7 “Do not mortals have hard service^(A) on earth?^(B)
    Are not their days like those of hired laborers?^(C)
2 Like a slave longing for the evening shadows,^(D)
    or a hired laborer waiting to be paid,^(E)
3 so I have been allotted months of futility,
    and nights of misery have been assigned to me.^(F)
4 When I lie down I think, ‘How long before I get up?’^(G)
    The night drags on, and I toss and turn until dawn.^(H)
5 My body is clothed with worms^(I) and scabs,
    my skin is broken and festering.^(J)

⁶ “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle,^(K)
    and they come to an end without hope.^(L)
7 Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath;^(M)
    my eyes will never see happiness again.^(N)
8 The eye that now sees me will see me no longer;
    you will look for me, but I will be no more.^(O)
9 As a cloud vanishes^(P) and is gone,
    so one who goes down to the grave^(Q) does not return.^(R)
10 He will never come to his house again;
    his place^(S) will know him no more.^(T)

¹¹ “Therefore I will not keep silent;^(U)
    I will speak out in the anguish^(V) of my spirit,
    I will complain^(W) in the bitterness of my soul.^(X)
12 Am I the sea,^(Y) or the monster of the deep,^(Z)
    that you put me under guard?^(AA)
13 When I think my bed will comfort me
    and my couch will ease my complaint,^(AB)
14 even then you frighten me with dreams
    and terrify^(AC) me with visions,^(AD)
15 so that I prefer strangling and death,^(AE)
    rather than this body of mine.^(AF)
16 I despise my life;^(AG) I would not live forever.^(AH)
    Let me alone;^(AI) my days have no meaning.^(AJ)

¹⁷ “What is mankind that you make so much of them,
    that you give them so much attention,^(AK)
18 that you examine them every morning^(AL)
    and test them^(AM) every moment?^(AN)
19 Will you never look away from me,^(AO)
    or let me alone even for an instant?^(AP)
20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you,^(AQ)
    you who see everything we do?
Why have you made me your target?^(AR)
    Have I become a burden to you?^[a](AS)
21 Why do you not pardon my offenses
    and forgive my sins?^(AT)
For I will soon lie down in the dust;^(AU)
    you will search for me, but I will be no more.”^(AV)

² “Indeed, I know that this is true.
    But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?^(A)
3 Though they wished to dispute with him,^(B)
    they could not answer him one time out of a thousand.^(C)
4 His wisdom^(D) is profound, his power is vast.^(E)
    Who has resisted^(F) him and come out unscathed?^(G)
5 He moves mountains^(H) without their knowing it
    and overturns them in his anger.^(I)
6 He shakes the earth^(J) from its place
    and makes its pillars tremble.^(K)
7 He speaks to the sun and it does not shine;^(L)
    he seals off the light of the stars.^(M)
8 He alone stretches out the heavens^(N)
    and treads on the waves of the sea.^(O)
9 He is the Maker^(P) of the Bear^[a] and Orion,
    the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.^(Q)
10 He performs wonders^(R) that cannot be fathomed,
    miracles that cannot be counted.^(S)
11 When he passes me, I cannot see him;
    when he goes by, I cannot perceive him.^(T)
12 If he snatches away, who can stop him?^(U)
    Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’^(V)
13 God does not restrain his anger;^(W)
    even the cohorts of Rahab^(X) cowered at his feet.

¹⁴ “How then can I dispute with him?
    How can I find words to argue with him?^(Y)
15 Though I were innocent, I could not answer him;^(Z)
    I could only plead^(AA) with my Judge^(AB) for mercy.^(AC)
16 Even if I summoned him and he responded,
    I do not believe he would give me a hearing.^(AD)
17 He would crush me^(AE) with a storm^(AF)
    and multiply^(AG) my wounds for no reason.^(AH)
18 He would not let me catch my breath
    but would overwhelm me with misery.^(AI)
19 If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty!^(AJ)
    And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him^[b]?^(AK)
20 Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me;
    if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty.^(AL)

²¹ “Although I am blameless,^(AM)
    I have no concern for myself;^(AN)
    I despise my own life.^(AO)
22 It is all the same; that is why I say,
    ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’^(AP)
23 When a scourge^(AQ) brings sudden death,
    he mocks the despair of the innocent.^(AR)
24 When a land falls into the hands of the wicked,^(AS)
    he blindfolds its judges.^(AT)
    If it is not he, then who is it?^(AU)

²⁵ “My days are swifter than a runner;^(AV)
    they fly away without a glimpse of joy.^(AW)
26 They skim past^(AX) like boats of papyrus,^(AY)
    like eagles swooping down on their prey.^(AZ)
27 If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint,^(BA)
    I will change my expression, and smile,’
²⁸ I still dread^(BB) all my sufferings,
    for I know you will not hold me innocent.^(BC)
29 Since I am already found guilty,
    why should I struggle in vain?^(BD)
30 Even if I washed myself with soap^(BE)
    and my hands^(BF) with cleansing powder,^(BG)
31 you would plunge me into a slime pit^(BH)
    so that even my clothes would detest me.^(BI)

³² “He is not a mere mortal^(BJ) like me that I might answer him,^(BK)
    that we might confront each other in court.^(BL)
33 If only there were someone to mediate between us,^(BM)
    someone to bring us together,^(BN)
34 someone to remove God’s rod from me,^(BO)
    so that his terror would frighten me no more.^(BP)
35 Then I would speak up without fear of him,^(BQ)
    but as it now stands with me, I cannot.^(BR)

² “Doubtless you are the only people who matter,
    and wisdom will die with you!^(A)
3 But I have a mind as well as you;
    I am not inferior to you.
    Who does not know all these things?^(B)

⁴ “I have become a laughingstock^(C) to my friends,^(D)
    though I called on God and he answered^(E)—
    a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!^(F)
5 Those who are at ease have contempt^(G) for misfortune
    as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.^(H)
6 The tents of marauders are undisturbed,^(I)
    and those who provoke God are secure^(J)—
    those God has in his hand.^[a]

⁷ “But ask the animals, and they will teach you,^(K)
    or the birds in the sky,^(L) and they will tell you;^(M)
8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
    or let the fish in the sea inform you.
⁹ Which of all these does not know^(N)
    that the hand of the Lord has done this?^(O)
10 In his hand is the life^(P) of every creature
    and the breath of all mankind.^(Q)
11 Does not the ear test words
    as the tongue tastes food?^(R)
12 Is not wisdom found among the aged?^(S)
    Does not long life bring understanding?^(T)

¹³ “To God belong wisdom^(U) and power;^(V)
    counsel and understanding are his.^(W)
14 What he tears down^(X) cannot be rebuilt;^(Y)
    those he imprisons cannot be released.^(Z)
15 If he holds back the waters,^(AA) there is drought;^(AB)
    if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.^(AC)
16 To him belong strength and insight;^(AD)
    both deceived and deceiver are his.^(AE)
17 He leads rulers away stripped^(AF)
    and makes fools of judges.^(AG)
18 He takes off the shackles^(AH) put on by kings
    and ties a loincloth^[b] around their waist.^(AI)
19 He leads priests away stripped^(AJ)
    and overthrows officials long established.^(AK)
20 He silences the lips of trusted advisers
    and takes away the discernment of elders.^(AL)
21 He pours contempt on nobles^(AM)
    and disarms the mighty.^(AN)
22 He reveals the deep things of darkness^(AO)
    and brings utter darkness^(AP) into the light.^(AQ)
23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;^(AR)
    he enlarges nations,^(AS) and disperses them.^(AT)
24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;^(AU)
    he makes them wander in a trackless waste.^(AV)
25 They grope in darkness with no light;^(AW)
    he makes them stagger like drunkards.^(AX)

13 “My eyes have seen all this,^(A)
    my ears have heard and understood it.
² What you know, I also know;
    I am not inferior to you.^(B)
3 But I desire to speak to the Almighty^(C)
    and to argue my case with God.^(D)
4 You, however, smear me with lies;^(E)
    you are worthless physicians,^(F) all of you!^(G)
5 If only you would be altogether silent!^(H)
    For you, that would be wisdom.^(I)
6 Hear now my argument;
    listen to the pleas of my lips.^(J)
7 Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf?
    Will you speak deceitfully for him?^(K)
8 Will you show him partiality?^(L)
    Will you argue the case for God?
⁹ Would it turn out well if he examined you?^(M)
    Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?^(N)
10 He would surely call you to account
    if you secretly showed partiality.^(O)
11 Would not his splendor^(P) terrify you?
    Would not the dread of him fall on you?^(Q)
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;
    your defenses are defenses of clay.^(R)

¹³ “Keep silent^(S) and let me speak;^(T)
    then let come to me what may.^(U)
14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy
    and take my life in my hands?^(V)
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope^(W) in him;^(X)
    I will surely^[a] defend my ways to his face.^(Y)
16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,^(Z)
    for no godless^(AA) person would dare come before him!^(AB)
17 Listen carefully to what I say;^(AC)
    let my words ring in your ears.
¹⁸ Now that I have prepared my case,^(AD)
    I know I will be vindicated.^(AE)
19 Can anyone bring charges against me?^(AF)
    If so, I will be silent^(AG) and die.^(AH)

²⁰ “Only grant me these two things, God,
    and then I will not hide from you:
²¹ Withdraw your hand^(AI) far from me,
    and stop frightening me with your terrors.^(AJ)
22 Then summon me and I will answer,^(AK)
    or let me speak, and you reply to me.^(AL)
23 How many wrongs and sins have I committed?^(AM)
    Show me my offense and my sin.^(AN)
24 Why do you hide your face^(AO)
    and consider me your enemy?^(AP)
25 Will you torment^(AQ) a windblown leaf?^(AR)
    Will you chase^(AS) after dry chaff?^(AT)
26 For you write down bitter things against me
    and make me reap the sins of my youth.^(AU)
27 You fasten my feet in shackles;^(AV)
    you keep close watch on all my paths^(AW)
    by putting marks on the soles of my feet.

²⁸ “So man wastes away like something rotten,
    like a garment^(AX) eaten by moths.^(AY)

² “I have heard many things like these;
    you are miserable comforters,^(A) all of you!^(B)
3 Will your long-winded speeches never end?^(C)
    What ails you that you keep on arguing?^(D)
4 I also could speak like you,
    if you were in my place;
I could make fine speeches against you
    and shake my head^(E) at you.
⁵ But my mouth would encourage you;
    comfort^(F) from my lips would bring you relief.^(G)

⁶ “Yet if I speak, my pain is not relieved;
    and if I refrain, it does not go away.^(H)
7 Surely, God, you have worn me out;^(I)
    you have devastated my entire household.^(J)
8 You have shriveled me up—and it has become a witness;
    my gauntness^(K) rises up and testifies against me.^(L)
9 God assails me and tears^(M) me in his anger^(N)
    and gnashes his teeth at me;^(O)
    my opponent fastens on me his piercing eyes.^(P)
10 People open their mouths^(Q) to jeer at me;^(R)
    they strike my cheek^(S) in scorn
    and unite together against me.^(T)
11 God has turned me over to the ungodly
    and thrown me into the clutches of the wicked.^(U)
12 All was well with me, but he shattered me;
    he seized me by the neck and crushed me.^(V)
He has made me his target;^(W)
13     his archers surround me.^(X)
Without pity, he pierces^(Y) my kidneys
    and spills my gall on the ground.
¹⁴ Again and again^(Z) he bursts upon me;
    he rushes at me like a warrior.^(AA)

¹⁵ “I have sewed sackcloth^(AB) over my skin
    and buried my brow in the dust.^(AC)
16 My face is red with weeping,^(AD)
    dark shadows ring my eyes;^(AE)
17 yet my hands have been free of violence^(AF)
    and my prayer is pure.^(AG)

¹⁸ “Earth, do not cover my blood;^(AH)
    may my cry^(AI) never be laid to rest!^(AJ)
19 Even now my witness^(AK) is in heaven;^(AL)
    my advocate is on high.^(AM)
20 My intercessor^(AN) is my friend^[a](AO)
    as my eyes pour out^(AP) tears^(AQ) to God;
²¹ on behalf of a man he pleads^(AR) with God
    as one pleads for a friend.

²² “Only a few years will pass
    before I take the path of no return.^(AS)

² “How long will you torment^(A) me
    and crush^(B) me with words?
³ Ten times^(C) now you have reproached^(D) me;
    shamelessly you attack me.
⁴ If it is true that I have gone astray,
    my error^(E) remains my concern alone.
⁵ If indeed you would exalt yourselves above me^(F)
    and use my humiliation against me,
⁶ then know that God has wronged me^(G)
    and drawn his net^(H) around me.^(I)

⁷ “Though I cry, ‘Violence!’ I get no response;^(J)
    though I call for help,^(K) there is no justice.^(L)
8 He has blocked my way so I cannot pass;^(M)
    he has shrouded my paths in darkness.^(N)
9 He has stripped^(O) me of my honor^(P)
    and removed the crown from my head.^(Q)
10 He tears me down^(R) on every side till I am gone;
    he uproots my hope^(S) like a tree.^(T)
11 His anger^(U) burns against me;
    he counts me among his enemies.^(V)
12 His troops advance in force;^(W)
    they build a siege ramp^(X) against me
    and encamp around my tent.^(Y)

¹³ “He has alienated my family^(Z) from me;
    my acquaintances are completely estranged from me.^(AA)
14 My relatives have gone away;
    my closest friends^(AB) have forgotten me.
¹⁵ My guests^(AC) and my female servants^(AD) count me a foreigner;
    they look on me as on a stranger.
¹⁶ I summon my servant, but he does not answer,
    though I beg him with my own mouth.
¹⁷ My breath is offensive to my wife;
    I am loathsome^(AE) to my own family.
¹⁸ Even the little boys^(AF) scorn me;
    when I appear, they ridicule me.^(AG)
19 All my intimate friends^(AH) detest me;^(AI)
    those I love have turned against me.^(AJ)
20 I am nothing but skin and bones;^(AK)
    I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth.^[a]

²¹ “Have pity on me, my friends,^(AL) have pity,
    for the hand of God has struck^(AM) me.
²² Why do you pursue^(AN) me as God does?^(AO)
    Will you never get enough of my flesh?^(AP)

²³ “Oh, that my words were recorded,
    that they were written on a scroll,^(AQ)
24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool^(AR) on^[b] lead,
    or engraved in rock forever!^(AS)
25 I know that my redeemer^[c](AT) lives,^(AU)
    and that in the end he will stand on the earth.^[d]
26 And after my skin has been destroyed,
    yet^[e] in^[f] my flesh I will see God;^(AV)
27 I myself will see him
    with my own eyes^(AW)—I, and not another.
    How my heart yearns^(AX) within me!

²⁸ “If you say, ‘How we will hound^(AY) him,
    since the root of the trouble lies in him,^[g]’
²⁹ you should fear the sword yourselves;
    for wrath will bring punishment by the sword,^(AZ)
    and then you will know that there is judgment.^[h]”^(BA)