Job 9:1-35 NET

[1] Then Job answered: [2] "Truly, I know that this is so. But how can a human be just before God? [3] If someone wishes to contend with him, he cannot answer him one time in a thousand. [4] He is wise in heart and mighty in strength-who has resisted him and remained safe? [5] He who removes mountains suddenly, who overturns them in his anger, [6] he who shakes the earth out of its place so that its pillars tremble, [7] he who commands the sun, and it does not shine and seals up the stars, [8] he alone spreads out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea. [9] He makes the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades, and the constellations of the southern sky; [10] he does great and unsearchable things, and wonderful things without number. [11] If he passes by me, I cannot see him, if he goes by, I cannot perceive him. [12] If he snatches away, who can turn him back? Who dares to say to him, 'What are you doing?' [13] God does not restrain his anger; under him the helpers of Rahab lie crushed. [14] "How much less, then, can I answer him and choose my words to argue with him. [15] Although I am innocent, I could not answer him; I could only plead with my judge for mercy. [16] If I summoned him, and he answered me, I would not believe that he would be listening to my voice- [17] he who crushes me with a tempest, and multiplies my wounds for no reason. [18] He does not allow me to recover my breath, for he fills me with bitterness. [19] If it is a matter of strength, most certainly he is the strong one! And if it is a matter of justice, he will say, 'Who will summon me?' [20] Although I am innocent, my mouth would condemn me, although I am blameless, it would declare me perverse. [21] I am blameless. I do not know myself. I despise my life. [22] "It is all one! That is why I say, 'He destroys the blameless and the guilty.' [23] If a scourge brings sudden death, he mocks at the despair of the innocent. [24] If a land has been given into the hand of a wicked man, he covers the faces of its judges; if it is not he, then who is it? [25] "My days are swifter than a runner, they speed by without seeing happiness. [26] They glide by like reed boats, like an eagle that swoops down on its prey. [27] If I say, 'I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression and be cheerful,' [28] I dread all my sufferings, for I know that you do not hold me blameless. [29] If I am guilty, why then weary myself in vain? [30] If I wash myself with snow-melt water, and make my hands clean with lye, [31] then you plunge me into a slimy pit and my own clothes abhor me. [32] For he is not a human being like I am, that I might answer him, that we might come together in judgment. [33] Nor is there an arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both, [34] who would take his rod away from me so that his terror would not make me afraid. [35] Then would I speak and not fear him, but it is not so with me.