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Job Talks

Then Job answered, “Yes, I know this is true. But how can a man be right and good before God? If one wished to argue with Him, he would not be able to answer one out of a thousand of His questions. He is wise in heart and powerful in strength. Who has ever stood against Him without being hurt? It is He Who takes away the mountains without their knowing it, when He destroys them in His anger. He shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars shake. He tells the sun not to shine, and He keeps the stars from shining. He alone spreads out the heavens and walks upon the waves of the sea. He makes the Bear, Orion and the Pleiades and the stars of the south. 10 He does things too great for us to understand, and more wonderful works than we can number. 11 When He passes by me, I do not see Him. When He goes by me, I do not know Him. 12 If He takes away, who can stop Him? Who could say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’

13 “God will not stop His anger. The helpers of Rahab bow under Him. 14 How then can I answer Him, and choose the right words to speak with Him? 15 Even if I am right, I cannot answer Him. I must beg Him who is against me to have pity. 16 If I called and He answered me, I could not believe that He was listening to my voice. 17 For He crushes me with a storm, and hurts me more and more without a reason. 18 He will not let me get my breath, but fills me with much that is bitter. 19 If it is a question of power, see, He is the strong one! If it is a question of what is right and fair, who can call Him to a trial? 20 Even if I were right, my mouth would say that I am guilty. Even if I were without blame, He would say I am guilty. 21 Even though I am without blame, I do not care about myself. I hate my life. 22 It is all the same, so I say, ‘He destroys both those who are without blame and the sinful.’ 23 If death comes fast by disease, He makes fun of the trouble of those who have done no wrong. 24 The earth is given into the hand of the sinful. He covers the faces of its judges. If it is not He, then who is it?

25 “My days go faster than a runner. They fly away, and see no good. 26 They go by like fast boats, like an eagle coming down to catch its food. 27 If I say, ‘I will forget my complaining. I will put off my sad face and be happy,’ 28 I am still afraid of all my pains for I know You will not take away my guilt. 29 Because I am already guilty, why should I try for nothing? 30 If I wash myself with snow and clean my hands using the best soap, 31 You would still throw me down into a deep hole. And my own clothes would hate me. 32 For He is not a man, as I am, that I may answer Him, that we might go to trial together. 33 There is no one to decide between us, who might lay his hand upon us both. 34 Let Him stop punishing me. And do not let fear of Him make me so afraid. 35 Then I would speak and not be afraid of Him. But I am not like that in myself.