And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt-offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and renounced God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil.

and he said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: Jehovah gave, and Jehovah hath taken away; blessed be the name of Jehovah.

And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil: and he still holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

Because it shut not up the doors of my mother's womb, Nor hid trouble from mine eyes.

Why died I not from the womb? Why did I not give up the ghost when my mother bare me?

Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breast, that I should suck?

For my sighing cometh before I eat, And my groanings are poured out like water.

For the thing which I fear cometh upon me, And that which I am afraid of cometh unto me.

Now a thing was secretly brought to me, And mine ear received a whisper thereof.

Fear came upon me, and trembling, Which made all my bones to shake.

Then a spirit passed before my face; The hair of my flesh stood up.

But as for me, I would seek unto God, And unto God would I commit my cause;

Oh that my vexation were but weighed, And all my calamity laid in the balances!

For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas: Therefore have my words been rash.

For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, The poison whereof my spirit drinketh up: The terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

My soul refuseth to touch them ; They are as loathsome food to me.

Oh that I might have my request; And that God would grant me the thing that I long for!

Even that it would please God to crush me; That he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

And be it still my consolation, Yea, let me exult in pain that spareth not, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is mine end, that I should be patient?

Is my strength the strength of stones? Or is my flesh of brass?

Is it not that I have no help in me, And that wisdom is driven quite from me?

My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, As the channel of brooks that pass away;

Did I say, Give unto me? Or, Offer a present for me of your substance?

Or, Deliver me from the adversary's hand? Or, Redeem me from the hand of the oppressors?

Teach me, and I will hold my peace; And cause me to understand wherein I have erred.

Now therefore be pleased to look upon me; For surely I shall not lie to your face.

Return, I pray you, let there be no injustice; Yea, return again, my cause is righteous.

Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my taste discern mischievous things?

So am I made to possess months of misery, And wearisome nights are appointed to me.

My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; My skin closeth up, and breaketh out afresh.

My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, And are spent without hope.

Oh remember that my life is a breath: Mine eye shall no more see good.

The eye of him that seeth me shall behold me no more; Thine eyes shall be upon me, but I shall not be.

Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.

Am I a sea, or a sea-monster, That thou settest a watch over me?

When I say, My bed shall comfort me, My couch shall ease my complaint;

Then thou scarest me with dreams, And terrifiest me through visions:

So that my soul chooseth strangling, And death rather than these my bones.

I loathe my life ; I would not live alway: Let me alone; for my days are vanity.

How long wilt thou not look away from me, Nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle?

If I have sinned, what do I unto thee, O thou watcher of men? Why hast thou set me as a mark for thee, So that I am a burden to myself?

And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity? For now shall I lie down in the dust; And thou wilt seek me diligently, but I shall not be.

Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: He passeth on also, but I perceive him not.

How much less shall I answer him, And choose out my words to reason with him?

Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer; I would make supplication to my judge.

If I had called, and he had answered me, Yet would I not believe that he hearkened unto my voice.

For he breaketh me with a tempest, And multiplieth my wounds without cause.

He will not suffer me to take my breath, But filleth me with bitterness.

If we speak of strength, lo, he is mighty! And if of justice, Who,'saith he , will summon me?

Though I be righteous, mine own mouth shall condemn me: Though I be perfect, it shall prove me perverse.

I am perfect; I regard not myself; I despise my life.

Now my days are swifter than a post: They flee away, they see no good,

If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will put off my'sad countenance, and be of good cheer;

I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.

If I wash myself with snow water, And make my hands never so clean;

Yet wilt thou plunge me in the ditch, And mine own clothes shall abhor me.

Let him take his rod away from me, And let not his terror make me afraid:

My soul is weary of my life; I will give free course to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.

I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; Show me wherefore thou contendest with me.

That thou inquirest after mine iniquity, And searchest after my sin,

Thy hands have framed me and fashioned me Together round about; yet thou dost destroy me.

Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast fashioned me as clay; And wilt thou bring me into dust again?

Hast thou not poured me out as milk, And curdled me like cheese?

Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, And knit me together with bones and sinews.

Thou hast granted me life and lovingkindness; And thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.

If I sin, then thou markest me, And thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.

If I be wicked, woe unto me; And if I be righteous, yet shall I not lift up my head; Being filled with ignominy, And looking upon mine affliction.

And if my head exalt itself, thou huntest me as a lion; And again thou showest thyself marvellous upon me.

Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, And increasest thine indignation upon me: Changes and warfare are with me.

Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me.

Are not my days few? cease then, And let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,

For thou sayest, My doctrine is pure, And I am clean in thine eyes.

Hear now my reasoning, And hearken to the pleadings of my lips.

Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak; And let come on me what will.

Wherefore should I take my flesh in my teeth, And put my life in my hand?

Behold, he will slay me; I have no hope: Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him.

This also shall be my salvation, That a godless man shall not come before him.

Hear diligently my speech, And let my declaration be in your ears.

Behold now, I have set my cause in order; I know that I am righteous.

Who is he that will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the ghost.

Only do not two things unto me; Then will I not hide myself from thy face:

Withdraw thy hand far from me; And let not thy terror make me afraid.

Then call thou, and I will answer; Or let me speak, and answer thou me.

How many are mine iniquities and sins? Make me to know my transgression and my sin.

Wherefore hidest thou thy face, And holdest me for thine enemy?

For thou writest bitter things against me, And makest me to inherit the iniquities of my youth:

Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, And markest all my paths; Thou settest a bound to the soles of my feet:

And dost thou open thine eyes upon such a one, And bringest me into judgment with thee?

Look away from him, that he may rest, Till he shall accomplish, as a hireling, his day.

Oh that thou wouldest hide me in Sheol, That thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, That thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!

If a man die, shall he live again ? All the days of my warfare would I wait, Till my release should come.

But now thou numberest my steps: Dost thou not watch over my sin?

My transgression is sealed up in a bag, And thou fastenest up mine iniquity.

I will show thee, hear thou me; And that which I have seen I will declare:

I also could speak as ye do; If your soul were in my soul's stead, I could join words together against you, And shake my head at you.

But I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the solace of my lips would assuage your grief .

Though I speak, my grief is not assuaged; And though I forbear, what am I eased?

But now he hath made me weary: Thou hast made desolate all my company.