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…what will I do when God rises to judge? How will I answer when called to account?

…what will I do when God rises to judge? How will I answer when called to account?

If I have denied the desires of the poor or allowed the widow’s eyes to fail,

…if I have eaten my morsel alone, not sharing it with the fatherless—

…though from my youth I reared him as would a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow—

…though from my youth I reared him as would a father, and from my mother’s womb I guided the widow—

…if I have seen one perish for lack of clothing, or a needy man without a cloak,

…if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless because I saw that I had support in the gate,

…if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless because I saw that I had support in the gate,

…if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless because I saw that I had support in the gate,

For calamity from God terrifies me, and His splendor I cannot overpower.

If I have put my trust in gold or called pure gold my security,

…if I have rejoiced in my great wealth because my hand had gained so much,

…if I have beheld the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendor,

…this would also be an iniquity to be judged, for I would have denied God on high.

If I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin, or exulted when evil befell him—

I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life with a curse—

…if I have covered my transgressions like Adam by hiding my guilt in my heart,

…because I greatly feared the crowds and the contempt of the clans terrified me, so that I kept silent and would not go outside—

…because I greatly feared the crowds and the contempt of the clans terrified me, so that I kept silent and would not go outside—

(Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my signature. Let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser compose an indictment.

Surely I would carry it on my shoulder and wear it like a crown.

I would give account of all my steps; I would approach Him like a prince.)—

I would give account of all my steps; I would approach Him like a prince.)—

…if I have devoured its produce without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants,

So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared: “I am young in years, while you are old; that is why I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know.

So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared: “I am young in years, while you are old; that is why I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know.

So Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite declared: “I am young in years, while you are old; that is why I was timid and afraid to tell you what I know.

I thought that age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom.

Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’

Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’

Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; I too will declare what I know.’

Indeed, I waited while you spoke; I listened to your reasoning; as you searched for words,

Indeed, I waited while you spoke; I listened to your reasoning; as you searched for words,

I paid you full attention. But no one proved Job wrong; not one of you rebutted his arguments.

But Job has not directed his words against me, and I will not answer him with your arguments.

Must I wait, now that they are silent, now that they stand and no longer reply?

I too will answer; yes, I will declare what I know.

I too will answer; yes, I will declare what I know.

I too will answer; yes, I will declare what I know.

For I am full of words, and my spirit within me compels me.

I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond.

I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond.

I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man.

I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man.

For I do not know how to flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant.

Behold, I will open my mouth; my address is on the tip of my tongue.

My words are from an upright heart, and my lips speak sincerely what I know.

I am just like you before God; I was also formed from clay.

I am just like you before God; I was also formed from clay.

Surely you have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard these very words:

‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, with no iniquity in me.

‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, with no iniquity in me.

Behold, you are not right in this matter. I will answer you, for God is greater than man.

…to be gracious to him and say, ‘Spare him from going down to the Pit; I have found his ransom,’

Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.

Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.

Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.

He redeemed my soul from going down to the Pit, and I will live to see the light.’

Pay attention, Job, and listen to me; be silent, and I will speak.

But if you have something to say, answer me; speak up, for I would like to vindicate you.

But if not, then listen to me; be quiet, and I will teach you wisdom.”

For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice.

Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’

Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’

Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.

Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more.

Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’

Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’

Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’

Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed Him? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know.

“Do you think this is just? You say, ‘I am more righteous than God.’

For you ask, ‘What does it profit me, and what benefit do I gain apart from sin?’

I will reply to you and to your friends as well.

“Bear with me a little longer, and I will show you that there is more to be said on God’s behalf.

I get my knowledge from afar, and I will ascribe justice to my Maker.

I get my knowledge from afar, and I will ascribe justice to my Maker.

Should He be told that I want to speak? Would a man ask to be swallowed up?

Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.

Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.

…when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket,

…when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors,

…and I declared: ‘You may come this far, but no farther; here your proud waves must stop’?

…which I hold in reserve for times of trouble, for the day of war and battle?

I made the wilderness his home and the salt flats his dwelling.

“Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth.

“Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth.

“Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth.

I have spoken once, but I have no answer—twice, but I have nothing to add.”

I have spoken once, but I have no answer—twice, but I have nothing to add.”

I have spoken once, but I have no answer—twice, but I have nothing to add.”

“Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.

Then I will confess to you that your own right hand can save you.

Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you. He feeds on grass like an ox.

Who has given to Me that I should repay him? Everything under heaven is Mine.

I cannot keep silent about his limbs, his power and graceful form.

“I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted.

You asked, ‘Who is this who conceals My counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.

You asked, ‘Who is this who conceals My counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.

You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak. I will question you, and you shall inform Me.’