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Then Iyov answered and said:
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“Truly I know that it is so, but how can mortal man be righteous before El?
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If one desired to contend with Him, he could not answer Him one matter out of a thousand.
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Wise of heart and mighty in power— who hardened himself against Him and remained whole?
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He removes mountains, and they do not know it, when He overturns them in His anger.
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He shakes the earth from its place, and its pillars tremble.
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He commands the sun, and it does not rise; and He seals around the stars.
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He alone stretches out the heavens and treads upon the heights of the sea.
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He made Ash, Kesil, and Kimah, and the chambers of the south.
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He does great things beyond searching and wonders without number.
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See, He passes by me, but I do not see; He crosses over, but I do not discern Him.
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See, He tears away—who can turn Him back? Who can say to Him, ‘What are You doing?’
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Eloah does not turn back His anger; the helpers of Rahav bow beneath Him.
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How much less could I answer Him or choose my words with Him?
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Though I were righteous, I could not answer; I would plead for favor from my Judge.
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If I called and He answered me, I would not believe that He had given ear to my voice.
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For He bruises me with a storm and multiplies my wounds without cause.
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He does not permit me to return my ruach, but fills me with bitterness.
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If the matter is strength—see, He is mighty. If Judgment—who shall appoint me a time with Him?
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Though I were righteous, my mouth would condemn me; though I were complete, it would declare me twisted.
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I am complete, yet I do not know my being; I reject my life.
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It is one matter; therefore I say, ‘He completes the complete and the wicked.’
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If a scourge suddenly puts to death, He laughs at the testing of the innocent.
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The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; He covers the faces of its judges. If it is not He, then who is it?
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My days are swifter than a runner; they flee and do not see good.
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They pass with ships of reed, as an eagle swoops upon food.
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If I say, ‘I shall forget my complaint; I shall leave my face and brighten,’
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I am afraid of all my pains; I know that You shall not hold me innocent.
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I am condemned; why then do I labor for vapor?
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If I washed myself with snow-water and purified my hands with lye,
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then You would plunge me into a pit, and my garments would abhor me.
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For He is not an ish like me, that I might answer Him, that we might enter Judgment together.
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There is no mediator between us who could set his hand upon us both.
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Let Him remove His staff from me, and let His terror not frighten me.
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Then I would speak and not fear Him; but I am not so within myself.