10 “I loathe my very life;^(A)
    therefore I will give free rein to my complaint
    and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.^(B)
2 I say to God:^(C) Do not declare me guilty,
    but tell me what charges^(D) you have against me.^(E)
3 Does it please you to oppress me,^(F)
    to spurn the work of your hands,^(G)
    while you smile on the plans of the wicked?^(H)
4 Do you have eyes of flesh?
    Do you see as a mortal sees?^(I)
5 Are your days like those of a mortal
    or your years like those of a strong man,^(J)
6 that you must search out my faults
    and probe after my sin^(K)—
⁷ though you know that I am not guilty^(L)
    and that no one can rescue me from your hand?^(M)

⁸ “Your hands shaped^(N) me and made me.
    Will you now turn and destroy me?^(O)
9 Remember that you molded me like clay.^(P)
    Will you now turn me to dust again?^(Q)
10 Did you not pour me out like milk
    and curdle me like cheese,
¹¹ clothe me with skin and flesh
    and knit me together^(R) with bones and sinews?
¹² You gave me life^(S) and showed me kindness,^(T)
    and in your providence^(U) watched over^(V) my spirit.

¹³ “But this is what you concealed in your heart,
    and I know that this was in your mind:^(W)
14 If I sinned, you would be watching me^(X)
    and would not let my offense go unpunished.^(Y)
15 If I am guilty^(Z)—woe to me!^(AA)
    Even if I am innocent, I cannot lift my head,^(AB)
for I am full of shame
    and drowned in^[a] my affliction.^(AC)
16 If I hold my head high, you stalk me like a lion^(AD)
    and again display your awesome power against me.^(AE)
17 You bring new witnesses against me^(AF)
    and increase your anger toward me;^(AG)
    your forces come against me wave upon wave.^(AH)

¹⁸ “Why then did you bring me out of the womb?^(AI)
    I wish I had died before any eye saw me.^(AJ)
19 If only I had never come into being,
    or had been carried straight from the womb to the grave!^(AK)
20 Are not my few days^(AL) almost over?^(AM)
    Turn away from me^(AN) so I can have a moment’s joy^(AO)
21 before I go to the place of no return,^(AP)
    to the land of gloom and utter darkness,^(AQ)
22 to the land of deepest night,
    of utter darkness^(AR) and disorder,
    where even the light is like darkness.”^(AS)

² “Are all these words to go unanswered?^(AU)
    Is this talker to be vindicated?^(AV)
3 Will your idle talk^(AW) reduce others to silence?
    Will no one rebuke you when you mock?^(AX)
4 You say to God, ‘My beliefs are flawless^(AY)
    and I am pure^(AZ) in your sight.’
⁵ Oh, how I wish that God would speak,^(BA)
    that he would open his lips against you
⁶ and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom,^(BB)
    for true wisdom has two sides.
    Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin.^(BC)

⁷ “Can you fathom^(BD) the mysteries of God?
    Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
⁸ They are higher^(BE) than the heavens^(BF) above—what can you do?
    They are deeper than the depths below^(BG)—what can you know?^(BH)
9 Their measure^(BI) is longer than the earth
    and wider than the sea.^(BJ)

¹⁰ “If he comes along and confines you in prison
    and convenes a court, who can oppose him?^(BK)
11 Surely he recognizes deceivers;
    and when he sees evil, does he not take note?^(BL)
12 But the witless can no more become wise
    than a wild donkey’s colt^(BM) can be born human.^[b](BN)

¹³ “Yet if you devote your heart^(BO) to him
    and stretch out your hands^(BP) to him,^(BQ)
14 if you put away^(BR) the sin that is in your hand
    and allow no evil^(BS) to dwell in your tent,^(BT)
15 then, free of fault, you will lift up your face;^(BU)
    you will stand firm^(BV) and without fear.^(BW)
16 You will surely forget your trouble,^(BX)
    recalling it only as waters gone by.^(BY)
17 Life will be brighter than noonday,^(BZ)
    and darkness will become like morning.^(CA)
18 You will be secure, because there is hope;
    you will look about you and take your rest^(CB) in safety.^(CC)
19 You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid,^(CD)
    and many will court your favor.^(CE)
20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail,^(CF)
    and escape will elude them;^(CG)
    their hope will become a dying gasp.”^(CH)

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

⁴ “I have become a laughingstock^(CK) to my friends,^(CL)
    though I called on God and he answered^(CM)—
    a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!^(CN)
5 Those who are at ease have contempt^(CO) for misfortune
    as the fate of those whose feet are slipping.^(CP)
6 The tents of marauders are undisturbed,^(CQ)
    and those who provoke God are secure^(CR)—
    those God has in his hand.^[c]

⁷ “But ask the animals, and they will teach you,^(CS)
    or the birds in the sky,^(CT) and they will tell you;^(CU)
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^(CV)
    that the hand of the Lord has done this?^(CW)
10 In his hand is the life^(CX) of every creature
    and the breath of all mankind.^(CY)
11 Does not the ear test words
    as the tongue tastes food?^(CZ)
12 Is not wisdom found among the aged?^(DA)
    Does not long life bring understanding?^(DB)

¹³ “To God belong wisdom^(DC) and power;^(DD)
    counsel and understanding are his.^(DE)
14 What he tears down^(DF) cannot be rebuilt;^(DG)
    those he imprisons cannot be released.^(DH)
15 If he holds back the waters,^(DI) there is drought;^(DJ)
    if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.^(DK)
16 To him belong strength and insight;^(DL)
    both deceived and deceiver are his.^(DM)
17 He leads rulers away stripped^(DN)
    and makes fools of judges.^(DO)
18 He takes off the shackles^(DP) put on by kings
    and ties a loincloth^[d] around their waist.^(DQ)
19 He leads priests away stripped^(DR)
    and overthrows officials long established.^(DS)
20 He silences the lips of trusted advisers
    and takes away the discernment of elders.^(DT)
21 He pours contempt on nobles^(DU)
    and disarms the mighty.^(DV)
22 He reveals the deep things of darkness^(DW)
    and brings utter darkness^(DX) into the light.^(DY)
23 He makes nations great, and destroys them;^(DZ)
    he enlarges nations,^(EA) and disperses them.^(EB)
24 He deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason;^(EC)
    he makes them wander in a trackless waste.^(ED)
25 They grope in darkness with no light;^(EE)
    he makes them stagger like drunkards.^(EF)

13 “My eyes have seen all this,^(EG)
    my ears have heard and understood it.
² What you know, I also know;
    I am not inferior to you.^(EH)
3 But I desire to speak to the Almighty^(EI)
    and to argue my case with God.^(EJ)
4 You, however, smear me with lies;^(EK)
    you are worthless physicians,^(EL) all of you!^(EM)
5 If only you would be altogether silent!^(EN)
    For you, that would be wisdom.^(EO)
6 Hear now my argument;
    listen to the pleas of my lips.^(EP)
7 Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf?
    Will you speak deceitfully for him?^(EQ)
8 Will you show him partiality?^(ER)
    Will you argue the case for God?
⁹ Would it turn out well if he examined you?^(ES)
    Could you deceive him as you might deceive a mortal?^(ET)
10 He would surely call you to account
    if you secretly showed partiality.^(EU)
11 Would not his splendor^(EV) terrify you?
    Would not the dread of him fall on you?^(EW)
12 Your maxims are proverbs of ashes;
    your defenses are defenses of clay.^(EX)

¹³ “Keep silent^(EY) and let me speak;^(EZ)
    then let come to me what may.^(FA)
14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy
    and take my life in my hands?^(FB)
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope^(FC) in him;^(FD)
    I will surely^[e] defend my ways to his face.^(FE)
16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,^(FF)
    for no godless^(FG) person would dare come before him!^(FH)
17 Listen carefully to what I say;^(FI)
    let my words ring in your ears.
¹⁸ Now that I have prepared my case,^(FJ)
    I know I will be vindicated.^(FK)
19 Can anyone bring charges against me?^(FL)
    If so, I will be silent^(FM) and die.^(FN)

²⁰ “Only grant me these two things, God,
    and then I will not hide from you:
²¹ Withdraw your hand^(FO) far from me,
    and stop frightening me with your terrors.^(FP)
22 Then summon me and I will answer,^(FQ)
    or let me speak, and you reply to me.^(FR)
23 How many wrongs and sins have I committed?^(FS)
    Show me my offense and my sin.^(FT)
24 Why do you hide your face^(FU)
    and consider me your enemy?^(FV)
25 Will you torment^(FW) a windblown leaf?^(FX)
    Will you chase^(FY) after dry chaff?^(FZ)
26 For you write down bitter things against me
    and make me reap the sins of my youth.^(GA)
27 You fasten my feet in shackles;^(GB)
    you keep close watch on all my paths^(GC)
    by putting marks on the soles of my feet.

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

14 “Mortals, born of woman,^(GF)
    are of few days^(GG) and full of trouble.^(GH)
2 They spring up like flowers^(GI) and wither away;^(GJ)
    like fleeting shadows,^(GK) they do not endure.^(GL)
3 Do you fix your eye on them?^(GM)
    Will you bring them^[f] before you for judgment?^(GN)
4 Who can bring what is pure^(GO) from the impure?^(GP)
    No one!^(GQ)
5 A person’s days are determined;^(GR)
    you have decreed the number of his months^(GS)
    and have set limits he cannot exceed.^(GT)
6 So look away from him and let him alone,^(GU)
    till he has put in his time like a hired laborer.^(GV)

⁷ “At least there is hope for a tree:^(GW)
    If it is cut down, it will sprout again,
    and its new shoots^(GX) will not fail.^(GY)
8 Its roots may grow old in the ground
    and its stump^(GZ) die in the soil,
⁹ yet at the scent of water^(HA) it will bud
    and put forth shoots like a plant.^(HB)
10 But a man dies and is laid low;^(HC)
    he breathes his last and is no more.^(HD)
11 As the water of a lake dries up
    or a riverbed becomes parched and dry,^(HE)
12 so he lies down and does not rise;^(HF)
    till the heavens are no more,^(HG) people will not awake
    or be roused from their sleep.^(HH)

¹³ “If only you would hide me in the grave^(HI)
    and conceal me till your anger has passed!^(HJ)
If only you would set me a time
    and then remember^(HK) me!^(HL)
14 If someone dies, will they live again?
    All the days of my hard service^(HM)
    I will wait for my renewal^[g](HN) to come.
¹⁵ You will call and I will answer you;^(HO)
    you will long for the creature your hands have made.^(HP)
16 Surely then you will count my steps^(HQ)
    but not keep track of my sin.^(HR)
17 My offenses will be sealed^(HS) up in a bag;^(HT)
    you will cover over my sin.^(HU)

¹⁸ “But as a mountain erodes and crumbles^(HV)
    and as a rock is moved from its place,^(HW)
19 as water wears away stones
    and torrents^(HX) wash away the soil,^(HY)
    so you destroy a person’s hope.^(HZ)
20 You overpower them once for all, and they are gone;^(IA)
    you change their countenance and send them away.^(IB)
21 If their children are honored, they do not know it;
    if their offspring are brought low, they do not see it.^(IC)
22 They feel but the pain of their own bodies^(ID)
    and mourn only for themselves.^(IE)”

² “Would a wise person answer with empty notions
    or fill their belly with the hot east wind?^(IG)
3 Would they argue with useless words,
    with speeches that have no value?^(IH)
4 But you even undermine piety
    and hinder devotion to God.^(II)
5 Your sin^(IJ) prompts your mouth;^(IK)
    you adopt the tongue of the crafty.^(IL)
6 Your own mouth condemns you, not mine;
    your own lips testify against you.^(IM)

⁷ “Are you the first man ever born?^(IN)
    Were you brought forth before the hills?^(IO)
8 Do you listen in on God’s council?^(IP)
    Do you have a monopoly on wisdom?^(IQ)
9 What do you know that we do not know?
    What insights do you have that we do not have?^(IR)
10 The gray-haired and the aged^(IS) are on our side,
    men even older than your father.^(IT)
11 Are God’s consolations^(IU) not enough for you,
    words^(IV) spoken gently to you?^(IW)
12 Why has your heart^(IX) carried you away,
    and why do your eyes flash,
¹³ so that you vent your rage^(IY) against God
    and pour out such words^(IZ) from your mouth?^(JA)

¹⁴ “What are mortals, that they could be pure,
    or those born of woman,^(JB) that they could be righteous?^(JC)
15 If God places no trust in his holy ones,^(JD)
    if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes,^(JE)
16 how much less mortals, who are vile and corrupt,^(JF)
    who drink up evil^(JG) like water!^(JH)

¹⁷ “Listen to me and I will explain to you;
    let me tell you what I have seen,^(JI)
18 what the wise have declared,
    hiding nothing received from their ancestors^(JJ)
19 (to whom alone the land^(JK) was given
    when no foreigners moved among them):
²⁰ All his days the wicked man suffers torment,^(JL)
    the ruthless man through all the years stored up for him.^(JM)
21 Terrifying sounds fill his ears;^(JN)
    when all seems well, marauders attack him.^(JO)
22 He despairs of escaping the realm of darkness;^(JP)
    he is marked for the sword.^(JQ)
23 He wanders about^(JR) for food like a vulture;^(JS)
    he knows the day of darkness^(JT) is at hand.^(JU)
24 Distress and anguish^(JV) fill him with terror;^(JW)
    troubles overwhelm him, like a king^(JX) poised to attack,
²⁵ because he shakes his fist^(JY) at God
    and vaunts himself against the Almighty,^(JZ)
26 defiantly charging against him
    with a thick, strong shield.^(KA)

²⁷ “Though his face is covered with fat
    and his waist bulges with flesh,^(KB)
28 he will inhabit ruined towns
    and houses where no one lives,^(KC)
    houses crumbling to rubble.^(KD)
29 He will no longer be rich and his wealth will not endure,^(KE)
    nor will his possessions spread over the land.^(KF)
30 He will not escape the darkness;^(KG)
    a flame^(KH) will wither his shoots,^(KI)
    and the breath of God’s mouth^(KJ) will carry him away.^(KK)
31 Let him not deceive^(KL) himself by trusting what is worthless,^(KM)
    for he will get nothing in return.^(KN)
32 Before his time^(KO) he will wither,^(KP)
    and his branches will not flourish.^(KQ)
33 He will be like a vine stripped of its unripe grapes,^(KR)
    like an olive tree shedding its blossoms.^(KS)
34 For the company of the godless^(KT) will be barren,
    and fire will consume^(KU) the tents of those who love bribes.^(KV)
35 They conceive trouble^(KW) and give birth to evil;^(KX)
    their womb fashions deceit.”

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

⁶ “Yet if I speak, my pain is not relieved;
    and if I refrain, it does not go away.^(LF)
7 Surely, God, you have worn me out;^(LG)
    you have devastated my entire household.^(LH)
8 You have shriveled me up—and it has become a witness;
    my gauntness^(LI) rises up and testifies against me.^(LJ)
9 God assails me and tears^(LK) me in his anger^(LL)
    and gnashes his teeth at me;^(LM)
    my opponent fastens on me his piercing eyes.^(LN)
10 People open their mouths^(LO) to jeer at me;^(LP)
    they strike my cheek^(LQ) in scorn
    and unite together against me.^(LR)
11 God has turned me over to the ungodly
    and thrown me into the clutches of the wicked.^(LS)
12 All was well with me, but he shattered me;
    he seized me by the neck and crushed me.^(LT)
He has made me his target;^(LU)
13     his archers surround me.^(LV)
Without pity, he pierces^(LW) my kidneys
    and spills my gall on the ground.
¹⁴ Again and again^(LX) he bursts upon me;
    he rushes at me like a warrior.^(LY)

¹⁵ “I have sewed sackcloth^(LZ) over my skin
    and buried my brow in the dust.^(MA)
16 My face is red with weeping,^(MB)
    dark shadows ring my eyes;^(MC)
17 yet my hands have been free of violence^(MD)
    and my prayer is pure.^(ME)

¹⁸ “Earth, do not cover my blood;^(MF)
    may my cry^(MG) never be laid to rest!^(MH)
19 Even now my witness^(MI) is in heaven;^(MJ)
    my advocate is on high.^(MK)
20 My intercessor^(ML) is my friend^[h](MM)
    as my eyes pour out^(MN) tears^(MO) to God;
²¹ on behalf of a man he pleads^(MP) with God
    as one pleads for a friend.

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

³ “Give me, O God, the pledge you demand.^(MW)
    Who else will put up security^(MX) for me?^(MY)
4 You have closed their minds to understanding;^(MZ)
    therefore you will not let them triumph.
⁵ If anyone denounces their friends for reward,^(NA)
    the eyes of their children will fail.^(NB)

⁶ “God has made me a byword^(NC) to everyone,^(ND)
    a man in whose face people spit.^(NE)
7 My eyes have grown dim with grief;^(NF)
    my whole frame is but a shadow.^(NG)
8 The upright are appalled at this;
    the innocent are aroused^(NH) against the ungodly.
⁹ Nevertheless, the righteous^(NI) will hold to their ways,
    and those with clean hands^(NJ) will grow stronger.^(NK)

¹⁰ “But come on, all of you, try again!
    I will not find a wise man among you.^(NL)
11 My days have passed,^(NM) my plans are shattered.
    Yet the desires of my heart^(NN)
12 turn night into day;^(NO)
    in the face of the darkness light is near.^(NP)
13 If the only home I hope for is the grave,^(NQ)
    if I spread out my bed^(NR) in the realm of darkness,^(NS)
14 if I say to corruption,^(NT) ‘You are my father,’
    and to the worm,^(NU) ‘My mother’ or ‘My sister,’
¹⁵ where then is my hope—^(NV)
    who can see any hope for me?^(NW)
16 Will it go down to the gates of death?^(NX)
    Will we descend together into the dust?”^(NY)

² “When will you end these speeches?^(OA)
    Be sensible, and then we can talk.
³ Why are we regarded as cattle^(OB)
    and considered stupid in your sight?^(OC)
4 You who tear yourself^(OD) to pieces in your anger,^(OE)
    is the earth to be abandoned for your sake?
    Or must the rocks be moved from their place?^(OF)

⁵ “The lamp of a wicked man is snuffed out;^(OG)
    the flame of his fire stops burning.^(OH)
6 The light in his tent^(OI) becomes dark;^(OJ)
    the lamp beside him goes out.^(OK)
7 The vigor^(OL) of his step is weakened;^(OM)
    his own schemes^(ON) throw him down.^(OO)
8 His feet thrust him into a net;^(OP)
    he wanders into its mesh.
⁹ A trap seizes him by the heel;
    a snare^(OQ) holds him fast.^(OR)
10 A noose^(OS) is hidden for him on the ground;
    a trap^(OT) lies in his path.^(OU)
11 Terrors^(OV) startle him on every side^(OW)
    and dog^(OX) his every step.
¹² Calamity^(OY) is hungry^(OZ) for him;
    disaster^(PA) is ready for him when he falls.^(PB)
13 It eats away parts of his skin;^(PC)
    death’s firstborn devours his limbs.^(PD)
14 He is torn from the security of his tent^(PE)
    and marched off to the king^(PF) of terrors.^(PG)
15 Fire resides^[i] in his tent;^(PH)
    burning sulfur^(PI) is scattered over his dwelling.
¹⁶ His roots dry up below^(PJ)
    and his branches wither above.^(PK)
17 The memory of him perishes from the earth;^(PL)
    he has no name^(PM) in the land.^(PN)
18 He is driven from light into the realm of darkness^(PO)
    and is banished^(PP) from the world.^(PQ)
19 He has no offspring^(PR) or descendants^(PS) among his people,
    no survivor^(PT) where once he lived.^(PU)
20 People of the west are appalled^(PV) at his fate;^(PW)
    those of the east are seized with horror.
²¹ Surely such is the dwelling^(PX) of an evil man;^(PY)
    such is the place^(PZ) of one who does not know God.”^(QA)

² “How long will you torment^(QB) me
    and crush^(QC) me with words?
³ Ten times^(QD) now you have reproached^(QE) me;
    shamelessly you attack me.
⁴ If it is true that I have gone astray,
    my error^(QF) remains my concern alone.
⁵ If indeed you would exalt yourselves above me^(QG)
    and use my humiliation against me,
⁶ then know that God has wronged me^(QH)
    and drawn his net^(QI) around me.^(QJ)

⁷ “Though I cry, ‘Violence!’ I get no response;^(QK)
    though I call for help,^(QL) there is no justice.^(QM)
8 He has blocked my way so I cannot pass;^(QN)
    he has shrouded my paths in darkness.^(QO)
9 He has stripped^(QP) me of my honor^(QQ)
    and removed the crown from my head.^(QR)
10 He tears me down^(QS) on every side till I am gone;
    he uproots my hope^(QT) like a tree.^(QU)
11 His anger^(QV) burns against me;
    he counts me among his enemies.^(QW)
12 His troops advance in force;^(QX)
    they build a siege ramp^(QY) against me
    and encamp around my tent.^(QZ)

¹³ “He has alienated my family^(RA) from me;
    my acquaintances are completely estranged from me.^(RB)
14 My relatives have gone away;
    my closest friends^(RC) have forgotten me.
¹⁵ My guests^(RD) and my female servants^(RE) 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^(RF) to my own family.
¹⁸ Even the little boys^(RG) scorn me;
    when I appear, they ridicule me.^(RH)
19 All my intimate friends^(RI) detest me;^(RJ)
    those I love have turned against me.^(RK)
20 I am nothing but skin and bones;^(RL)
    I have escaped only by the skin of my teeth.^[j]

²¹ “Have pity on me, my friends,^(RM) have pity,
    for the hand of God has struck^(RN) me.
²² Why do you pursue^(RO) me as God does?^(RP)
    Will you never get enough of my flesh?^(RQ)

²³ “Oh, that my words were recorded,
    that they were written on a scroll,^(RR)
24 that they were inscribed with an iron tool^(RS) on^[k] lead,
    or engraved in rock forever!^(RT)
25 I know that my redeemer^[l](RU) lives,^(RV)
    and that in the end he will stand on the earth.^[m]
26 And after my skin has been destroyed,
    yet^[n] in^[o] my flesh I will see God;^(RW)
27 I myself will see him
    with my own eyes^(RX)—I, and not another.
    How my heart yearns^(RY) within me!

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