Job 9
1 Then Job answered and said,
And Job answered and said,
2 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?
Of a truth I know it is so; but how can man be just with God?
3 If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
If he shall choose to strive with him, he cannot answer him one thing of a thousand.
4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?
He is wise in heart and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and had peace?
5 Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger.
Who removeth mountains, and they know it not, when he overturneth them in his anger;
6 Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.
Who shaketh the earth out of its place, and the pillars thereof tremble;
7 Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
Who commandeth the sun, and it riseth not, and he sealeth up the stars;
8 Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.
Who alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the high waves of the sea;
9 Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.
Who maketh the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the chambers of the south;
10 Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.
Who doeth great things past finding out, and wonders without number.
11 Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
Lo, he goeth by me, and I see [him] not; and he passeth along, and I perceive him not.
12 Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?
Behold, he taketh away: who will hinder him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou?
13 If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.
God withdraweth not his anger; the proud helpers stoop under him:
14 How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?
How much less shall I answer him, choose out my words [to strive] with him?
15 Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.
Whom, though I were righteous, [yet] would I not answer; I would make supplication to my judge.
16 If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.
If I had called, and he had answered me, I would not believe that he hearkened to my voice, —
17 For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.
He, who crusheth me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.
18 He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.
He suffereth me not to take my breath, for he filleth me with bitternesses.
19 If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?
Be it a question of strength, lo, [he is] strong; and be it of judgment, who will set me a time?
20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
If I justified myself, mine own mouth would condemn me; were I perfect, he would prove me perverse.
21 Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.
Were I perfect, [yet] would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.
22 This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
It is all one; therefore I said, he destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
23 If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
If the scourge kill suddenly, he mocketh at the trial of the innocent.
24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?
The earth is given over into the hand of the wicked [man]; he covereth the faces of its judges. If not, who then is it?
25 Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.
And my days are swifter than a runner: they flee away, they see no good.
26 They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
They pass by like skiffs of reed; as an eagle that swoops upon the prey.
27 If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:
If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my [sad] countenance, and brighten up,
28 I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.
I am afraid of all my sorrows; I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.
29 If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?
Be it that I am wicked, why then do I labour in vain?
30 If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
If I washed myself with snow-water, and cleansed my hands in purity,
31 Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.
Then wouldest thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes would abhor me.
32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.
For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him; that we should come together in judgment.
33 Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
There is not an umpire between us, who should lay his hand upon us both.
34 Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:
Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his terror make me afraid,
35 Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.
[Then] I will speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.
