Job 9:1-21 ▼

1 This was Job's response:

2 |Indeed, I'm fully aware that this is so, but how can a person become right with God?

3 If one were to seek to argue with him, he won't be able to answer him even once in a thousand times.

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

5 |He removes mountains without their knowledge, overthrowing them in his anger.

6 He shakes the earth from its orbit, so that its foundations shudder.

7 He commands the sun so that it doesn't shine and seals up the stars.

8 He alone spreads out the heavens, he walks on the waves of the sea.

9 He created Bear, Orion, the Pleiades, and the southern constellations.

10 He does great things that cannot be explained, and awesome deeds that cannot be counted.

11 |If he were to pass near me, I wouldn't notice; if he moves by, I wouldn't perceive him.

12 Indeed, if he snatches someone away, who could restrain him? Who can say to him, 'What are you doing?'

13 |God doesn't restrain his anger. Rahab's assistants are humiliated under him.

14 So how am I to answer him, choosing what I am to say to him?

15 Even if I'm in the right, I cannot answer him. I can only appeal 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.

17 For he crushes me with a storm, and keeps on wounding me for no reason.

18 He won't let me catch my breath; instead, he fills me with bitterness.

19 |Is this a contest of strength? He is obviously stronger! Is this a matter of justice? Who can sue him?

20 Though I'm in the right, my own mouth will condemn me; though I'm blameless, he'll pronounce me as guilty.

21 |I'm blameless; I don't know myself; I despise my life.