His sons used to take turns having banquets at their homes. They would send an invitation to their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

Whenever a round of banqueting was over, Job would send for his children and purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought: Perhaps my children have sinned, having cursed God in their hearts. This was Job’s regular practice.

Now I would certainly be lying down in peace;
I would be asleep.
Then I would be at rest

However, if I were you, I would appeal to God
and would present my case to Him.

For then it would outweigh the sand of the seas!
That is why my words are rash.

If only my request would be granted
and God would provide what I hope for:

that He would decide to crush me,
to unleash His power and cut me off!

It would still bring me comfort,
and I would leap for joy in unrelenting pain
that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.

No doubt you would cast lots for a fatherless child
and negotiate a price to sell your friend.

But now, please look at me;
would I lie to your face?

While still uncut shoots,
they would dry up quicker than any other plant.

If He passes by me, I wouldn’t see Him;
if He goes right by, I wouldn’t recognize Him.

If I summoned Him and He answered me,
I do not believe He would pay attention to what I said.

Even if I were in the right, my own mouth would condemn me;
if I were blameless, my mouth would declare me guilty.

I would still live in terror of all my pains.
I know You will not acquit me.

Then I would speak and not fear Him.
But that is not the case; I am on my own.

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if I sin, You would notice,
and would not acquit me of my wrongdoing.

But if only God would speak
and declare His case against you,

He would show you the secrets of wisdom,
for true wisdom has two sides.
Know then that God has chosen to overlook some of your sin.

If only you would shut up
and let that be your wisdom!

Would you testify unjustly on God’s behalf
or speak deceitfully for Him?

Would you show partiality to Him
or argue the case in His defense?

Would it go well if He examined you?
Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man?

Surely He would rebuke you
if you secretly showed partiality.

Would God’s majesty not terrify you?
Would His dread not fall on you?

If only You would hide me in Sheol
and conceal me until Your anger passes.
If only You would appoint a time for me
and then remember me.

When a man dies, will he come back to life?
If so, I would wait all the days of my struggle
until my relief comes.

You would call, and I would answer You.
You would long for the work of Your hands.

For then You would count my steps
but would not take note of my sin.

My rebellion would be sealed up in a bag,
and You would cover over my iniquity.

If you were in my place I could also talk like you.
I could string words together against you
and shake my head at you.

Instead, I would encourage you with my mouth,
and the consolation from my lips would bring relief.

If you really want to appear superior to me
and would use my disgrace as evidence against me,

I know your thoughts very well,
the schemes you would wrong me with.

Who would denounce his behavior to his face?
Who would repay him for what he has done?

I would plead my case before Him
and fill my mouth with arguments.

I would learn how He would answer me;
and understand what He would say to me.

Would He prosecute me forcefully?
No, He will certainly pay attention to me.

Then an upright man could reason with Him,
and I would escape from my Judge forever.

I would be as I was in the days of my youth
when God’s friendship rested on my tent,

But now they mock me,
men younger than I am,
whose fathers I would have refused to put
with my sheep dogs.

Yet no one would stretch out his hand
against a ruined man
when he cries out to him for help
because of his distress.

For what portion would I have from God above,
or what inheritance from the Almighty on high?

For that would be a disgrace;
it would be a crime deserving punishment.

For it is a fire that consumes down to Abaddon;
it would destroy my entire harvest.

this would also be a crime deserving punishment,
for I would have denied God above.

because I greatly feared the crowds,
and the contempt of the clans terrified me,
so I grew silent and would not go outside?

I would surely carry it on my shoulder
and wear it like a crown.

I would give Him an account of all my steps;
I would approach Him like a prince.

For I do not know how to give such titles;
otherwise, my Maker would remove me in an instant.

But if you have something to say, answer me;
speak, for I would like to justify you.

Would I lie about my case?
My wound is incurable,
though I am without transgression.”

every living thing would perish together
and mankind would return to the dust.

Would the wild ox be willing to serve you?
Would it spend the night by your feeding trough?

Can you depend on it because its strength is great?
Would you leave it to do your hard work?

Would you really challenge My justice?
Would you declare Me guilty to justify yourself?

He leaves a shining wake behind him;
one would think the deep had gray hair!