“ Yes , I know that (it is) so , but how can a mortal be righteous before God ?
If one wished to contend with (God) , he could not answer Him one (time) out of a thousand.
(God is) wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has resisted Him and prospered ?
He moves mountains without their knowledge (and) overturns them in His anger.
He shakes the earth from its place , so that its foundations tremble.
He commands the sun not to shine ; He seals off ... the stars.
He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.
He is the Maker of the Bear (and) Orion , of the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.
He does great things beyond ... searching out , and wonders ... without number.
Were He to pass by me , I would not see Him ; were He to move , I would not recognize
If He takes away , who can stop Him ? Who dares to ask Him , ‘ What are You doing ? ’
God does not restrain His anger ; the helpers of Rahab cower beneath Him.
How then can I answer Him or choose my arguments against Him ?
For even if I were right , I could not answer. I could only beg my Judge for mercy.
If I summoned Him and He answered me , I do not believe - He would listen to my voice.
For He would crush me with a tempest and multiply my wounds without cause.
He does not let me catch my breath , but overwhelms me with bitterness.
If it is a matter of strength , He is indeed mighty ! If it is a matter of justice , who can summon Him ?
Even if I were righteous , my mouth would condemn me ; if I were blameless , it would declare me guilty.
Though I am blameless , I have no concern for myself ; I despise my own life.
It is all the same , and so ... I say , ‘ He destroys both the blameless and the wicked. ’
When the scourge brings sudden death , He mocks the despair of the innocent.
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked ; He blindfolds ... its Judges -. If it is not (He) , then who (is) it ?
My days are swifter than a runner ; they flee without seeing good.
They sweep by like boats of papyrus , like an eagle swooping down on its prey.
If I were to say , ‘ I will forget my complaint (and) change my expression and smile , ’
I would still dread all my sufferings ; I know that You will not acquit me.
Since I am already found guilty , why ... should I labor in vain ?
If I should wash myself with snow and cleanse my hands with lye ,
then You would plunge me into the pit , and even my own clothes would despise me.
For He is not a man like me , that I can answer Him , that we can take each other to court.
Nor is there a mediator between us , to lay his hand upon us both.
Let Him remove His rod from me , so that His terror will no longer frighten me.
Then I would speak without fear of Him. But as it is ... , I am on my own. (’’)