NRSV Job 9 Chapter
9:1
Then Job answered:
9:2
"Indeed I know that this is so; but how can a mortal be just before God?
9:3
If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand.
9:4
He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength-- who has resisted him, and succeeded?--
9:5
he who removes mountains, and they do not know it, 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
9:10
who does great things beyond understanding, and marvelous things without number.
9:11
Look, he passes by me, and I do not see him; he moves on, but I do not perceive him.
9:12
He snatches away; who can stop him? Who will say to him, 'What are you doing?'
9:13
"God will not turn back his anger; the helpers of Rahab bowed beneath him.
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 do not believe that he would listen 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, he is the strong one! 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 do not know 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 eyes 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 you will not hold me innocent.
9:29
I shall be condemned; why then do I labor in vain?
9:30
If I wash myself with soap and cleanse my hands with lye,
9:31
yet you will plunge me into filth, and my own clothes will abhor me.
9:32
For he is not a mortal, 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 on us both.
9:34
If he would take his rod away from me, and not let dread of him terrify me,
9:35
then I would speak without fear of him, for I know I am not what I am thought to be.