Then Job answered and said,
2“我真的知道是这样， 但人在神前怎能成为义呢？I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?
3人若想要与他争辩， 千次中也不能回答一次。If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
4他心里有智慧，且大有能力。 谁向神刚硬而得平安呢？He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?
5他把山挪移，山却不知， 他在怒气中，把山翻倒。Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger.
6他使地震动，离其本位， 地的柱子就摇撼。Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.
7他吩咐太阳，太阳就不出来， 又封住众星。Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
8他独自铺张诸天， 步行在海浪之上。Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.
9他造北斗、参星、昴星， 以及南方的星宿☛“南方的星宿”：原文是“南方的内宫”。；Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.
10他行大事不可测度， 行奇事不可胜数。Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.
11看哪，他从我旁边经过，我看不见； 他走过，我没有察觉他。Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
12看哪，他夺去，谁能阻挡他？ 谁敢对他说：‘你做什么呢？’Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?
13“神必不收回他的怒气， 扶助拉哈伯☛“拉哈伯”是神话故事中的大海怪。的，屈身在神以下。If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.
14既是这样，我怎敢回答他， 怎敢在他之前选择辩词呢？How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?
15我虽有义，也不能回答， 我要向那审判我的恳求。Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.
16我若呼求，纵然他应允我， 我仍不信他会侧耳听我的声音。If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.
17他用暴风☛“用暴风”：原文另译“为一根头发”。摧折我， 无故加增我的损伤。For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.
18他不容我喘一口气， 倒使我饱受苦恼。He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.
19若论力量，看哪，他真有能力！ 若论审判，‘谁能传我呢？’If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?
20我虽有义，我的口要定我有罪； 我虽完全，他必证明我为弯曲。If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
21我虽完全，不顾自己； 我厌弃我的性命。Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.
22所以我说，都是一样； 完全人和恶人，他都灭绝。This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
23若灾祸忽然带来死亡， 他必戏笑无辜人的苦难。If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
24世界交在恶人手中； 他蒙蔽世界审判官的脸， 若不是他，那么是谁呢？The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?
25“我的日子比奔跑者更快， 急速过去，不见福乐。Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.
26我的日子如蒲草船掠过， 如鹰俯冲抓食。They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
27我若说：‘我要忘记我的苦情， 强颜欢笑’，If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:
28我就因一切的愁苦而惧怕； 我知道你必不以我为无辜。I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.
29我必被定罪， 我何必徒然劳苦呢？If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?
30我若用雪水洗身， 用碱洁净我的手掌，If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
31你还要把我扔在坑里， 我的衣服都憎恶我。Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.
32他不像我是个人，使我可以回答他， 使我们可以一同受审判。For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.
33我们中间没有仲裁者， 可以按手在我们两造之间。Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
34愿他使他的杖离开我， 不使他的威严恐吓我，Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:
35我就说话，不惧怕他； 但对我来说，我却不是这样。”Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.