Behold, I cry out, ‘Violence!’ but I am not answered; I call for help, but there is no justice.
O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.
though I call and cry for help, he shuts out my prayer;
Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?
For Job has said, ‘I am in the right, and God has taken away my right;
Oh, that I had one to hear me! (Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!) Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary! Surely I would carry it on my shoulder; I would bind it on me as a crown;
I cry to you for help and you do not answer me; I stand, and you only look at me.
Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat! I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would know what he would answer me and understand what he would say to me. Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No; he would pay attention to me. There an upright man could argue with him, and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.
“Behold, I know your thoughts and your schemes to wrong me.
For whenever I speak, I cry out, I shout, “Violence and destruction!” For the word of the Lord has become for me a reproach and derision all day long.
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.
that he would argue the case of a man with God, as a son of man does with his neighbor.
although there is no violence in my hands, and my prayer is pure. “O earth, cover not my blood, and let my cry find no resting place. Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and he who testifies for me is on high.
Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face. This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him. Keep listening to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears. Behold, I have prepared my case; I know that I shall be in the right. Who is there who will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die.
If I am guilty, woe to me! If I am in the right, I cannot lift up my head, for I am filled with disgrace and look on my affliction. And were my head lifted up, you would hunt me like a lion and again work wonders against me. You renew your witnesses against me and increase your vexation toward me; you bring fresh troops against me.
Does it seem good to you to oppress, to despise the work of your hands and favor the designs of the wicked?
For he is not a man, as I am, that I might answer him, that we should come to trial together.
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked; he covers the faces of its judges— if it is not he, who then is it?
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