Job 9 (Holman Christian Standard)

Job's Reply to Bildad

1 Then Job answered: 2 Yes, I know what you've said is true, but how can a person be justified before God?^a 3 If one wanted to take Him to court, he could not answer God^b once in a thousand [times].^c 4 God is wise and all-powerful. Who has opposed Him and come out unharmed? 5 He removes mountains without their knowledge, overturning them in His anger.^d 6 He shakes the earth from its place so that its pillars tremble. 7 He commands the sun not to shine and seals off the stars.^e 8 He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.^fg 9 He makes [the stars]: the Bear,^h Orion, the Pleiades,ⁱ and the constellations^j of the southern sky. 10 He performs great and unsearchable things, wonders without number.^k 11 If He passes by me, I wouldn't see Him; [if] He goes right by, I wouldn't recognize Him.^l 12 If He snatches [something], who can stop^m Him? Who can ask Him, "What are You doing?"ⁿ 13 God does not hold back His anger; Rahab's assistants cringe in fear beneath Him!^o 14 How then can I answer Him or choose my arguments against Him? 15 Even if I were in the right, I could not answer. I could only beg my judge for mercy.^p 16 If I summoned [Him] and He answered me, I do not believe He would pay attention to what I said.^q 17 He batters me with a whirlwind^r and multiplies my wounds without cause. 18 He doesn't let me catch my breath but soaks me with bitter experiences. 19 If it is a matter of strength, look, He is the Mighty One!^s If it is a matter of justice, who can summon^t Him?^u 20 Even if I were in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, my mouth would declare me guilty. 21 Though I am blameless, I no longer care about myself; I renounce my life.^v 22 It is all the same. Therefore I say, "He destroys both the blameless and the wicked."^w 23 When disaster brings sudden death, He mocks the despair of the innocent.^x 24 The earth^y is handed over to the wicked; He blindfolds^z its judges.^aa If it isn't He, then who is it? 25 My days fly by faster than a runner;^bb they flee without seeing any good. 26 They sweep by like boats made of papyrus, like an eagle swooping down on [its] prey.^cc 27 If I said, "I will forget my complaint, change my expression, and smile," 28 I would still live in terror of all my pains. I know You will not acquit me.^dd 29 Since I will be found guilty, why should I labor in vain?^ee 30 If I wash myself with snow, and cleanse my hands with lye, 31 then You dip me in a pit [of mud], and my own clothes despise me! 32 For He is not a man like me, that I can answer Him,^ff that we can take each other to court. 33 There is no one to judge between us, to lay his hand on both of us.^gg 34 Let Him take His rod away from me so His terror will no longer frighten me.^hh 35 Then I would speak and not fear Him. But that is not the case; I am on my own.