| New International Version | New International Version |
| 1Then Job replied: | 1Then Job replied: |
| 2"Indeed, I know that this is true. But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God? | 2"Indeed, I know that this is true. But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God? |
| 3Though they wished to dispute with him, they could not answer him one time out of a thousand. | 3Though they wished to dispute with him, they could not answer him one time out of a thousand. |
| 4His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed? | 4His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed? |
| 5He moves mountains without their knowing it and overturns them in his anger. | 5He moves mountains without their knowing it and overturns them in his anger. |
| 6He shakes the earth from its place and makes its pillars tremble. | 6He shakes the earth from its place and makes its pillars tremble. |
| 7He speaks to the sun and it does not shine; he seals off the light of the stars. | 7He speaks to the sun and it does not shine; he seals off the light of 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 is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south. |
| 10He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. | 10He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. |
| 11When he passes me, I cannot see him; when he goes by, I cannot perceive him. | 11When he passes me, I cannot see him; when he goes by, I cannot perceive him. |
| 12If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, 'What are you doing?' | 12If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, 'What are you doing?' |
| 13God does not restrain his anger; even the cohorts of Rahab cowered at his feet. | 13God does not restrain his anger; even the cohorts of Rahab cowered at his feet. |
| 14"How then can I dispute with him? How can I find words to argue with him? | 14"How then can I dispute with him? How can I find words to argue with him? |
| 15Though I were innocent, I could not answer him; I could only plead with my Judge for mercy. | 15Though I were innocent, I could not answer him; I could only plead with my Judge for mercy. |
| 16Even if I summoned him and he responded, I do not believe he would give me a hearing. | 16Even if I summoned him and he responded, I do not believe he would give me a hearing. |
| 17He would crush me with a storm and multiply my wounds for no reason. | 17He would crush me with a storm and multiply my wounds for no reason. |
| 18He would not let me catch my breath but would overwhelm me with misery. | 18He would not let me catch my breath but would overwhelm me with misery. |
| 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, he is mighty! And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him? |
| 20Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty. | 20Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty. |
| 21"Although I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own life. | 21"Although I am blameless, I have no concern for myself; I despise my own life. |
| 22It is all the same; that is why I say, 'He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.' | 22It is all the same; that is why I say, 'He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.' |
| 23When a scourge brings sudden death, he mocks the despair of the innocent. | 23When a scourge 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? | 24When a land falls into the hands of the wicked, he blindfolds its judges. If it is not he, then who is it? |
| 25"My days are swifter than a runner; they fly away without a glimpse of joy. | 25"My days are swifter than a runner; they fly away without a glimpse of joy. |
| 26They skim past like boats of papyrus, like eagles swooping down on their prey. | 26They skim past like boats of papyrus, like eagles swooping down on their prey. |
| 27If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile,' | 27If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile,' |
| 28I still dread all my sufferings, for I know you will not hold me innocent. | 28I still dread all my sufferings, for I know you will not hold me innocent. |
| 29Since I am already found guilty, why should I struggle in vain? | 29Since I am already found guilty, why should I struggle in vain? |
| 30Even if I washed myself with soap and my hands with cleansing powder, | 30Even if I washed myself with soap and my hands with cleansing powder, |
| 31you would plunge me into a slime pit so that even my clothes would detest me. | 31you would plunge me into a slime pit so that even my clothes would detest me. |
| 32"He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court. | 32"He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court. |
| 33If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together, | 33If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together, |
| 34someone to remove God's rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more. | 34someone to remove God's rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more. |
| 35Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot. | 35Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot. |
| New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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