence?
    Will no one rebuke you when you mock?^(MW)
4 You say to God, ‘My beliefs are flawless^(MX)
    and I am pure^(MY) in your sight.’
⁵ Oh, how I wish that God would speak,^(MZ)
    that he would open his lips against you
⁶ and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom,^(NA)
    for true wisdom has two sides.
    Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.^(NB)

⁷ “Can you fathom^(NC) the mysteries of God?
    Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
⁸ They are higher^(ND) than the heavens^(NE) above—what can you do?
    They are deeper than the depths below^(NF)—what can you know?^(NG)
9 Their measure^(NH) is longer than the earth
    and wider than the sea.^(NI)

¹⁰ “If he comes along and confines you in prison
    and convenes a court, who can oppose him?^(NJ)
11 Surely he recognizes deceivers;
    and when he sees evil, does he not take note?^(NK)
12 But the witless can no more become wise
    than a wild donkey’s colt^(NL) can be born human.^[j](NM)

¹³ “Yet if you devote your heart^(NN) to him
    and stretch out your hands^(NO) to him,^(NP)
14 if you put away^(NQ) the sin that is in your hand
    and allow no evil^(NR) to dwell in your tent,^(NS)
15 then, free of fault, you will lift up your face;^(NT)
    you will stand firm^(NU) and without fear.^(NV)
16 You will surely forget your trouble,^(NW)
    recalling it only as waters gone by.^(NX)
17 Life will be brighter than noonday,^(NY)
    and darkness will become like morning.^(NZ)
18 You will be secure, because there is hope;
    you will look about you and take your rest^(OA) in safety.^(OB)
19 You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid,^(OC)
    and many will court your favor.^(OD)
20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail,^(OE)
    and escape will elude them;^(OF)
    their hope will become a dying gasp.”^(OG)

² “Doubtless you are the only people who matter,
    and wisdom will die with you!^(OH)
3 But I have a mind as well as you;
    I am not inferior to you.
    Who does not know all these things?^(OI)

⁴ “I have become a laughingstock^(OJ) to my friends,^(OK)
    though I called on God and he answered^(OL)—
    a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!^(OM)
5 Those who are at ease have contempt^(ON) for misfortune
    as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.^(OO)
6 The tents of marauders are undisturbed,^(OP)
    and those who provoke God are secure^(OQ)—
    those God has in his hand.^[k]

⁷ “But ask the animals, and they will teach you,^(OR)
    or the birds in the sky,^(OS) and they will tell you;^(OT)
8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
    or let the fish in the sea inform you.
⁹ Which of all these does not know^(OU)
    that the hand of the Lord has done this?^(OV)
10 In his hand is the life^(OW) of every creature
    and the breath of all mankind.^(OX)
11 Does not the ear test words
    as the tongue tastes food?^(OY)
12 Is not wisdom found among the aged?^(OZ)
    Does not long life bring understanding?^(PA)

¹³ “To God belong wisdom^(PB) and power;^(PC)
    counsel and understanding are his.^(PD)
14 What he tears down^(PE) cannot be rebuilt;^(PF)
    those he imprisons cannot be released.^(PG)
15 If he holds back the waters,^(PH) there is drought;^(PI)
    if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.^(PJ)
16 To him belong strength and insight;^(PK)
    both deceived and deceiver are his.^(PL)
17 He leads rulers away stripped^(PM)
    and makes fools of judges.^(PN)
18 He takes off the shackles^(PO) put on by kings
    and ties a loincloth^[l] around their waist.^(PP)
19 He leads priests away stripped^(PQ)
    and overthrows officials long established.^(PR)
20 He silences the lips of trusted advisers
    and takes away the discernment of elders.^(PS)
21 He pours contempt on nobles^(PT)
    and disarms the mighty.^(PU)
22 He reveals the deep things of darkness^(PV)
    and brings utter darkness^(PW) into the light.^(PX)
23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;^(PY)
    he enlarges nations,^(PZ) and disperses them.^(QA)
24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;^(QB)
    he makes them wander in a trackless waste.^(QC)
25 They grope in darkness with no light;^(QD)
    he makes them stagger like drunkards.^(QE)

13 “My eyes have seen all this,^(QF)
    my ears have heard and understood it.
² What you know, I also know;
    I am not inferior to you.^(QG)
3 But I desire to speak to the Almighty^(QH)
    and to argue my case with God.^(QI)
4 You, however, smear me with lies;^(QJ)
    you are worthless physicians,^(QK) all of you!^(QL)
5 If only you would be altogether silent!^(QM)
    For you, that would be wisdom.^(QN)
6 Hear now my argument;
    listen to the pleas of my lips.^(QO)
7 Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf?
    Will you speak deceitfully for him?^(QP)
8 Will you show him partiality?^(QQ)
    Will you argue the case for God?
⁹ Would it turn out well if he examined you?^(QR)
    Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?^(QS)
10 He would surely call you to account
    if you secretly showed partiality.^(QT)
11 Would not his splendor^(QU) terrify you?
    Would not the dread of him fall on you?^(QV)
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;
    your defenses are defenses of clay.^(QW)

¹³ “Keep silent^(QX) and let me speak;^(QY)
    then let come to me what may.^(QZ)
14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy
    and take my life in my hands?^(RA)
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope^(RB) in him;^(RC)
    I will surely^[m] defend my ways to his face.^(RD)
16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,^(RE)
    for no godless^(RF) person would dare come before him!^(RG)
17 Listen carefully to what I say;^(RH)
    let my words ring in your ears.
¹⁸ Now that I have prepared my case,^(RI)
    I know I will be vindicated.^(RJ)
19 Can anyone bring charges against me?^(RK)
    If so, I will be silent^(RL) and die.^(RM)

²⁰ “Only grant me these two things, God,
    and then I will not hide from you:
²¹ Withdraw your hand^(RN) far from me,
    and stop frightening me with your terrors.^(RO)
22 Then summon me and I will answer,^(RP)
    or let me speak, and you reply to me.^(RQ)
23 How many wrongs and sins have I committed?^(RR)
    Show me my offense and my sin.^(RS)
24 Why do you hide your face^(RT)
    and consider me your enemy?^(RU)
25 Will you torment^(RV) a windblown leaf?^(RW)
    Will you chase^(RX) after dry chaff?^(RY)
26 For you write down bitter things against me
    and make me reap the sins of my youth.^(RZ)
27 You fasten my feet in shackles;^(SA)
    you keep close watch on all my paths^(SB)
    by putting marks on the soles of my feet.