9:1 Then Job answered and said:

9:2 Of a truth I know that it is so; and how can man be just with God?

9:3 If one should desire to contend with Him, he could not answer Him one of a thousand.

9:4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength; who hath hardened himself against Him, and prospered?

9:5 Who removeth the mountains, and they know it not, when He overturneth them in His anger.

9:6 Who shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.

9:7 Who commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.

9:8 Who alone stretcheth out the heavens, and ruleth the waves of the sea.

9:9 Who maketh the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.

9:10 Who doeth great things past finding out; yea, marvellous things without number.

9:11 Lo, He goeth by me, and I see Him not. He passeth on also, but I perceive Him not.

9:12 Behold, He snatcheth away, who can hinder Him? Who will say unto Him: 'What doest Thou?'

9:13 God will not withdraw His anger; the proud helpers did stoop under Him.

9:14 How much less shall I answer Him, and choose out my arguments with Him?

9:15 Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer; I would make supplication to Him that contendeth with me.

9:16 If I had called, and He had answered me; yet would I not believe that He would hearken unto my voice —

9:17 He that would try me with a tempest, and multiply my wounds in a wisdom I know not;

9:18 That would not suffer me to take my breath, but fill me with bitterness.

9:19 If it be a matter of strength, lo, He is mighty! and if of justice, who will appoint me a time?

9:20 Though I be righteous, mine own mouth shall condemn me; though I be innocent, He shall prove me perverse.

9:21 I am innocent — I regard not myself, I despise my life.

9:22 It is all one to me — therefore I say: His wisdom is beyond my understanding.

9:23 If the scourge slay suddenly, who can understand the calamity of the guiltless, save He?

9:24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked for a season; he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; yet God knoweth who it is.

9:25 Now my days are swifter than a runner; they flee away, they see no good.

9:26 They are passed away as the swift ships; as the vulture that swoopeth on the prey.

9:27 If I say: 'I will forget my complaint, I will put off my sad countenance, and be of good cheer',

9:28 I am afraid of all my pains, I know that Thou wilt not hold me guiltless.

9:29 I shall be condemned; why then do I labour in vain?

9:30 If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;

9:31 Yet wilt Thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.

9:32 For He is not a man, as I am, that I should answer Him, that we should come together in judgment.

9:33 There is no arbiter betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.

9:34 Let Him take His rod away from me, and let not His terror make me afraid;

9:35 Then would I speak, and not fear Him; for I am not so with myself.