Job 9

1Then Job replied.

2Indeed, I know it is so, but how can a mortal be righteous with God?

3If he chooses to contend with him, he cannot answer him once in a thousand.

4Wise in heart and mighty in strength—who has hardened himself against him and succeeded?

5He displaces the mountains, and they do not know when he overturns them in his anger.

6He shakes the earth from its place, and its pillars tremble.

7who says to the sun and it does not rise, and seals up the stars.

8He alone spans the heavens and tramples the waves of the sea.

9He makes Arcturus, Orion, Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.

10He does great things beyond all searching, and wonders beyond all number.

11Behold, he passes over me, and I do not see him; he passes by, and I do not perceive him.

12See, he seizes—who can turn him back? Who will say to him, "What are you doing?"

13God does not withdraw his anger; Rahab's helpers bow beneath him.

14How much less can I answer him and choose my words against him?

15Even if I were in the right, I would not answer him; I would plead with my judge.

16If I called and he answered me, I would not believe that he heeds my voice.

17who crushes me with a tempest and increases my wounds without cause.

18He will not let me breathe again, for he fills me with bitterness.

19If it is strength, behold, he is mighty; if it is judgment, who will summon me?

20If I clear myself, my mouth condemns me; blameless though I am, it proves me perverse.

21I am blameless. I do not know my soul. I despise my life.

22It is all one; therefore I say he consumes the blameless and the wicked.

23If a scourge kills suddenly, he mocks the trial of the blameless.

24The earth is put into the hand of the wicked; he conceals the faces of its judges—if not he, then who is he, where?

25My days are swifter than a runner; they flee away, they see no good.

26They slip away like swift ships, like an eagle hastening upon its prey.

27If I say, "I will forget my complaint, abandon my gloomy face, and comfort myself,"

28I fear all my sorrows; I know that you will not acquit me.

29I will be condemned. Why then do I labor in futility?

30If I wash myself with snow water and purify my hands purely,

31Then you plunge me into the pit, and my garments detest me.

32For he is not a man like me, that I should answer him, that we should enter into judgment together.

33There is no arbiter between us who might place his hand upon us both.

34Let him remove his rod from me, and let not his dread terrify me.

35I would speak and not fear him, for I am not so in myself.