There was a man in the country of Uz named Job. He was a man of perfect integrity, who feared God and turned away from evil.

Why did the knees receive me,
and why were there breasts for me to nurse?

There the wicked cease to make trouble,
and there the weary find rest.

Both small and great are there,
and the slave is set free from his master.

A figure stood there,
but I could not recognize its appearance;
a form loomed before my eyes.
I heard a quiet voice:

Is bland food eaten without salt?
Is there flavor in an egg white?

They are ashamed because they had been confident of finding water.
When they arrive there, they are frustrated.

Does papyrus grow where there is no marsh?
Do reeds flourish without water?

There is no one to judge between us,
to lay his hand on both of us.

even though You know that I am not wicked
and that there is no one who can deliver from Your hand?

if there is iniquity in your hand, remove it,
and don’t allow injustice to dwell in your tents—

You will be confident, because there is hope.
You will look carefully about and lie down in safety.

There is hope for a tree:
If it is cut down, it will sprout again,
and its shoots will not die.

Is there no end to your empty words?
What provokes you that you continue testifying?

I cry out: “Violence!” but get no response;
I call for help, but there is no justice.

then be afraid of the sword,
because wrath brings punishment by the sword,
so that you may know there is a judgment.

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

If I go east, He is not there,
and if I go west, I cannot perceive Him.

Surely there is a mine for silver
and a place where gold is refined.

Haven’t the members of my household said,
“Who is there who has not had enough to eat at Job’s table?”

Should I continue to wait now that they are silent,
now that they stand there and no longer answer?

If there is an angel on his side,
one mediator out of a thousand,
to tell a person what is right for him

There is no darkness, no deep darkness,
where evildoers can hide themselves.

There they cry out, but He does not answer,
because of the pride of evil men.

Be patient with me a little longer, and I will inform you,
for there is still more to be said on God’s behalf.

Then there comes a roaring sound;
God thunders with His majestic voice.
He does not restrain the lightning
when His rumbling voice is heard.

From there it searches for prey;
its eyes penetrate the distance.

Its brood gulps down blood,
and where the slain are, it is there.

The hills yield food for him,
while all sorts of wild animals play there.