The Bible (Old and New Testaments)

For I shall not answer a man that is like myself: nor one that may be heard with me equally in judgment.

There is none that may be able to reprove both, and to put his hand between both.

Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me.

I will speak, and will not fear him: for I cannot answer while I am in fear.

My soul is weary of my life, I will let go my speech against myself, I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.

I will say to God: Do not condemn me: tell me why thou judgest me so?

Doth it seem good to thee that thou shouldst calumniate me, and oppress me, the work of thy own hands, and help the counsel of the wicked?

Hast thou eyes of flesh: or, shalt thou see as man seeth?

Are thy days as the days of man, and are thy years as the times of men:

That thou shouldst inquire after my iniquity, and search after my sin?

And shouldst know that I have done no wicked thing, whereas there is no man that can deliver out of thy hand?

Thy hands have made me, and fashioned me wholly round about, and dost thou thus cast me down headlong on a sudden?

Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay, and thou wilt bring me into dust.

Hast thou not milked me as milk, and curdled me like cheese?

Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh: thou hast put me together with bones and sinews:

Thou hast granted me life and mercy, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.

Although thou conceal these things in thy heart, yet I know that thou rememberest all things.

If I have sinned, and thou hast spared me for an hour: why dost thou not suffer me to be clean from my iniquity?

And if I be wicked, woe unto me: and if just, I shall not lift up my head, being filled with affliction and misery.

And for pride thou wilt take me as a lioness, and returning, thou tormentest me wonderfully.

Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and multipliest thy wrath upon me, and pains war against me.

Why didst thou bring me forth out of the womb? O that I had been consumed, that eye might not see me!

I should have been as if I had not been, carried from the womb to the grave.

Shall not the fewness of my days be ended shortly? Suffer me, therefore, that I may lament my sorrow a little:

Before I go and return no more, to a land that is dark and covered with the mist of death:

A land of misery and darkness, where the shadow of death, and no order, but everlasting horror dwelleth.

Then Sophar the Naamathite answered, and said:

Shall not he that speaketh much, hear also? or shall a man full of talk be justified?

Shall men hold their peace to thee only? and when thou hast mocked others, shall no man confute thee?

For thou hast said: My word is pure, and I am clean in thy sight.

And I wish that God would speak with thee, and would open his lips to thee,

That he might shew thee the secrets of wisdom, and that his law is manifold, and thou mightest understand that he exacteth much less of thee, than thy iniquity deserveth.

Peradventure thou wilt comprehend the steps of God, and wilt find out the Almighty perfectly?

He is higher than heaven, and what wilt thou do? he is deeper than hell, and how wilt thou know?

The measure of him is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

If he shall overturn all things, or shall press them together, who shall contradict him?

For he knoweth the vanity of men, and when he seeth iniquity, doth he not consider it?

A vain man is lifted up into pride, and thinketh himself born free like a wild ass's colt.

But thou hast hardened thy heart, and hast spread thy hands to him.

If thou wilt put away from thee the iniquity that is in thy hand, and let not injustice remain in thy tabernacle:

Then mayst thou lift up thy face without spot, and thou shalt be steadfast, and shalt not fear.

Thou shalt also forget misery, and remember it only as waters that are passed away.

And brightness like that of the noonday, shall arise to thee at evening: and when thou shalt think thyself consumed, thou shalt rise as the day star.

And thou shalt have confidence, hope being set before thee, and being buried thou shalt sleep secure.

Thou shalt rest, and there shall be none to make thee afraid: and many shall entreat thy face.

But the eyes of the wicked shall decay, and the way to escape shall fail them, and their hope the abomination of the soul.

Then Job answered, and said:

Are you then men alone, and shall wisdom die with you?

I also have a heart as well as you: for who is ignorant of these things, which you know?

He that is mocked by his friends as I, shall call upon God and he will hear him: for the simplicity of the just man is laughed to scorn.

The lamp despised in the thoughts of the rich, is ready for the time appointed.

The tabernacles of robbers abound, and they provoke God boldly; whereas it is he that hath given all into their hands:

But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee: and the birds of the air, and they shall tell thee.

Speak to the earth, and it shall answer thee: and the fishes of the sea shall tell.

Who is ignorant that the hand of the Lord hath made all these things?

In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the spirit of all flesh of man.

Doth not the ear discern words, and the palate of him that eateth, the taste?

In the ancient is wisdom, and in length of days prudence.

With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.

If he pull down, there is no man that can build up: if he shut up a man, there is none that can open.

If he withhold the waters, all things shall be dried up: and if he send them out, they shall overturn the earth.

With him is strength and wisdom: he knoweth both the deceivers, and him that is deceived.

He bringeth counsellors to a foolish end, and judges to insensibility.

He looseth the belt of kings, and girdeth their loins with a cord.

He leadeth away priests without glory, and overthroweth nobles.

He changeth the speech of the true speakers, and taketh away the doctrine of the aged.

He poureth contempt upon princes, and relieveth them that were oppressed.

He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth up to light the shadow of death.

He multiplieth nations, and destroyeth them, and restoreth them again after they were overthrown.

He changeth the heart of the princes of the people of the earth, and deceiveth them that they walk in vain where there is no way.

They shall grope as in the dark, and not in the light, and he shall make them stagger like men that are drunk.

Behold my eye hath seen all these things, and my ear hath heard them, and I have understood them all.

According to your knowledge I also know: neither am I inferior to you.

But yet I will speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.

Having first shewn that you are forgers of lies, and maintainers of perverse opinions.

And I wish you would hold your peace, that you might be thought to be wise men.

Hear ye therefore my reproof, and attend to the judgment of my lips.

Hath God any need of your lie, that you should speak deceitfully for him?

Do you accept this person, and do you endeavour to judge for God?

Or shall it please him, from whom nothing can be concealed? or shall he be deceived as a man, with your deceitful dealings?

He shall reprove you, because in secret you accept his person.

As soon as he shall move himself, he shall trouble you: and his dread shall fall upon you.

Your remembrance shall be compared to ashes, and your necks shall be brought to clay.

Hold your peace a little while, that I may speak whatsoever my mind shall suggest to me.

Why do I tear my flesh with my teeth, and carry my soul in my hands?

Although he should kill me, I will trust in him: but yet I will reprove my ways in his sight.

And he shall be my saviour: for no hypocrite shall come before his presence.

Hear ye my speech, and receive with your ears hidden truths.

If I shall be judged, I know that I shall be found just.

Who is he that will plead against me? let him come: why am I consumed holding my peace?

Two things only do not to me, and then from thy face I shall not be hid:

Withdraw thy hand far from me, and let not thy dread terrify me.

Call me, and I will answer thee: or else I will speak, and do thou answer me.

How many are my iniquities and sins? make me know my crimes and offenses.

Why hidest thou thy face, and thinkest me thy enemy?

Against a leaf, that is carried away with the wind, thou shewest thy power, and thou pursuest a dry straw.

For thou writest bitter things against me, and wilt consume me for the sins of my youth.

Thou hast put my feet in the stocks, and hast observed all my paths, and hast considered the steps of my feet:

Who am to be consumed as rottenness, and as a garment that is motheaten.

Man born of a woman, living for a short time, is filled with many miseries.