"Isn't God in heaven above? Consider how far away the stars are, and how lofty they are!

You've asked, "What does God know? Can he sort through pitch black darkness?'

They told God, "Get away from us!' and "What will the Almighty do to them?'

"Though God fills their houses with good things, the counsel of the wicked will remain far from me.

"Get to know God, and you'll be at peace with him, and then prosperity will come to you.

"Then you'll take delight in the Almighty; and will turn your face toward God.

God has caused me to faint; the Almighty makes me terrified!

From the city, dying men groan aloud, and the wounded cries out for help, but God charges no one with wrong.

The womb will forget them. Maggots will find them to be a delicacy! They won't be remembered anymore, their iniquity will be cut to pieces like firewood.

God prolongs the life of the strong by his power, but they get up in the morning without purpose in life.

They're exalted momentarily, but then they are gone; they are humbled, just like all the others. They are cut down like heads of corn.

"Dominion and fear belong to God; who fashions peace in his high heaven.

How can a human being become right with God? How can a human being be pure?

Sheol is naked before God and Abaddon has no clothes.

"The living God has withheld justice from me; the Almighty has made my life bitter.

As long as I can breathe; as long as God's breath is in my nostrils,

For where is the hope of the godless when he is eliminated; when God takes away his life?

Will God hear his cry when distress overtakes him?

Will he take delight in the Almighty? Will he call on God at all times?"

"I'll teach you about the power of God, that which is with the Almighty I won't conceal.

"This is what a wicked person inherits from God, and what the ruthless will receive from the Almighty:

God understands how to get there; he knows where they live.

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

like when I was in my prime and God trusted me with his secrets!

"Whenever I went out to the city gate, a seat had been reserved for me in the plaza.

My glory renews for me and my bow is as good as new in my hand.'

But God has loosened his cord and afflicted me; so they've cast off all restraints in my presence.

I have hoped for good, but evil came instead; I have hoped for light, but darkness came.

What would I have from God above, what heritage from the Almighty on high,

let my righteousness be weighed in honest scales, and God will make known my integrity.

what will I do when God stands up to act? When he asks the questions, how will I answer him?

For I'm terrified of what calamity God may have in store for me; and I cannot endure his grandeur."

this is also a sin that deserves to be judged, since I would have tried to deceive God above."

But then Barachel's son Elihu from Buz, one of Ram's descendants, got really angry. He was furious with Job because he had been declaring himself righteous instead of vindicating God.

but when he saw that there had been no response from those three, he got even more angry.

"So that you cannot claim, "We have found wisdom!' let God do the rebuking, not man;

"The spirit of God fashioned me; and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Look! As far as God is concerned, I'm just like you are I, too, have been pinched off from a piece of clay.

Nevertheless, God has found a pretext to attack me; he considers me his enemy.

"You aren't right about this; My response is that God is greater than human beings.

"God speaks time and time again but nobody notices

Let him pray to God and he will accept him; he will appear before him with joyful shouts!"

Indeed God does all these things again and again with a person

But if you have nothing to say, then at least listen to me! Be quiet and learn some wisdom from me."

let's choose what's right for us. Let's consider among ourselves what is good."

Now this is Job's claim: "Even though I'm innocent, God has stopped treating me righteously.

Because he says, "There's no profit for a man to find joy with God.'"

"Therefore you men of understanding, listen to me! Far be it for God to practice wickedness, or the Almighty to do what is wrong,

Truly, God doesn't practice wickedness, and the Almighty doesn't pervert justice.

Can one who hates justice really govern? And if God is righteous and mighty, can you condemn him?

He won't examine mankind further, that they would go before God to judgment.

"Has anyone ever really told God, "I've endured, and I won't act corruptly anymore.

because he has been adding rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us, and keeps on ranting against God."

"Are you saying that it's just for you to claim, "I'm more righteous than God?'

If you are righteous, what will you add to him? What can God receive from your efforts?

He never asks, "Where is God, my Creator, who gives me songs in the night,

Theirs is a useless plea God won't listen; the Almighty won't pay any attention.

"Be patient with me a moment longer, and I'll show you that there's more to say on God's behalf.

"Indeed God is mighty and he doesn't show disrespect; he is mighty and strong of heart.

The godless at heart cherish anger; they won't cry out for help when God afflicts them.

"Indeed, God is exalted in his power. Who is like him as a teacher?

"God is truly awesome, beyond what we know; the number of his years is unknowable.

"God thunders with his wondrous voice; he does awesome works that we don't comprehend.

From the breath of God ice is produced, and a wide body of water is frozen.

"Pay attention to this, Job! Stand still, and consider the wondrous attributes of God.

Do you know how God ordains them, and makes his lightning to flash throughout his clouds?

Has it been relayed to God that I want to talk? Can a person speak when he is confused?"

From the north he brings gold; around God is awesome splendor.

Who prepares food for the raven, when its offspring cry out to God as they wander for lack of food?"

"Do you know when the mountain goat gives birth? Do you watch the doe as it calves its young?

because God didn't grant her wisdom and never gave her understanding.

"Should the one who is fighting the Almighty find fault with him? Let God's accuser answer."

Do you have strength like God? Can you create thunder with a sound like he can?"

He is the grandest of God's undertakings, yet his creator is approaching him with his sword.

Many are saying about me, "God will never deliver him!"

Arise, LORD! Deliver me, my God! For you strike the jaw of all my enemies, and you break the teeth of the wicked.

When I call, answer me, my righteous God! When I was in distress, you set me free. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

Pay attention to my cry for help, my king and my God, for unto you will I pray.

Indeed, you aren't a God who delights in wickedness; evil will never dwell with you.

Declare them guilty, God! Let them fall by their own schemes. Drive them away because of their many transgressions, for they have rebelled against you.

Get away from me, all of you who practice evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.

LORD, my God, I seek refuge in you. Deliver me from those who persecute me! Rescue me!

LORD, my God, if I have done this thing, if there is injustice on my hands,

if I have rewarded those who did me good with evil, if I have plundered my enemy without justification,

Get up, LORD, in your anger! Rise up, because of the fury of my enemies; Arouse yourself for me; you have ordained justice.

Let the evil of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous. For you are the righteous God who discerns the inner thoughts.

God is my shield, the one who delivers the upright in heart.

God is a righteous judge, a God who is angry with sinners every day.

If the ungodly one doesn't repent, God will sharpen his sword; he will string his bow and prepare it.

The wicked will turn back to where the dead are all the nations that have forgotten God.

With haughty arrogance, the wicked thinks, "God will not seek justice." He always presumes "There is no God."

The wicked say to themselves, "God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it."

Rise up, LORD! Raise your hand, God. Don't forget the afflicted!

Why do the wicked despise God and say to themselves, "God will not seek justice."?

The LORD will cut off all slippery lips, and the tongue that boasts great things,

Look at me! Answer me, LORD, my God! Give light to my eyes! Otherwise, I will sleep in death;

Fools say to themselves, "There is no God." They are corrupt and commit evil deeds; not one of them practices what is good.

The LORD looks down from the heavens upon humanity to see if anyone shows discernment as he searches for God.

All have turned away, together they have become corrupt; no one practices what is good, not even one.

There they are seized with terror, because God is with those who are righteous.