1 This was Job’s response: ISV — Job 9:1
2 “Indeed, I’m fully aware that this is so, but how can a person become right with God? ISV — Job 9:2
3 If one were to seek to argue with him, he won’t be able to answer him even once in a thousand times. ISV — Job 9:3
4 He is wise in heart and strong in will— who can be stubborn against him and succeed? ISV — Job 9:4
5 “He removes mountains without their knowledge, overthrowing them in his anger. ISV — Job 9:5
6 He shakes the earth from its orbit, a9:6 Lit. place so that its foundations shudder. ISV — Job 9:6
7 He commands the sun so that it doesn’t shine b9:7 Lit. rise and seals up the stars. ISV — Job 9:7
8 He alone spreads out the heavens, he walks on the waves c9:8 Lit. high places of the sea. ISV — Job 9:8
9 He created Bear, Orion, the Pleiades, and the southern constellations. ISV — Job 9:9
10 He does great things that cannot be explained, and awesome deeds that cannot be counted. ISV — Job 9:10
11 “If he were to pass near me, I wouldn’t notice; if he moves by, I wouldn’t perceive him. ISV — Job 9:11
12 Indeed, if he snatches someone d9:12 The Heb. lacks someone away, who could restrain him? Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’ ISV — Job 9:12
13 “God doesn’t restrain his anger. Rahab’s assistants are humiliated under him. ISV — Job 9:13
14 So how am I to answer him, choosing what I am to say to him? ISV — Job 9:14
15 Even if I’m in the right, I cannot answer him. I can only appeal for mercy. ISV — Job 9:15
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. e9:16 Lit. to my voice ISV — Job 9:16
17 For he crushes me with a storm, and keeps on wounding me for no reason. ISV — Job 9:17
18 He won’t let me catch my breath; instead, he fills me with bitterness. ISV — Job 9:18
19 “Is this a contest of strength? He is obviously stronger! Is this a matter of justice? Who can sue him? ISV — Job 9:19
20 Though I’m in the right, my own mouth will condemn me; though I’m blameless, he’ll pronounce me as guilty. ISV — Job 9:20
21 “I’m blameless; I don’t know myself; I despise my life. ISV — Job 9:21
22 I say it’s all the same— he destroys both the blameless and the guilty. f9:22 Or wicked ISV — Job 9:22
23 If a calamity g9:23 Or scourge causes sudden death, he’ll mock at the despair of the innocent. ISV — Job 9:23
24 A land is given into the hands of a wicked person; h9:24 Lit. man he covers the faces of its judges. If it is not God, i9:24 Lit. he then who is it?” ISV — Job 9:24
25 “My days pass faster than a runner; but they pass quickly without seeing anything good. ISV — Job 9:25
26 They pass by like a ship made of reeds, like an eagle swooping down on its prey. ISV — Job 9:26
27 If I were to say, ‘Let me forget my complaint,’ change j9:27 Lit. forsake the expression on k9:27 The Heb. lacks the expression on my face, and look cheerful, ISV — Job 9:27
28 then I still dread all of my suffering; I know you still won’t acquit me. ISV — Job 9:28
29 I will be condemned, so why should I wear myself out with this futility? ISV — Job 9:29
30 “If I wash myself with water from snow, and cleanse my hands with lye, ISV — Job 9:30
31 you’ll still drop me into the Pit, l9:31 i.e. the place of punishment in the afterlife and my own clothes will despise me. ISV — Job 9:31
32 He’s not a man like me, so that I can answer him, or that we can enter into litigation m9:32 Lit. controversy with one another. ISV — Job 9:32
33 There is not yet a mediator between us, who would set his hand on the two of us, ISV — Job 9:33
34 removing his rod from me, and not letting terror of him overwhelm me. ISV — Job 9:34
35 Otherwise, I would speak without being terrified of him, because I’m not like that inside myself.” ISV — Job 9:35