RSV Job 9 Chapter
9:1
Then Job answered:
9:2
'Truly I know that it is so: But how can a man be just before God?
9:3
If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times.
9:4
He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength -- who has hardened himself against him, and succeeded? --
9:5
he who removes mountains, and they know it not, when he overturns them in his anger;
9:6
who shakes the earth out of its place, and its pillars tremble;
9:7
who commands the sun, and it does not rise;who seals up the stars;
9:8
who alone stretched out the heavens, and trampled the waves of the sea;
9:9
who made the Bear and Orion, the Plei'ades and the chambers of the south;
9:10
who does great things beyond understanding, and marvelous things without number.
9:11
Lo, he passes by me, and I see him not;he moves on, but I do not perceive him.
9:12
Behold, he snatches away;who can hinder him? Who will say to him, What doest thou'?
9:13
'God will not turn back his anger;beneath him bowed the helpers of Rahab.
9:14
How then can I answer him, choosing my words with him?
9:15
Though I am innocent, I cannot answer him;I must appeal for mercy to my accuser.
9:16
If I summoned him and he answered me, I would not believe that he was listening to my voice.
9:17
For he crushes me with a tempest, and multiplies my wounds without cause;
9:18
he will not let me get my breath, but fills me with bitterness.
9:19
If it is a contest of strength, behold him! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him?
9:20
Though I am innocent, my own mouth would condemn me;though I am blameless, he would prove me perverse.
9:21
I am blameless;I regard not myself;I loathe my life.
9:22
It is all one;therefore I say, he destroys both the blameless and the wicked.
9:23
When disaster brings sudden death, he mocks at the calamity of the innocent.
9:24
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked;he covers the faces of its judges -- if it is not he, who then is it?
9:25
'My days are swifter than a runner;they flee away, they see no good.
9:26
They go by like skiffs of reed, like an eagle swooping on the prey.
9:27
If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad countenance, and be of good cheer,'
9:28
I become afraid of all my suffering, for I know thou wilt not hold me innocent.
9:29
I shall be condemned;why then do I labor in vain?
9:30
If I wash myself with snow, and cleanse my hands with lye,
9:31
yet thou wilt plunge me into a pit, and my own clothes will abhor me.
9:32
For he is not a man, as I am, that I might answer him, that we should come to trial together.
9:33
There is no umpire between us, who might lay his hand upon us both.
9:34
Let him take his rod away from me, and let not dread of him terrify me.
9:35
Then I would speak without fear of him, for I am not so in myself.