The LORD asked Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on earth. The man is blameless as well as upright. He fears God and keeps away from evil. He remains firm in his integrity, even though you have been urging me to overwhelm him without cause."

For the dreaded thing that I feared has happened to me, what caused me to worry has engulfed me.

""Please remember that you've made me like clay and you'll return me to dust.

You've accused me of bitter things; you've caused me to reap the sins of my youth.

You've arrested me, making me testify against myself! My leanness rises up to attack me, accusing me to my face.

"He tore me apart when I was at ease; grabbing me by my neck, he shook me to pieces then he really made me his target.

"Therefore my anxious thoughts cause me to answer because I'm agitated within me.

God has caused me to faint; the Almighty makes me terrified!

Far be it from me to admit that you're right! I intend to maintain my integrity even if it kills me!

"A wretched crowd ambushes me to my right; they trip my feet; they build up their path of calamity for me.

because I'm filled with things to say, and my spirit within me compels me to speak.

Who can take me to court and be reconciled to me? All of heaven is mine.