Job 9
1 Then Iob answered, and sayd,
Then Job answered and said:
2 I knowe verily that it is so: for howe should man compared vnto God, be iustified?
Of a truth, I know that it is so: For how can man be just before God?
3 If I would dispute with him, hee could not answere him one thing of a thousand.
If he choose to contend with him, He cannot answer him to one charge of a thousand.
4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath bene fierce against him and hath prospered?
He is excellent in wisdom, mighty in strength: Who hath hardened himself against him, and prospered?
5 He remoueth the mountaines, and they feele not when he ouerthroweth them in his wrath.
He removeth the mountains, and they know it not; He overturneth them in his anger.
6 Hee remooueth the earth out of her place, that the pillars thereof doe shake.
He shaketh the earth out of her place, And the pillars thereof tremble.
7 He commandeth the sunne, and it riseth not: hee closeth vp the starres, as vnder a signet.
He commandeth the sun, and it riseth not, And he sealeth up the stars.
8 Hee himselfe alone spreadeth out the heauens, and walketh vpon the height of the sea.
He alone spreadeth out the heavens, And walketh upon the high waves of the sea.
9 He maketh the starres Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the climates of the South.
He made the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, And the secret chambers of the South.
10 He doeth great things, and vnsearcheable: yea, marueilous things without nomber.
He doeth great things past finding out, Yea, wonderful things without number.
11 Lo, when he goeth by me, I see him not: and when he passeth by, I perceiue him not.
Lo! he goeth by me, but I see him not; He passeth along, but I do not perceive him.
12 Behold, when he taketh a pray, who can make him to restore it? who shall say vnto him, What doest thou?
Lo! he seizeth, and who can hinder him? Who will say to him, What doest thou?
13 God will not withdrawe his anger, and the most mightie helpes doe stoupe vnder him.
God will not turn away his anger; The proud helpers are brought low before him.
14 Howe much lesse shall I answere him? or howe should I finde out my words with him?
How much less shall I answer him, And choose out words to contend with him?
15 For though I were iust, yet could I not answere, but I would make supplication to my Iudge.
Though I were innocent, I would not answer him; I would cast myself on the mercy of my judge.
16 If I cry, and he answere me, yet woulde I not beleeue, that he heard my voyce.
Should I call, and he make answer to me, I could not believe that he listened to my voice, —
17 For he destroyeth mee with a tempest, and woundeth me without cause.
He who falleth upon me with a tempest, And multiplieth my wounds without cause!
18 He wil not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitternesse.
Who will not suffer me to take my breath, But filleth me with bitterness!
19 If we speake of strength, behold, he is strog: if we speake of iudgement, who shall bring me in to pleade?
If I look to strength, “Lo! here am I!” [[saith he, ]] If to justice, “Who shall summon me to trial?”
20 If I woulde iustifie my selfe, mine owne mouth shall condemne mee: if I would be perfite, he shall iudge me wicked.
Though I were upright, yet must my own mouth condemn me; Though I were innocent, He would prove me perverse.
21 Though I were perfite, yet I knowe not my soule: therefore abhorre I my life.
Though I were innocent, I would not care for myself; I would despise my life.
22 This is one point: therefore I said, Hee destroyeth the perfite and the wicked.
It is all one; therefore I will affirm, He destroyeth the righteous and the wicked alike.
23 If the scourge should suddenly slay, should God laugh at the punishment of the innocent?
When the scourge bringeth sudden destruction, He laugheth at the sufferings of the innocent.
24 The earth is giuen into the hand of ye wicked: he couereth the faces of the iudges therof: if not, where is he? or who is he?
The earth is given into the hands of the wicked; He covereth the face of the judges thereof; If it be not He, who is it?
25 My dayes haue bene more swift then a post: they haue fled, and haue seene no good thing.
My days have been swifter than a courier; They have fled away; they have seen no good.
26 They are passed as with the most swift ships, and as the eagle that flyeth to the pray.
They have gone by like the reed-skiffs; Like the eagle, darting upon his prey.
27 If I say, I wil forget my complaynt, I will cease from my wrath, and comfort mee,
If I say, I will forget my lamentation, I will change my countenance, and take courage,
28 Then I am afrayd of all my sorowes, knowing that thou wilt not iudge me innocent.
Still am I in dread of the multitude of my sorrows; For I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.
29 If I be wicked, why labour I thus in vaine?
I shall be found guilty; Why then should I labor in vain?
30 If I wash my selfe with snowe water, and purge mine hands most cleane,
If I wash myself in snow, And cleanse my hands with lye,
31 Yet shalt thou plunge mee in the pit, and mine owne clothes shall make me filthie.
Still wilt thou plunge me into the pit, So that my own clothes will abhor me.
32 For he is not a man as I am, that I shoulde answere him, if we come together to iudgement.
For He is not a man, as I am, that I may contend with him, And that we may go together into judgment;
33 Neyther is there any vmpire that might lay his hand vpon vs both.
There is no umpire between us, Who may lay his hand upon us both.
34 Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his feare astonish me:
Let him take from me his rod, And not dismay me with his terrors,
35 Then will I speake, and feare him not: but because I am not so, I holde me still.
Then I will speak, and not be afraid of him: For I am not so at heart.
