Job 9

1 This was Job’s response:ISV — Job 9:1

2 “Indeed, I’m fully aware that this is so, but how can a person become right with God?ISV — Job 9:2

3 If one were to seek to argue with him, he won’t be able to answer him even once in a thousand times.ISV — Job 9:3

4 He is wise in heart and strong in will— who can be stubborn against him and succeed?ISV — Job 9:4

5 “He removes mountains without their knowledge, overthrowing them in his anger.ISV — Job 9:5

6 He shakes the earth from its orbit, ^{a9:6 Lit. place} so that its foundations shudder.ISV — Job 9:6

7 He commands the sun so that it doesn’t shine ^{b9:7 Lit. rise} and seals up the stars.ISV — Job 9:7

8 He alone spreads out the heavens, he walks on the waves ^{c9:8 Lit. high places} of the sea.ISV — Job 9:8

9 He created Bear, Orion, the Pleiades, and the southern constellations.ISV — Job 9:9

10 He does great things that cannot be explained, and awesome deeds that cannot be counted.ISV — Job 9:10

11 “If he were to pass near me, I wouldn’t notice; if he moves by, I wouldn’t perceive him.ISV — Job 9:11

12 Indeed, if he snatches someone ^{d9:12 The Heb. lacks someone} away, who could restrain him? Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’ISV — Job 9:12

13 “God doesn’t restrain his anger. Rahab’s assistants are humiliated under him.ISV — Job 9:13

14 So how am I to answer him, choosing what I am to say to him?ISV — Job 9:14

15 Even if I’m in the right, I cannot answer him. I can only appeal for mercy.ISV — Job 9:15

16 “Were I to be summoned, and he were to answer me, I wouldn’t even believe that he was listening to what I have to say. ^{e9:16 Lit. to my voice}ISV — Job 9:16

17 For he crushes me with a storm, and keeps on wounding me for no reason.ISV — Job 9:17

18 He won’t let me catch my breath; instead, he fills me with bitterness.ISV — Job 9:18

19 “Is this a contest of strength? He is obviously stronger! Is this a matter of justice? Who can sue him?ISV — Job 9:19

20 Though I’m in the right, my own mouth will condemn me; though I’m blameless, he’ll pronounce me as guilty.ISV — Job 9:20

21 “I’m blameless; I don’t know myself; I despise my life.ISV — Job 9:21

22 I say it’s all the same— he destroys both the blameless and the guilty. ^{f9:22 Or wicked}ISV — Job 9:22

23 If a calamity ^{g9:23 Or scourge} causes sudden death, he’ll mock at the despair of the innocent.ISV — Job 9:23

24 A land is given into the hands of a wicked person; ^{h9:24 Lit. man} he covers the faces of its judges. If it is not God, ^{i9:24 Lit. he} then who is it?”ISV — Job 9:24

25 “My days pass faster than a runner; but they pass quickly without seeing anything good.ISV — Job 9:25

26 They pass by like a ship made of reeds, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.ISV — Job 9:26

27 If I were to say, ‘Let me forget my complaint,’ change ^{j9:27 Lit. forsake} the expression on ^{k9:27 The Heb. lacks the expression on} my face, and look cheerful,ISV — Job 9:27

28 then I still dread all of my suffering; I know you still won’t acquit me.ISV — Job 9:28

29 I will be condemned, so why should I wear myself out with this futility?ISV — Job 9:29

30 “If I wash myself with water from snow, and cleanse my hands with lye,ISV — Job 9:30

31 you’ll still drop me into the Pit, ^{l9:31 i.e. the place of punishment in the afterlife} and my own clothes will despise me.ISV — Job 9:31

32 He’s not a man like me, so that I can answer him, or that we can enter into litigation ^{m9:32 Lit. controversy} with one another.ISV — Job 9:32

33 There is not yet a mediator between us, who would set his hand on the two of us,ISV — Job 9:33

34 removing his rod from me, and not letting terror of him overwhelm me.ISV — Job 9:34

35 Otherwise, I would speak without being terrified of him, because I’m not like that inside myself.”ISV — Job 9:35