Job 9
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New International VersionChristian Standard Bible
1Then Job replied:1Then Job answered:
2"Indeed, I know that this is true. But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?2Yes, I know what you've said is true, but how can a person be justified before God?
3Though they wished to dispute with him, they could not answer him one time out of a thousand.3If one wanted to take him to court, he could not answer God once in a thousand times.
4His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?4God is wise and all-powerful. Who has opposed him and come out unharmed?
5He moves mountains without their knowing it and overturns them in his anger.5He removes mountains without their knowledge, overturning them in his anger.
6He shakes the earth from its place and makes its pillars tremble.6He shakes the earth from its place so that its pillars tremble.
7He speaks to the sun and it does not shine; he seals off the light of the stars.7He commands the sun not to shine and seals off the stars.
8He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.8He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.
9He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.9He makes the stars: the Bear, Orion, the Pleiades, and the constellations of the southern sky.
10He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.10He does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number.
11When he passes me, I cannot see him; when he goes by, I cannot perceive him.11If he passed by me, I wouldn't see him; if he went by, I wouldn't recognize him.
12If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, 'What are you doing?'12If he snatches something, who can stop him? Who can ask him, "What are you doing?"
13God does not restrain his anger; even the cohorts of Rahab cowered at his feet.13God does not hold back his anger; Rahab's assistants cringe in fear beneath him!
14"How then can I dispute with him? How can I find words to argue with him?14How then can I answer him or choose my arguments against him?
15Though I were innocent, I could not answer him; I could only plead with my Judge for mercy.15Even if I were in the right, I could not answer. I could only beg my Judge for mercy.
16Even if I summoned him and he responded, I do not believe he would give me a hearing.16If I summoned him and he answered me, I do not believe he would pay attention to what I said.
17He would crush me with a storm and multiply my wounds for no reason.17He batters me with a whirlwind and multiplies my wounds without cause.
18He would not let me catch my breath but would overwhelm me with misery.18He doesn't let me catch my breath but fills me with bitter experiences.
19If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty! And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him?19If it is a matter of strength, look, he is the powerful one! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him?
20Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty.20Even if I were in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, my mouth would declare me guilty.
21"Although I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own life.21Though I am blameless, I no longer care about myself; I renounce my life.
22It is all the same; that is why I say, 'He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.'22It is all the same. Therefore I say, "He destroys both the blameless and the wicked."
23When a scourge brings sudden death, he mocks the despair of the innocent.23When catastrophe brings sudden death, he mocks the despair of the innocent.
24When a land falls into the hands of the wicked, he blindfolds its judges. If it is not he, then who is it?24The earth is handed over to the wicked; he blindfolds its judges. If it isn't he, then who is it?
25"My days are swifter than a runner; they fly away without a glimpse of joy.25My days fly by faster than a runner; they flee without seeing any good.
26They skim past like boats of papyrus, like eagles swooping down on their prey.26They sweep by like boats made of papyrus, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.
27If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile,'27If I said, "I will forget my complaint, change my expression, and smile,"
28I still dread all my sufferings, for I know you will not hold me innocent.28I would still live in terror of all my pains. I know you will not acquit me.
29Since I am already found guilty, why should I struggle in vain?29Since I will be found guilty, why should I struggle in vain?
30Even if I washed myself with soap and my hands with cleansing powder,30If I wash myself with snow, and cleanse my hands with lye,
31you would plunge me into a slime pit so that even my clothes would detest me.31then you dip me in a pit of mud, and my own clothes despise me!
32"He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court.32For he is not a man like me, that I can answer him, that we can take each other to court.
33If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together,33There is no mediator between us, to lay his hand on both of us.
34someone to remove God's rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more.34Let him take his rod away from me so his terror will no longer frighten me.
35Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot.35Then I would speak and not fear him. But that is not the case; I am on my own.
New International Version (NIV)

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The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Job 8
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