Satan answered the LORD, and said, "Skin for skin? Yea, a man will give all that ever he hath, for his life.

"If we begin to commune with thee, peradventure thou wilt be discontent; but who can withhold himself from speaking?

But now will I speak of the LORD, and talk of God:

Doth the wild ass roar when he hath grass? Or crieth the ox, when he hath fodder enough?

Then should I have some comfort: yea, I would desire him in my pain, that he should not spare, for I will not be against the words of the holy one.

Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and wherein I have erred, cause me to understand.

Therefore I will not spare my mouth, but will speak in the trouble of my spirit; in that bitterness of my mind will I talk.

"How long wilt thou talk of such things? How long shall thy mouth speak so proud words?

They shall show thee, they shall tell thee, yea they will gladly confess the same.

"Behold, God will not cast away a virtuous man, neither will he help the ungodly.

If he will argue with him, he shall not be able to answer him unto one among a thousand.

If he be hasty to take anything away, who will make him restore it again? Who will say unto him, 'What doest thou?'

Yea though I be righteous, yet will I not give him one word again, but meekly submit myself to my judge.

He will not let my spirit be in rest, but filleth me with bitterness.

If men will speak of strength, he is the strongest of all; if men will speak of righteousness, who dare be my record?

If I will justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me; if I will put forth my self for a perfect man, he shall prove me a wicked doer.

"This one thing will I say: He destroyeth both the righteous and ungodly.

And though he slay suddenly with the scourge, yet will he laugh at the punishment of the innocent.

Then am I afraid of all my works, for I know thou wilt not judge me innocent.

It grieveth my soul to live. Nevertheless, now will I put forth my words: I will speak out of the very heaviness of my soul,

and will say unto God: O do not condemn me; but show me the cause, wherefore thou contendest so with me.

"Thy hands have made me, and fashioned me altogether round about. Wilt thou then destroy me suddenly?

Should men give ear unto thee only? Thou wilt laugh other men to scorn; and shall nobody mock thee again?

Wilt thou say unto God, 'The thing that I take in hand is perfect, and I am clean in thy sight'?

"Wilt thou find out God with thy seeking? Wilt thou attain to the perfectness of the Almighty?

He is higher than heaven; what wilt thou do? Deeper than hell; how wilt thou then know him?

A vain body exalteth himself, and man, newborn, is like a wild ass's colt.

If he break down a thing, who can set it up again? If he shut a thing, who will open it?

Will ye make an answer for God with lies, and maintain him with deceit?

Will ye accept the person of God, or will ye contend with him?

Lo, though he slay me, yet will I put my trust in him. But if I shew and reprove mine own ways in his sight,

What is he that will go to law with me? For if I hold my tongue, I shall die.

Nevertheless, grant me two things, and then will I not hide myself from thee.

Wilt thou be so cruel and extreme unto a flying leaf, and follow upon dry stubble?

"If a tree be cut down, there is some hope yet, that it will sprout and shoot forth the branches again;

yet when the stock getteth the scent of water, it will bud, and bring forth bows, like as when it was first planted.

"I will tell thee; hear me. I will show thee a thing, that I know;

He will never apply himself to faithfulness and truth, so sore is he deceived with vanity.

"But what shall I do? For all my words, my sorrow will not cease: and though I hold my tongue, yet will it not depart from me.

The righteous also will keep his way, and he that hath clean hands, will ever be stronger and stronger.

What helpeth then my long tarrying? Or, who will fulfill the thing that I look for?

"When will ye make an end of your words? Mark well, and consider, we will speak also.

"How long will ye vex my mind, and trouble me with words?

But if ye will enhance yourselves against me, and accuse me to be a wicked person because of the shame that is come upon me;

But beware of the sword, for the sword will be avenged of wickedness. And be sure, that there is a judgment."

Suffer me a little, that I may speak also, and then laugh my words to scorn, if ye will.

Lo, there is utterly no goodness in them, therefore will not I have to do with the counsel of the ungodly.

And though God save their children from such sorrow, yet will he so reward themselves, that they shall know it.

Ask any man that goeth by the way, and - if ye will not regard their tokens and deeds - he shall tell you,

wilt thou therefore say, 'Tush, how should God know? Doth his dominion reach beyond the clouds?

"Well, thou wilt keep the old way, that all wicked men have gone:

For if thou wilt turn to the Almighty, thou shalt stand fast, and all unrighteousness shall be far from thy dwelling:

Will he plead against me with his great power and strength? No, but he will make me the stronger.

My foot doth keep his path; his highway have I holden, and will not go out of it.

"It is he, himself, alone. Who will turn him back? He doth as him listeth, and bringeth to pass what he will.

Considering then that there is no time hid from the Almighty, how happeneth it, that they which know him, will not regard his days?

Behold, even as the wild asses in the desert go they forth to their work, and rise betimes to spoil: Yea, the very wilderness ministereth food for them and their children. by times, as their manner is, to spoil: Yea the very wilderness ministereth food for their children.

In the night season they search the houses, and hide themselves in the daytime, but will not know the light.

And though they might be safe, yet they will not receive it, for their eyes look upon their own ways.

Is it not so? Who will then reprove me as a liar, and say that my words are nothing worth?"

Where is the counsel that thou shouldest give him, which hath no wisdom? Wilt thou so show thine excellent righteousness?

God forbid, that I should grant your cause to be right! As for me, until mine end come will I never go from my innocence.

My righteous dealing will I keep fast, and not forsake it; for my conscience reproveth me not in all my conversation.

"I will teach you in the name of God: and the thing that I have of the Almighty, will I not keep from you.

Sure I am, that thou wilt deliver me unto death: whereas a lodging is prepared for all men living.

But seeing that God will sit in judgment, what shall I do? And for so much as he will needs visit me, what answer shall I give him?

Therefore will I speak also, insofar as I may be heard, and will show you mine opinion.

Nevertheless, seeing he hath not spoken unto me, therefore will not I answer him as ye have done."

"But insomuch as ye will not speak, standing still like dumb men, and making no answer:

Therefore will I speak, that I may have vent: I will open my lips, and make answer.

I will regard no manner of person, no man will I spare.

Therefore hear my words, O Job, and hearken unto all that I will say:

Behold, I will open my mouth, and my tongue shall speak out of my jaws.

"Behold, unto these unreasonable words of thine will I make answer. Should God be reproved of man?

If he deliver and grant pardon, who will judge or condemn? But if he hide away his countenance, who will turn it about again, whether it be to the people or to any man?

"For so much as I have begun to talk of God, I will not hinder thee;

If I have gone amiss, inform me: if I have done wrong, I will leave off.

Wilt thou not give a reasonable answer? Art thou afraid of anything, seeing thou begannest first to speak, and not I?

For thou sayest, 'What advantage will it be unto thee, and what profit shall thou have of my sin?'

Therefore will I give answer unto thee and thy friends.

I will open unto thee yet more of mine understanding, and prove my maker righteous.

If they now will take heed and be obedient, they shall wear out their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasure and joy.

But if they will not obey, they shall go through the sword, and perish before they be aware.

Even so shall he keep thee - if thou wilt be content - from the bottomless pit that is beneath: and if thou wilt hold the quiet, he shall fill thy table with plenteousness.

Who will reprove him of his way? Who will say unto him, 'Thou hast done wrong?'

Gird up thy loins like a man, for I will question thee, see thou give me a direct answer.

Knowest thou the time when the wild goats bring forth their young among the stony rocks? Or layest thou wait when the hinds use to fawn?

Who letteth the wild ass go free, or who looseth the bonds of the mule?

Will the unicorn be so tame as to do the service, or to abide still by thy crib?

Mayest thou believe him, that he will bring home thy corn, or to carry anything unto thy barn?

She remembereth not that they might be trodden with feet or broken with some wild beast.

"Behold, I am too vile a person to answer thee, therefore will I lay my hand upon my mouth.

Once or twice have I spoken, but I will say no more."

Gird up thy loins like a man, and tell me the things that I will ask thee.

Wilt thou disannul my judgment? Or wilt thou condemn me, that thou thyself mayest be made righteous?

Then will I confess also, that thy own righthand hath saved thee.

Will he make many fair words with thee, thinkest thou, or flatter thee?

Will he make a covenant with thee? Or art thou able to compel him to do thee continual service?

Wilt thou take thy pastime with him as with a bird? Or give him unto thy maidens,

I will not keep secret his great strength, his power, nor his comely proportion.