Job - Chapter 9 | New International Version

  • 1. Then Job replied:
  • 2. Indeed, I know that this is true. But how can a mortal be righteous before God?
  • 3. Though one wished to dispute with him, he could not answer him one time out of a thousand.
  • 4. His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?
  • 5. He moves mountains without their knowing it and overturns them in his anger.
  • 6. He shakes the earth from its place and makes its pillars tremble.
  • 7. He speaks to the sun and it does not shine; he seals off the light of the stars.
  • 8. He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.
  • 9. He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.
  • 10. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.
  • 11. When he passes me, I cannot see him; when he goes by, I cannot perceive him.
  • 12. If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, 'What are you doing?'
  • 13. God does not restrain his anger; even the cohorts of Rahab cowered at his feet.
  • 14. How then can I dispute with him? How can I find words to argue with him?
  • 15. Though I were innocent, I could not answer him; I could only plead with my Judge for mercy.
  • 16. Even if I summoned him and he responded, I do not believe he would give me a hearing.
  • 17. He would crush me with a storm and multiply my wounds for no reason.
  • 18. He would not let me regain my breath but would overwhelm me with misery.
  • 19. If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty! And if it is a matter of justice, who will summon him?
  • 20. Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty.
  • 21. Although I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own life.
  • 22. It is all the same; that is why I say, 'He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.'
  • 23. When a scourge brings sudden death, he mocks the despair of the innocent.
  • 24. When a land falls into the hands of the wicked, he blindfolds its judges. If it is not he, then who is it?
  • 25. My days are swifter than a runner; they fly away without a glimpse of joy.
  • 26. They skim past like boats of papyrus, like eagles swooping down on their prey.
  • 27. If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile,'
  • 28. I still dread all my sufferings, for I know you will not hold me innocent.
  • 29. Since I am already found guilty, why should I struggle in vain?
  • 30. Even if I washed myself with soap and my hands with washing soda,
  • 31. you would plunge me into a slime pit so that even my clothes would detest me.
  • 32. He is not a man like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court.
  • 33. If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both,
  • 34. someone to remove God's rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more.
  • 35. Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot.
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