Old Testament

Then Job answered and said,

Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.

Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.

Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?

If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.

How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him? Reflection This verse gives voice to the humility and awe that mark Job’s wrestling with God. Having just acknowledged God’s unmatched power and wisdom, Job turns inward, recognizing the impossibility of mounting a reasoned defense before the Almighty. The […]

Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.

If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.

For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.

He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness. Reflection This verse gives voice to the suffocating weight of prolonged suffering. Job speaks not with theological distance, but with exhausted honesty. Relief feels denied, and sorrow feels relentless. The words do not accuse God of absence—but of overwhelming nearness that […]

If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?

I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?

If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.

Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.

This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.

If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.

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?

Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.

They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.

If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:

I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.

If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?

If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.

If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;

Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.

For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.

Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.

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

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

He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?