Now his sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one in turn, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.

When the days of their feasting were finished, Job would send for them and sanctify them; he would get up early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job thought, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's customary practice.

But he replied, "You're talking like one of the godless women would do! Should we receive what is good from God, and not also receive what is evil?" In all this Job did not sin by what he said.

For now I would be lying down and would be quiet, I would be asleep and then at peace

"But as for me, I would seek God, and to God I would set forth my case.

"Oh that my request would be realized, and that God would grant me what I long for!

And that God would be willing to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and kill me.

Then I would yet have my comfort, then I would rejoice, in spite of pitiless pain, for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.

Yes, you would gamble for the fatherless, and auction off your friend.

so that I would prefer strangling, and death more than life.

If I summoned him, and he answered me, I would not believe that he would be listening to my voice --

Although I am innocent, my mouth would condemn me; although I am blameless, it would declare me perverse.

who would take his rod away from me so that his terror would not make me afraid.

Then would I speak and not fear him, but it is not so with me.

If I sinned, then you would watch me and you would not acquit me of my iniquity.

"Why then did you bring me out from the womb? I should have died and no eye would have seen me!

But if only God would speak, if only he would open his lips against you,

and reveal to you the secrets of wisdom -- for true wisdom has two sides -- so that you would know that God has forgiven some of your sins.

If only you would keep completely silent! For you, that would be wisdom.

Would it turn out well if he would examine you? Or as one deceives a man would you deceive him?

He would certainly rebuke you if you secretly showed partiality!

Would not his splendor terrify you and the fear he inspires fall on you?

Moreover, this will become my deliverance, for no godless person would come before him.

"O that you would hide me in Sheol, and conceal me till your anger has passed! O that you would set me a time and then remember me!

"Surely now you count my steps; then you would not mark my sin.

My offenses would be sealed up in a bag; you would cover over my sin.

But I would strengthen you with my words; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.

If indeed you would exalt yourselves above me and plead my disgrace against me,

Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him? What would we gain if we were to pray to him?'

"Yes, I know what you are thinking, the schemes by which you would wrong me.

I would lay out my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.

I would know with what words he would answer me, and understand what he would say to me.

Would he contend with me with great power? No, he would only pay attention to me.

There an upright person could present his case before him, and I would be delivered forever from my judge.

But he knows the pathway that I take; if he tested me, I would come forth like gold.

the young men would see me and step aside, and the old men would get up and remain standing;

gaunt with want and hunger, they would gnaw the parched land, in former time desolate and waste.

By the brush they would gather herbs from the salt marshes, and the root of the broom tree was their food.

They were banished from the community -- people shouted at them like they would shout at thieves --

What then would be one's lot from God above, one's heritage from the Almighty on high?

For I would have committed a shameful act, an iniquity to be judged.

For it is a fire that devours even to Destruction, and it would uproot all my harvest.

then this also would be iniquity to be judged, for I would have been false to God above.

because I was terrified of the great multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I remained silent and would not go outdoors --

Surely I would wear it proudly on my shoulder, I would bind it on me like a crown;

I would give him an accounting of my steps; like a prince I would approach him.

for I do not know how to give honorary titles, if I did, my Creator would quickly do away with me.

all flesh would perish together and human beings would return to dust.

Would your wealth sustain you, so that you would not be in distress, even all your mighty efforts?

Should he be informed that I want to speak? If a man speaks, surely he would be swallowed up!

Would you indeed annul my justice? Would you declare me guilty so that you might be right?

It leaves a glistening wake behind it; one would think the deep had a head of white hair.