And Jehovah saith unto the Adversary, 'Whence comest thou?' And the Adversary answereth Jehovah and saith, 'From going to and fro in the land, and from walking up and down on it.'

And Jehovah saith unto the Adversary, 'Hast thou set thy heart against My servant Job because there is none like him in the land, a man perfect and upright, fearing God, and turning aside from evil?'

Hast not Thou made a hedge for him, and for his house, and for all that he hath -- round about?

The work of his hands Thou hast blessed, and his substance hath spread in the land, and yet, put forth, I pray Thee, Thy hand, and strike against anything that he hath -- if not: to Thy face he doth bless Thee!'

And Jehovah saith unto the Adversary, 'Whence camest thou?' And the Adversary answereth Jehovah and saith, 'From going to and fro in the land, and from walking up and down in it.'

And Jehovah saith unto the Adversary, 'Hast thou set thy heart unto My servant Job because there is none like him in the land, a man perfect and upright, fearing God and turning aside from evil? and still he is keeping hold on his integrity, and thou dost move Me against him to swallow him up for nought!'

And his wife saith to him, 'Still thou art keeping hold on thine integrity: bless God and die.'

And he saith unto her, 'As one of the foolish women speaketh, thou speakest; yea, the good we receive from God, and the evil we do not receive.' In all this Job hath not sinned with his lips.

Hath one tried a word with thee? -- Thou art weary! And to keep in words who is able?

Lo, thou hast instructed many, And feeble hands thou makest strong.

The stumbling one do thy words raise up, And bowing knees thou dost strengthen.

But now, it cometh in unto thee, And thou art weary; It striketh unto thee, and thou art troubled.

Pray, call, is there any to answer thee? And unto which of the holy ones dost thou turn?

When the tongue scourgeth thou art hid, And thou art not afraid of destruction, When it cometh.

At destruction and at hunger thou mockest, And of the beast of the earth, Thou art not afraid.

And thou hast known that thy tent is peace, And inspected thy habitation, and errest not,

Thou comest in full age unto the grave, As the going up of a stalk in its season.

Lo, this -- we searched it out -- it is right, hearken; And thou, know for thyself!

Remember Thou that my life is a breath, Mine eye turneth not back to see good.

A sea -monster am I, or a dragon, That thou settest over me a guard?

And thou hast affrighted me with dreams, And from visions thou terrifiest me,

What is man that Thou dost magnify him? And that Thou settest unto him Thy heart?

How long dost Thou not look from me? Thou dost not desist till I swallow my spittle.

I have sinned, what do I to Thee, O watcher of man? Why hast Thou set me for a mark to Thee, And I am for a burden to myself -- and what?

Thou dost not take away my transgression, And cause to pass away mine iniquity, Because now, for dust I lie down: And Thou hast sought me -- and I am not!

Till when dost thou speak these things? And a strong wind -- sayings of thy mouth?

If thou dost seek early unto God, And unto the Mighty makest supplication,

If pure and upright thou art, Surely now He waketh for thee, And hath completed The habitation of thy righteousness.

Lo, He snatches away, who bringeth it back? Who saith unto Him, 'What dost Thou?'

I have been afraid of all my griefs, I have known that Thou dost not acquit me.

Then in corruption Thou dost dip me, And my garments have abominated me.

I say unto God, 'Do not condemn me, Let me know why Thou dost strive with me.

Is it good for Thee that Thou dost oppress? That Thou despisest the labour of Thy hands, And on the counsel of the wicked hast shone?

Eyes of flesh hast Thou? As man seeth -- seest Thou?

That Thou inquirest for mine iniquity, And for my sin seekest?

For Thou knowest that I am not wicked, And there is no deliverer from Thy hand.

Thy hands have taken pains about me, And they make me together round about, And Thou swallowest me up!

Remember, I pray Thee, That as clay Thou hast made me, And unto dust Thou dost bring me back.

Dost Thou not as milk pour me out? And as cheese curdle me?

Skin and flesh Thou dost put on me, And with bones and sinews dost fence me.

Life and kindness Thou hast done with me. And Thy inspection hath preserved my spirit.

And these Thou hast laid up in Thy heart, I have known that this is with Thee.

If I sinned, then Thou hast observed me, And from mine iniquity dost not acquit me,

And it riseth -- as a lion Thou huntest me. And Thou turnest back -- Thou shewest Thyself wonderful in me.

Thou renewest Thy witnesses against me, And dost multiply Thine anger with me, Changes and warfare are with me.

And why from the womb Hast Thou brought me forth? I expire, and the eye doth not see me.

Thy devices make men keep silent, Thou scornest, and none is causing blushing!

And thou sayest, 'Pure is my discourse, And clean I have been in Thine eyes.'

And declare to thee secrets of wisdom, For counsel hath foldings. And know thou that God forgetteth for thee, Some of thine iniquity.

By searching dost thou find out God? Unto perfection find out the Mighty One?

Heights of the heavens! -- what dost thou? Deeper than Sheol! -- what knowest thou?

If thou -- thou hast prepared thy heart, And hast spread out unto Him thy hands,

For then thou liftest up thy face from blemish, And thou hast been firm, and fearest not.

For thou dost forget misery, As waters passed away thou rememberest.

And above the noon doth age rise, Thou fliest -- as the morning thou art.

And thou hast trusted because their is hope, And searched -- in confidence thou liest down,

And thou hast rested, And none is causing trembling, And many have entreated thy face;

And call Thou, and I -- I answer, Or -- I speak, and answer Thou me.

Why dost Thou hide Thy face? And reckonest me for an enemy to Thee?

A leaf driven away dost Thou terrify? And the dry stubble dost Thou pursue?

For Thou writest against me bitter things, And causest me to possess iniquities of my youth:

And puttest in the stocks my feet, And observest all my paths, On the roots of my feet Thou settest a print,

Also -- on this Thou hast opened Thine eyes, And dost bring me into judgment with Thee.

If determined are his days, The number of his months are with Thee, His limit Thou hast made, And he passeth not over;

O that in Sheol Thou wouldest conceal me, Hide me till the turning of Thine anger, Set for me a limit, and remember me.

Thou dost call, and I -- I answer Thee; To the work of Thy hands Thou hast desire.

But now, my steps Thou numberest, Thou dost not watch over my sin.

Sealed up in a bag is my transgression, And Thou sewest up mine iniquity.

Stones have waters worn away, Their outpourings wash away the dust of earth, And the hope of man Thou hast destroyed.

Thou prevailest over him for ever, and he goeth, He is changing his countenance, And Thou sendest him away.

Yea, thou dost make reverence void, And dost diminish meditation before God.

For thy mouth teacheth thine iniquity, And thou chooseth the tongue of the subtile.

The first man art thou born? And before the heights wast thou formed?

Of the secret counsel of God dost thou hear? And withdrawest thou unto thee wisdom?

What hast thou known, and we know not? Understandest thou -- and it is not with us?

For thou turnest against God thy spirit? And hast brought out words from thy mouth:

Is there an end to words of wind? Or what doth embolden thee that thou answerest?

Only, now, it hath wearied me; Thou hast desolated all my company,

And Thou dost loathe me, For a witness it hath been, And rise up against me doth my failure, In my face it testifieth.

O earth, do not thou cover my blood! And let there not be a place for my cry.

For their heart Thou hast hidden From understanding, Therefore Thou dost not exalt them.

To corruption I have called: -- 'Thou art my father.' 'My mother' and 'my sister' -- to the worm.

This hast thou known from antiquity? Since the placing of man on earth?

Is it a delight to the Mighty One That thou art righteous? is it gain, That thou makest perfect thy ways?

For thou takest a pledge of thy brother for nought, And the garments of the naked Thou dost strip off.

Thou causest not the weary to drink water, And from the hungry thou withholdest bread.

Widows thou hast sent away empty, And the arms of the fatherless are bruised.

Or darkness -- thou dost not see, And abundance of waters doth cover thee.

And thou hast said, 'What -- hath God known? Through thickness doth He judge?

The path of the age dost thou observe, That men of iniquity have trodden?

If thou dost return unto the Mighty Thou art built up, Thou puttest iniquity far from thy tents.

For then on the Mighty thou delightest thyself, And dost lift up unto God thy face,

Thou dost make supplication unto Him, And He doth hear thee, And thy vows thou completest.

And thou decreest a saying, And it is established to thee, And on thy ways hath light shone.

For they have made low, And thou sayest, 'Lift up.' And the bowed down of eyes he saveth.

What -- thou hast helped the powerless, Saved an arm not strong!

What -- thou hast given counsel to the unwise, And wise plans in abundance made known.

With whom hast thou declared words? And whose breath came forth from thee?

I cry unto Thee, And Thou dost not answer me, I have stood, and Thou dost consider me.

Thou art turned to be fierce to me, With the strength of Thy hand, Thou oppressest me.