Job 9

Then Job answered and said,

Job, with a heavy heart, responded, saying,

I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?

Indeed, I acknowledge the truth: but how can we, as humans, ever be truly righteous in God's eyes?

If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.

If one dares to challenge God, they won't be able to respond to even one in a thousand of His points.

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

He carries wisdom in his heart and strength in his soul. Who can oppose him and still find success?

Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger.

He effortlessly moves mountains, unnoticed by all, and in his fury, he can topple them.

Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.

Who stirs the earth from its spot, making its very foundations quiver.

Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.

He who commands the sun not to rise and hides the stars away.

Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.

He alone unfurls the vast sky and walks upon the sea's rolling waves.

Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.

He who creates the stars of Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the mysteries of the southern skies.

Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.

He performs incredible deeds, beyond human comprehension, and countless miracles.

Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.

Though he moves beside me, I can't see him; even when he passes by, I can't recognize him.

Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?

Look, when He decides to take something away, who can stop Him? Who dares to question His actions?

If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.

If God remains angry, even the most arrogant supporters bow before Him.

How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?

How can I possibly respond to him or select the right words to argue my case?

Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.

Even if I were pure, I wouldn't defend myself, instead, I'd plead to my judge.

If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.

Even if I had reached out and he responded, I'd still struggle to believe that he truly listened to me.

For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.

He shatters me with a storm, and unjustly multiplies my pain.

He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.

He won't let me catch my breath, instead, he fills me with sorrow.

If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?

When I talk about power, indeed, He is mighty. And when it comes to justice, who could set a day for me to plead my case against Him?

If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.

If I claim to be in the right, my own mouth will condemn me. If I declare myself blameless, it will only prove me guilty.

Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.

Even if I were blameless, I still wouldn't fully understand myself; I'd feel contempt for my own existence.

This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.

In my heart, I've come to understand this: God doesn't discriminate, He brings down both the righteous and the wicked.

If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.

If disaster strikes without warning, he will find humor in the suffering of the innocent.

The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?

The world has fallen into the grasp of the unjust, who blind the eyes of its judges. If this isn't so, then who and where is the one responsible?

Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.

My days pass faster than a message delivered: they vanish, without witnessing any joy.

They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.

They've vanished quickly, like speedy ships disappearing over the horizon, or like an eagle swooping down on its prey.

If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:

If I decide to let go of my grievances, to shed my sorrow, and to find solace within myself.

I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.

I'm overwhelmed by my own sadness, aware that you won't see me as blameless.

If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?

If I am evil, why do I toil for nothing?

If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;

Even if I cleanse myself with the purest snow, and keep my hands spotless;

Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.

Yet you would plunge me into the filthy pit, and my own clothes would recoil from me.

For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.

Unlike me, He is divine, I can't question Him or demand a mutual judgment.

Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.

There's no mediator between us, someone who could touch us both, bringing us together.

Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:

Let Him take His rod away from me, and let the terror of Him no longer frighten me.

Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.

If I could, I'd express myself without fear; but sadly, I can't.