Job 9:1-35 GW

[1] Then Job replied to his friends, [2] "Yes, I know that this is true. But how can a mortal be declared righteous to God? [3] If he wished to debate with God, he wouldn't be able to answer one question in a thousand. [4] "God is wise in heart and mighty in power. Who could oppose him and win? [5] He moves mountains without their knowing it, and he topples them in his anger. [6] He shakes the earth from its place, and its pillars tremble. [7] He commands the sun not to rise. He doesn't let the stars come out. [8] He stretches out the heavens by himself and walks on the waves of the sea. [9] He made the constellations Ursa Major, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the clusters of stars in the south. [10] He does great things that are unsearchable and miracles that cannot be numbered. [11] He passes alongside of me, and I don't even see him. He goes past me, and I don't even notice him. [12] He takes something away, but who can stop him? Who is going to ask him, 'What are you doing?' [13] God does not hold back his anger. Even Rahab's helpers bow humbly in front of him. [14] "How can I possibly answer God? How can I find the right words to speak with him? [15] Even if I were right, I could not answer him. I would have to plead for mercy from my judge. [16] If I cried out and he answered me, I do not believe that he would listen to me. [17] He would knock me down with a storm and bruise me without a reason. [18] He would not let me catch my breath. He fills me with bitterness. [19] If it is a matter of strength, then he is the mighty one. If it is about justice, who will charge me with a crime? [20] If I am righteous, my own mouth would condemn me. It would declare that I am corrupt even if I am a man of integrity. [21] If I am a man of integrity, I have no way of knowing it. I hate my life! [22] It is all the same. That is why I say, 'He destroys both the man of integrity and the wicked.' [23] When a sudden disaster brings death, he makes fun of the despair of innocent people. [24] The earth is handed over to the wicked. He covers the faces of its judges. If he isn't the one doing this, who is? [25] "My days go by more quickly than a runner. They sprint away. They don't see anything good. [26] They pass by quickly like boats made from reeds, like an eagle swooping down on its prey. [27] Even if I say, 'I will forget my complaining; I will change my expression and smile,' [28] I still dread everything I must suffer. I know that you won't declare me innocent. [29] I've already been found guilty. Why should I work so hard for nothing? [30] If I wash myself with lye soap and cleanse my hands with bleach, [31] then you would plunge me into a muddy pit, and my own clothes would find me disgusting. [32] A human like me cannot answer God, 'Let's take our case to court.' [33] There is no mediator between us to put his hand on both of us. [34] God should take his rod away from me, and he should not terrify me. [35] Then I would speak and not be afraid of him. But I know that I am not like that.