< Job 9 >
1 Then Job answered and said,
Then Job answered and said,
2 I know [it to be] so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?
I know it is so truthfully: but how should man be just with God?
3 If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one 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 has hardened himself against him, and has prospered?
5 Who removeth the mountains, and they know not: who overturneth them in his anger.
Which removes the mountains, and they know not: which overturns them in his anger.
6 Who shaketh the earth out of her place, and its pillars tremble.
Which shakes the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.
7 Who commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
Which commands the sun, and it rises not; and seals up the stars.
8 Who alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.
Which alone spreads out the heavens, and treads upon the waves of the sea.
9 Who maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.
Which makes Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.
10 Who doeth great things past finding out; yes, and wonders without number.
Which does great things past finding out; yea, 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 goes by me, and I see him not: he passes on also, but I perceive him not.
12 Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say to him, What doest thou?
Behold, he takes away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What do you?
13 [If] God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.
If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do 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, and choose out my words to reason 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, but I would make supplication to my judge.
16 If I had called, and he had answered me; [yet] I would not believe that he had hearkened to my voice.
If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.
17 For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.
For he breaks me with a tempest, and multiplies my wounds without cause.
18 He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.
He will not suffer me to take my breath, but fills me with bitterness.
19 If [I speak] of strength, lo, [he is] strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time [to plead]?
If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?
20 If I justify myself, my own mouth will condemn me: [if I say], I [am] perfect, that also will prove me perverse.
If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
21 [Though] I [were] perfect, [yet] would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.
Though I were 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.
This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroys the perfect and the wicked.
23 If the scourge shall slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of its judges; if not, where, [and] who [is] he?
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covers the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?
25 Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.
Now my days are swifter than a post: 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 are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hastes to 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 heaviness, and comfort myself:
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 you will not hold me innocent.
29 [If] I am wicked, why then do I labor in vain?
If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?
30 If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
31 Yet wilt thou plunge me in the ditch, and my own clothes shall abhor me.
Yet shall you plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall detest 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, and we should come together in judgment.
33 Neither is there any judge between us, [that] might lay his hand upon us both.
Neither is there any arbitrator between us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
34 Let him take away his rod from me, and let not his fear terrify me:
Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:
35 [Then] would I speak, and not fear him; but [it is] not so with me.
Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.