²¹ O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour!

¹⁰ That which hath been is named already, and it is known that it is man: neither may he contend with him that is mightier than he.

²⁰ Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

⁹ Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?

40 Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said,

² Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

³ Then Job answered the Lord, and said,

⁴ Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

⁵ Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.

³⁵ Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.

³ Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!

⁴ I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.

⁵ I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.

⁶ Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.

⁷ There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

²² Then call thou, and I will answer: or let me speak, and answer thou me.

³ Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.

³⁴ Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:

³⁵ Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.