Job 9
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International Standard VersionHolman Christian Standard Bible
1This was Job's response:1Then Job answered:
2"Indeed, I'm fully aware that this is so, but how can a person become right with God?2Yes, I know what you've said is true, but how can a person be justified before God?
3If one were to seek to argue with him, he won't be able to answer him even once in a thousand times.3If one wanted to take Him to court, he could not answer God once in a thousand times.
4He is wise in heart and strong in will— who can be stubborn against him and succeed?4God is wise and all-powerful. Who has opposed Him and come out unharmed?
5"He removes mountains without their knowledge, overthrowing them in his anger.5He removes mountains without their knowledge, overturning them in His anger.
6He shakes the earth from its orbit, so that its foundations shudder.6He shakes the earth from its place so that its pillars tremble.
7He commands the sun so that it doesn't shine and seals up the stars.7He commands the sun not to shine and seals off the stars.
8He alone spreads out the heavens, he walks on the waves of the sea.8He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.
9He created Bear, Orion, the Pleiades, and the southern constellations.9He makes the stars: the Bear, Orion, the Pleiades, and the constellations of the southern sky.
10He does great things that cannot be explained, and awesome deeds that cannot be counted.10He does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number.
11"If he were to pass near me, I wouldn't notice; if he moves by, I wouldn't perceive him.11If He passes by me, I wouldn't see Him; if He goes right by, I wouldn't recognize Him.
12Indeed, if he snatches someone away, who could restrain him? Who can say to him, 'What are you doing?'12If He snatches something, who can stop Him? Who can ask Him, "What are You doing?"
13"God doesn't restrain his anger. Rahab's assistants are humiliated under him.13God does not hold back His anger; Rahab's assistants cringe in fear beneath Him!
14So how am I to answer him, choosing what I am to say to him?14How then can I answer Him or choose my arguments against Him?
15Even if I'm in the right, I cannot answer him. I can only appeal for mercy.15Even if I were in the right, I could not answer. I could only beg my Judge for mercy.
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. 16If I summoned Him and He answered me, I do not believe He would pay attention to what I said.
17For he crushes me with a storm, and keeps on wounding me for no reason.17He batters me with a whirlwind and multiplies my wounds without cause.
18He won't let me catch my breath; instead, he fills me with bitterness.18He doesn't let me catch my breath but soaks me with bitter experiences.
19"Is this a contest of strength? He is obviously stronger! Is this a matter of justice? Who can sue him?19If it is a matter of strength, look, He is the Mighty One! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him?
20Though I'm in the right, my own mouth will condemn me; though I'm blameless, he'll pronounce me as guilty.20Even if I were in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, my mouth would declare me guilty.
21"I'm blameless; I don't know myself; I despise my life.21Though I am blameless, I no longer care about myself; I renounce my life.
22I say it's all the same— he destroys both the blameless and the guilty. 22It is all the same. Therefore I say, "He destroys both the blameless and the wicked."
23If a calamity causes sudden death, he'll mock at the despair of the innocent.23When disaster brings sudden death, He mocks the despair of the innocent.
24A land is given into the hands of a wicked person; he covers the faces of its judges. If it is not God, then who is it?"24The earth is handed over to the wicked; He blindfolds its judges. If it isn't He, then who is it?
25"My days pass faster than a runner; but they pass quickly without seeing anything good.25My days fly by faster than a runner; they flee without seeing any good.
26They pass by like a ship made of reeds, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.26They sweep by like boats made of papyrus, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.
27If I were to say, 'Let me forget my complaint,' change the expression on my face, and look cheerful,27If I said, "I will forget my complaint, change my expression, and smile,"
28then I still dread all of my suffering; I know you still won't acquit me.28I would still live in terror of all my pains. I know You will not acquit me.
29I will be condemned, so why should I wear myself out with this futility?29Since I will be found guilty, why should I labor in vain?
30"If I wash myself with water from snow, and cleanse my hands with lye,30If I wash myself with snow, and cleanse my hands with lye,
31you'll still drop me into the Pit, and my own clothes will despise me.31then You dip me in a pit of mud, and my own clothes despise me!
32He's not a man like me, so that I can answer him, or that we can enter into litigation with one another.32For He is not a man like me, that I can answer Him, that we can take each other to court.
33There is not yet a mediator between us, who would set his hand on the two of us,33There is no one to judge between us, to lay his hand on both of us.
34removing his rod from me, and not letting terror of him overwhelm me.34Let Him take His rod away from me so His terror will no longer frighten me.
35Otherwise, I would speak without being terrified of him, because I'm not like that inside myself."35Then I would speak and not fear Him. But that is not the case; I am on my own.
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
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Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Job 8
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