Some time later, when his children were celebrating in their oldest brother's house,

a messenger approached Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the female donkeys were grazing nearby

While this messenger was still speaking, another came and announced, "A lightning storm struck and incinerated the flock and the servants while they were eating. I alone escaped to tell you!"

While this messenger was still speaking, another came and announced, "Your children were celebrating in their oldest brother's house

Why was there a lap to hold me, and why were there breasts to nurse me?

In that place, those who once were prisoners will be at ease together; they won't hear the voice of oppressors.

how much less confidence does he have in those who dwell in houses of clay; who were formed from a foundation in dust and can perish like a moth?

"Now as for me, I would seek God if I were you; I would commit my case to God.

They meet with darkness in broad daylight; at noonday they grope around as if it were night.

If one were to seek to argue with him, he won't be able to answer him even once in a thousand times.

"If he were to pass near me, I wouldn't notice; if he moves by, I wouldn't perceive him.

"Were I to be summoned, and he were to answer me, I wouldn't even believe that he was listening to what I have to say.

If I were to say, "Let me forget my complaint,' change the expression on my face, and look cheerful,

"But what if God were to speak? What if he were to talk with you,

"Were you the first personto be born? Were you brought forth before the hills were made?

"I could also talk like you if only you were in my place! Then I would put together an argument against you. I would shake my head at you

"If my hope were that my house is the afterlife itself, if I were to make my bed in darkness,

If only my words were written down; if only they were inscribed in a book

Though his bones were full of youthful vigor; yet they will lie down with him in the dust.

who were snatched away before their time; when their foundation was swept away by a river?

If this weren't so, who can prove that I'm a liar by showing that there's nothing to what I'm saying?"

"I wish I could go back to how things were a few months ago; when God used to watch over me,

"The Almighty was still with me back then, and my children were still around me.

The voices of the commanders-in-chief were hushed, and their tongues would cling to the roofs of their mouths."

because I delivered the poor who were crying for help, along with orphans who had no one to help them.

Those who were about to die blessed me, and I made widows sing for joy.

I put on righteousness like clothing; my just decisions were like a robe and a turban.

Driven away from human company, they were shouted at as though they were thieves.

(even a poor man had grown up with me as if I were his father, and even though I had guided the widow from the time I was born),

"If my land were to cry out against me or if all its furrows wept as one,

Elihu waited to have a word with Job, since the others were older than he,

Indeed, I paid close attention to you all, but none of you were able to refute Job or answer his arguments convincingly.

since I don't know the first thing about how to flatter; and the one who made me would sweep me away as if I were nothing."

If he were to decide to do so, that is, to take back to himself his spirit and breath of life,

"Where were you when I laid the foundation of my earth? Tell me, since you're so informed!

On what were its bases set? Who laid its corner stone