Job 9

1And Job answers and says:

2“Truly I have known that [it is] so, || But how is man righteous with God?

3If he delights to strive with Him—He does not answer him one of a thousand.

4Wise in heart and strong in power—Who has hardened toward Him and is at peace?

5Who is removing mountains, || And they have not known, || Who has overturned them in His anger.

6Who is shaking earth from its place, || And its pillars move themselves.

7Who is commanding to the sun, and it does not rise, || And the stars He seals up.

8Stretching out the heavens by Himself, || And treading on the heights of the sea,

9Making the Great Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, || And the inner chambers of the south.

10Doing great things until there is no searching, || And wonderful, until there is no numbering.

11Behold, He goes over by me, and I do not see, || And He passes on, and I do not attend to it.

12Behold, He snatches away, who brings it back? Who says to Him, What [are] You doing?

13God does not turn back His anger, || Proud helpers have bowed under Him.

14How much less do I answer Him? Choose out my words with Him?

15Whom, though I were righteous, I do not answer, || For my judgment I make supplication.

16Though I had called and He answers me, I do not believe that He gives ear [to] my voice.

17Because He bruises me with a storm, || And has multiplied my wounds for nothing.

18He does not permit me to refresh my spirit, || But fills me with bitter things.

19If of power, behold, the Strong One; And if of judgment—who convenes me?

20If I am righteous, my mouth declares me wicked; [If] I am perfect, it declares me perverse.

21I am perfect; I do not know my soul, I despise my life.

22It is the same thing, therefore I said, || He is consuming the perfect and the wicked.

23If a scourge puts to death suddenly, He laughs at the trial of the innocent.

24Earth has been given || Into the hand of the wicked. He covers the faces of her judges, || If not—where, who [is] he?

25My days have been swifter than a runner, || They have fled, they have not seen good,

26They have passed on with ships of reed, || As an eagle darts on food.

27Though I say, I forget my talking, || I forsake my corner, and I brighten up!

28I have been afraid of all my griefs, || I have known that You do not acquit me.

29I become wicked; why [is] this? I labor [in] vain.

30If I have washed myself with snow-water, || And purified my hands with soap,

31Then You dip me in corruption, || And my garments have detested me.

32But if a man like myself—I answer Him, || We come together into judgment.

33If there were a mediator between us, || He places his hand on us both.

34He turns aside His rod from off me, || And His terror does not make me afraid,

35I speak, and do not fear Him, but I am not right with myself.”