Job 9

1

Then Job answered and said,

Then Job answered and said,

2

Of a truth I know that it is so: But how can man be just with God?

I know it is so of a truth : but how should man be just with God?

3

If he be pleased to 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 prospered? -

He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?

5

`Him' that removeth the mountains, and they know it not , When he overturneth them in his anger ;

Which removeth the mountains, and they know not : which overturneth them in his anger .

6

That shaketh the earth out of its place, And the pillars thereof tremble ;

Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble .

7

That commandeth the sun, and it riseth not , And sealeth up the stars ;

Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not ; and sealeth up the stars .

8

That alone stretcheth out the heavens, And treadeth upon the waves of the sea ;

Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea .

9

That maketh the Bear , Orion, and the Pleiades, And the chambers of the south ;

Which maketh Arcturus , Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south .

10

That doeth great things past finding out , Yea, marvellous things without number.

Which doeth 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 goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.

12

Behold, he seizeth `the prey' , who can hinder him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou?

Behold, he taketh away , who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?

13

God will not withdraw his anger ; The helpers of Rahab 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 ; 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 would I not believe that he hearkened unto 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 breaketh 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 will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.

19

If `we speak ' of strength, lo, ` he is ' mighty! And if of justice , Who , `saith he', will summon me?

If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment , who shall set me a time to plead ?

20

Though I be righteous , mine own mouth shall condemn me: Though I be perfect, it shall 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

I am perfect ; I regard not myself; I despise my life.

Though I were perfect , yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.

22

It is all one ; therefore I say , He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.

This is one thing, therefore I said it , He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.

23

If the scourge slay suddenly, He will mock 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 the judges thereof : If `it be' not `he' , who then is it ?

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 ?

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 swoopeth on the prey.

They are passed away as the swift ships : as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.

27

If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will put off my `sad' countenance , and be of good cheer;

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 thou wilt not hold me innocent.

29

I shall be condemned; 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 mine own clothes shall abhor me.

Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.

32

For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, That 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

There is no umpire betwixt us, That might lay his hand upon us both.

Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.

34

Let him take his rod away from me, And let not his terror make me afraid :

Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:

35

Then would I speak, and not fear him; For I am not so in myself .

Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me .