Job 9
1TO this Job replied,
2Of a truth I know that it is so. For how can a mortal be righteous with the Lord?
3For were it his pleasure to come to trial with Him, he could not join issue to answer one charge of His in a thousand.
4For He is wise in heart and strong and great. Who is hardy enough to stand up against
5Him Who maketh mountains old insensibly—Who overturneth them in His anger—
6Who shaketh the earth to its foundations, so that the pillars thereof totter—
7Who commandeth the sun and it riseth not; and Who sealeth up against the stars—
8Who alone hath outspread the heaven; and Who walketh on the sea as on a pavement—
9Who is the maker of the Pleiads and Hesperus,
10and of Arcturus and the chambers of the south—Who doth things great and unsearchable; things glorious and wonderful not to be numbered?
11When He passed over me I did not see Him. When He passed by me, I did not know how.
12If He dismiss who shall bring back? Or who shall say to Him, What hast Thou done?
13For He himself slighted anger—by Him the monsters under heaven were bowed down.
14But if He will come to a trial with me, or will take cognisance of my affairs,
15(for if I be righteous will He not hearken to me—shall I not supplicate His decision?
16And if I call and He will not answer, I do not believe that He hath hearkened to my voice?)
17let Him not break me with a tempest.
18But He hath multiplied my wounds without cause. For He suffereth me not to take breath, and hath filled me with bitterness.
19For because He is strong, He prevaileth. Who then can withstand His decrees?
20For if I am righteous shall my mouth be wicked?
21And if I am blameless, shall I go away crouching? For if I have acted wickedly, I am not conscious of it myself: Nevertheless my life is taken away.
22Say, then, wrath destroyeth the great and powerful;
23that the wicked fall by an untimely death. But [say too that] the righteous are laughed to scorn:
24for they have been delivered into the hands of the wicked. He covereth the faces of the judges of that wrath. If it is not He, who is it?
25Now my days are swifter than a courier. They are gone without being perceived.
26Is there any track left by ships in their passage? Or of an eagle flying in pursuit of its prey?
27Now if I say, Let me forget speaking, let me bow down my face and groan:
28I shudder in all my limbs; for I know that Thou wilt not let me alone, though innocent.
29Now since I am wicked, why have I not died?
30For though I have washed myself with snow, and purified myself with clean hands,
31Thou hast so thoroughly plunged me in filth that my very robes abhor me.
32For Thou art not a man as I am, with whom I can contend; that we may come together to a trial.
33O that there were a mediator betwixt us—one to determine between and hear us both.
34Let Him remove His rod from me; and let not the dread of Him terrify me—
35Let me not be terrified, but speak, (for otherwise I am not master of myself).