Job 9

1Job said in reply:

2Indeed I know that it is so:A mortal cannot win a suit against God.

3If someone insisted on such a trial,Not one charge in a thousand would be answered.

4Wise of heart and mighty in power—Who ever challenged divine decree and came out whole?—

5The One who moves mountains without their knowing it,Who overturns them in anger;

6Who shakes the earth from its place,Till its pillars quake;

7Who commands the sun not to shine;Who seals up the stars;

8Who alone spread out the heavens,And trod on the back of the sea;

9Who made the Bear and Orion,Pleiades, and the chambers of the south wind;

10Who performs great deeds that cannot be fathomed,And wondrous things without number.

11[God] passes me by—I am oblivious;[God] goes by me, but I do not notice.

12[God] snatches away—who can put a stop to it?Who can say, “What are You doing?”

13Rahab’s helpers sink down under GodWho does not refrain from anger.

14How then can I answer,Or choose what arguments to make?

15Though I were in the right, I could not speak out,But I would plead for mercy with my judge.

16If I issued a summons and were answered,I do not believe my voice would be heard.

17For [God] crushes me for a hair, And wounds me much for no cause—

18Not letting me catch my breath,But sating me with bitterness.

19If a trial of strength—[God] is the strong one;If a trial in court—who will make the arrangements for me?

20Though I were innocent,My mouth would condemn me;Though I were blameless, [God] would prove me crooked.

21I am blameless—I am distraught;I am sick of life.

22It is all one; therefore I say,“The blameless are destroyed along with the guilty.”

23When suddenly a scourge brings death,[God] mocks as the innocent fail.

24The earth is handed over to the wicked one;The eyes of its judges are covered.If it is not [God], then who?

25My days fly swifter than a runner;They flee without seeing happiness;

26They pass like reed-boats,Like an eagle swooping onto its prey.

27If I say, “I will forget my complaint;Abandon my sorrow and be diverted,”

28I remain in dread of all my suffering;I know that You will not acquit me.

29It will be I who am in the wrong;Why then should I waste effort?

30If I washed with soap,Cleansed my hands with lye,

31You would dip me in muckTill my clothes would abhor me.

32[God] is not someone like me whom I can answer,That we can go to law together.

33No arbiter is between usTo lay his hand on us both.

34If [God] would only take the rod away from meAnd call off the terror that frightens,

35Then I would speak out without fear;For I know myself not to be so.