1 Then Job answered and said:2 Even to-day is my complaint bitter; my hand is become heavy because of my groaning.3 Oh that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat!4 I would order my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments.5 I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say unto me.6 Would He contend with me in His great power? Nay; but He would give heed unto me.7 There the upright might reason with Him; so should I be delivered for ever from my Judge.8 Behold, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him;9 On the left hand, when He doth work, but I cannot behold Him, He turneth Himself to the right hand, but I cannot see Him.10 For He knoweth the way that I take; when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.11 My foot hath held fast to His steps, His way have I kept, and turned not aside.12 I have not gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured up the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.13 But He is at one with Himself, and who can turn Him? And what His soul desireth, even that He doeth.14 For He will perform that which is appointed for me; and many such things are with Him.15 Therefore am I affrighted at His presence; when I consider, I am afraid of Him.16 Yea, God hath made my heart faint, and the Almighty hath affrighted me;17 Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither did He cover the thick darkness from my face.

1 ויען איוב ויאמר׃2 גם היום מרי שחי ידי כבדה על אנחתי׃3 מי יתן ידעתי ואמצאהו אבוא עד תכונתו׃4 אערכה לפניו משפט ופי אמלא תוכחות׃5 אדעה מלים יענני ואבינה מה יאמר לי׃6 הברב כח יריב עמדי לא אך הוא ישם בי׃7 שם ישר נוכח עמו ואפלטה לנצח משפטי׃8 הן קדם אהלך ואיננו ואחור ולא אבין לו׃9 שמאול בעשתו ולא אחז יעטף ימין ולא אראה׃10 כי ידע דרך עמדי בחנני כזהב אצא׃11 באשרו אחזה רגלי דרכו שמרתי ולא אט׃12 מצות שפתיו ולא אמיש מחקי צפנתי אמרי פיו׃13 והוא באחד ומי ישיבנו ונפשו אותה ויעש׃14 כי ישלים חקי וכהנה רבות עמו׃15 על כן מפניו אבהל אתבונן ואפחד ממנו׃16 ואל הרך לבי ושדי הבהילני׃17 כי לא נצמתי מפני חשך ומפני כסה אפל׃