Job Chapter 9
1 Job said,
2 Truly I know it is so, but how can man be just with God?
3 If he will argue with Him, he cannot answer Him one of a thousand.
4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against Him and been blessed.
5 Who removes the mountains and they do not know it when He overturns them in His anger.
6 Who shakes the earth out of its place and the pillars of it tremble.
7 Who commands the sun and it does not rise and who seals up the stars?
8 Who alone spreads out the heavens and walks on the waves of the sea.
9 Who made the Arcturus the Bear, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.
10 Who does great things beyond finding out. Yes, wondrous things without number.
11 Indeed⁺, He goes by me and I do not see Him. He passes on also, but I do not perceive Him.
12 Indeed⁺, He takes away. Who can turn Him back? Who will say to Him, What are you doing?
13 God will not withdraw His anger. The helpers of pride stoop under Him.
14 How much less will I answer Him, and choose my arguments with Him?
15 Whom, though I were righteous, yet I would not answer. I seek mercy for my judgment.
16 If I had called and He had answered me, yet would I not believe that He had listened to my voice?
17 He breaks me with a tempest and multiplies my wounds without cause.
18 He will not allow me to take my breath but fills me with bitterness.
19 If I speak of strength, He is mighty. If of judgment, who will set me a time?
20 If I justify myself, my own mouth will condemn me. Though I am perfect, He will declare me perverse.
21 Though I were perfect, yet I would not know my soul. I would despise my life.
22 It is One, therefore I said, He is consuming the perfect and the wicked.
23 If the whip⁺ kills⁺ suddenly, He will mock⁺ at the affliction⁺ of the innocent.
24 The earth is given into the hands of the wicked. He covers the faces of its judges. If it is not He, then who is it?
25 Now my days are swifter than a runner. They flee away, they see no good.
26 They have passed away like the swift ships. Like the eagle who swoops on the prey.
27 If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will depart from my heaviness and be of good cheer,
28 I am afraid of all my sorrows; I know that you will not hold me innocent.
29 I have been condemned. Why then should I labor in vain?
30 If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands ever so clean,
31 yet you will plunge me into the ditch and my own clothes will despise me.
32 For He is not a man, as I am, that I should answer Him, that we should come together in judgment;
33 there is no mediator between us, who might lay his hand on us both.
34 Let Him take His rod away from me, and do not let His fear make me afraid;
35 then would I speak and not fear Him. For it is not so with me.