‘I am clear, without transgression; I am innocent, and I have no crookedness.
If I sin, then You watch me, and let no crookedness of mine go unpunished.
For You know that I am not wrong, and there is no one to deliver from Your hand.
Since you have said, ‘My discourse is flawless, and I have been clean in Your eyes.’
Look, please, I have prepared my case, I know that I am in the right.
How many are my crookednesses and sins? Let me know my transgression and my sin.
My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and You cover over my crookedness.
though no violence was on my hand, and my prayer sincere.
Upright ones are astonished at this, and the innocent stirs himself up against the defiled one.
And the righteous holds to his way, and he who has clean hands becomes stronger and stronger.
For He knows the way that I take. When He has tried me, I would come forth as gold.
I put on righteousness, and it robed me; right-ruling was my cloak and turban.
Then these three men ceased to answer Iyoḇ
But you have spoken in my hearing, and the sound of words I hear, saying,
For Iyoḇ
Would I lie concerning my right? My wound is incurable – without transgression.’
“Do you think this is right? Do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than that of Ě
And why do You not pardon my transgression, and take away my crookedness? For now I lie down in the dust, and You shall seek me, but I am not.”
For He crushes me with a storm, and has multiplied my wounds for no cause.
Am I perfect? Do I not know my own being? I despise my life!
If the scourge slays suddenly, He laughs at the trial of the innocent.
I shall be afraid of all my sufferings. I know that You do not hold me innocent.
you say, ‘Because I am innocent, certainly His displeasure shall turn from me.’ See, I shall bring judgment on you, because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’