Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing?

who wait for death, but it does not come,
and search for it more than for hidden treasure,

For distress does not grow out of the soil,
and trouble does not sprout from the ground.

He does great and unsearchable things,
wonders without number.

Does a wild donkey bray over fresh grass
or an ox low over its fodder?

How painful honest words can be!
But what does your rebuke prove?

Does God pervert justice?
Does the Almighty pervert what is right?

Does papyrus grow where there is no marsh?
Do reeds flourish without water?

He leans on his web, but it doesn’t stand firm.
He grabs it, but it does not hold up.

Look, God does not reject a person of integrity,
and He will not support evildoers.

God does not hold back His anger;
Rahab’s assistants cringe in fear beneath Him!

He doesn’t let me catch my breath
but soaks me with bitter experiences.

But I also have a mind;
I am not inferior to you.
Who doesn’t know the things you are talking about?

Which of all these does not know
that the hand of the Lord has done this?

Doesn’t the ear test words
as the palate tastes food?

He blossoms like a flower, then withers;
he flees like a shadow and does not last.

If his sons receive honor, he does not know it;
if they become insignificant, he is unaware of it.

Does a wise man answer with empty counsel
or fill himself with the hot east wind?

He doesn’t believe he will return from darkness;
he is destined for the sword.

Yes, the light of the wicked is extinguished;
the flame of his fire does not glow.

Indeed, such is the dwelling of the unjust man,
and this is the place of the one who does not know God.

I call for my servant, but he does not answer,
even if I beg him with my own mouth.

Why do you persecute me as God does?
Will you never get enough of my flesh?

He must return the fruit of his labor without consuming it;
he doesn’t enjoy the profits from his trading.

Because his appetite is never satisfied,
he does not let anything he desires escape.

How often is the lamp of the wicked put out?
Does disaster come on them?
Does He apportion destruction in His anger?

For what does he care about his family once he is dead,
when the number of his months has run out?

Does it delight the Almighty if you are righteous?
Does He profit if you perfect your behavior?

Does He correct you and take you to court
because of your piety?

Yet you say: “What does God know?
Can He judge through thick darkness?

But He is unchangeable; who can oppose Him?
He does what He desires.

Why does the Almighty not reserve times for judgment?
Why do those who know Him never see His days?

Can His troops be numbered?
Does His light not shine on everyone?

If even the moon does not shine
and the stars are not pure in His sight,

For what hope does the godless man have when he is cut off,
when God takes away his life?

Where then does wisdom come from,
and where is understanding located?

Doesn’t disaster come to the unjust
and misfortune to evildoers?

Does He not see my ways
and number all my steps?

God certainly does all these things
two or three times to a man

Doesn’t the ear test words
as the palate tastes food?

Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly
and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

God is not partial to princes
and does not favor the rich over the poor,
for they are all the work of His hands.

God does not need to examine a person further,
that one should approach Him in court.

For you ask, “What does it profit You,
and what benefit comes to me, if I do not sin?”

If you sin, how does it affect God?
If you multiply your transgressions, what does it do to Him?

If you are righteous, what do you give Him,
or what does He receive from your hand?

There they cry out, but He does not answer,
because of the pride of evil men.

Indeed, God does not listen to empty cries,
and the Almighty does not take note of it—

But now, because God’s anger does not punish
and He does not pay attention to transgression,

He does not keep the wicked alive,
but He gives justice to the afflicted.

He does not remove His gaze from the righteous,
but He seats them forever with enthroned kings,
and they are exalted.

Then there comes a roaring sound;
God thunders with His majestic voice.
He does not restrain the lightning
when His rumbling voice is heard.

God thunders marvelously with His voice;
He does great things that we cannot comprehend.

Therefore, men fear Him.
He does not look favorably on any who are wise in heart.

Does the rain have a father?
Who fathered the drops of dew?

He laughs at fear, since he is afraid of nothing;
he does not run from the sword.

Does the hawk take flight by your understanding
and spread its wings to the south?

Does the eagle soar at your command
and make its nest on high?

Any hope of capturing him proves false.
Does a person not collapse at the very sight of him?