Job 9:1-21 ▼

1 And Job answered and said,

2 Of a truth I know it is so; but how can man be just with God?

3 If he shall choose to strive with him, he cannot answer him one thing of a thousand.

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

5 Who removeth mountains, and they know it not, when he overturneth them in his anger;

6 Who shaketh the earth out of its place, and the pillars thereof tremble;

7 Who commandeth the sun, and it riseth not, and he sealeth up the stars;

8 Who alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the high waves of the sea;

9 Who maketh the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the chambers of the south;

10 Who doeth great things past finding out, and wonders without number.

11 Lo, he goeth by me, and I see [him] not; and he passeth along, and I perceive him not.

12 Behold, he taketh away: who will hinder him? Who will say unto him, What doest thou?

13 +God withdraweth not his anger; the proud helpers stoop under him:

14 How much less shall I answer him, choose out my words [to strive] with him?

15 Whom, though I were righteous, [yet] would I not answer; I would make supplication to my judge.

16 If I had called, and he had answered me, I would not believe that he hearkened to my voice, --

17 He, who crusheth me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.

18 He suffereth me not to take my breath, for he filleth me with bitternesses.

19 Be it a question of strength, lo, [he is] strong; and be it of judgment, who will set me a time?

20 If I justified myself, mine own mouth would condemn me; were I perfect, he would prove me perverse.

21 Were I perfect, [yet] would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.