Job 9:1-35 TLB

[1] Job's reply: [2] "Yes, I know all that. You're not telling me anything new. But how can a man be truly good in the eyes of God? [3] If God decides to argue with him, can a man answer even one question of a thousand he asks? [4] For God is so wise and so mighty. Who has ever opposed him successfully? [5] "Suddenly he moves the mountains, overturning them in his anger. [6] He shakes the earth to its foundations. [7] The sun won't rise, the stars won't shine, if he commands it so! [8] Only he has stretched the heavens out and stalked along the seas. [9] He made the Bear, Orion and the Pleiades, and the constellations of the southern Zodiac. [10] "He does incredible miracles, too many to count. [11] He passes by, invisible; he moves along, but I don't see him go. [12] When he sends death to snatch a man away, who can stop him? Who dares to ask him, 'What are you doing?' [13] "And God does not abate his anger. The pride of man collapses before him. [14] And who am I that I should try to argue with Almighty God, or even reason with him? [15] Even if I were sinless, I wouldn't say a word. I would only plead for mercy. [16] And even if my prayers were answered, I could scarce believe that he had heard my cry. [17] For he is the one who destroys, and multiplies my wounds without a cause. [18] He will not let me breathe, but fills me with bitter sorrows. [19] He alone is strong and just. [20] "But I? Am I righteous? My own mouth says no. Even if I were perfect, God would prove me wicked. [21] And even if I am utterly innocent, I dare not think of it. I despise what I am. [22] Innocent or evil, it is all the same to him, for he destroys both kinds. [23] He will laugh when calamity crushes the innocent. [24] The whole earth is in the hands of the wicked. God blinds the eyes of the judges and lets them be unfair. If not he, then who? [25] "My life passes swiftly away, filled with tragedy. [26] My years disappear like swift ships, like the eagle that swoops upon its prey. [27] "If I decided to forget my complaints against God, to end my sadness and be cheerful, [28] then he would pour even greater sorrows upon me. For I know that you will not hold me innocent, O God, [29] but will condemn me. So what's the use of trying? [30] Even if I were to wash myself with purest water and cleanse my hands with lye to make them utterly clean, [31] even so you would plunge me into the ditch and mud; and even my clothing would be less filthy than you consider me to be! [32] "And I cannot defend myself, for you are no mere man as I am. If you were, then we could discuss it fairly, but there is no umpire between us, no middle man, no mediator to bring us together. [34] Oh, let him stop beating me, so that I need no longer live in terror of his punishment. [35] Then I could speak without fear to him and tell him boldly that I am not guilty.