Job 9:1-35 NLT

[1] Then Job spoke again: [2] "Yes, I know all this is true in principle. But how can a person be declared innocent in God's sight? [3] If someone wanted to take God to court, would it be possible to answer him even once in a thousand times? [4] For God is so wise and so mighty. Who has ever challenged him successfully? [5] "Without warning, he moves the mountains, overturning them in his anger. [6] He shakes the earth from its place, and its foundations tremble. [7] If he commands it, the sun won't rise and the stars won't shine. [8] He alone has spread out the heavens and marches on the waves of the sea. [9] He made all the stars-the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the southern sky. [10] He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles. [11] "Yet when he comes near, I cannot see him. When he moves by, I do not see him go. [12] If he snatches someone in death, who can stop him? Who dares to ask, 'What are you doing?' [13] And God does not restrain his anger. Even the monsters of the sea are crushed beneath his feet. [14] "So who am I, that I should try to answer God or even reason with him? [15] Even if I were right, I would have no defense. I could only plead for mercy. [16] And even if I summoned him and he responded, I'm not sure he would listen to me. [17] For he attacks me with a storm and repeatedly wounds me without cause. [18] He will not let me catch my breath, but fills me instead with bitter sorrows. [19] If it's a question of strength, he's the strong one. If it's a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court? [20] Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty. Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked. [21] "I am innocent, but it makes no difference to me- I despise my life. [22] Innocent or wicked, it is all the same to God. That's why I say, 'He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.' [23] When a plague sweeps through, he laughs at the death of the innocent. [24] The whole earth is in the hands of the wicked, and God blinds the eyes of the judges. If he's not the one who does it, who is? [25] "My life passes more swiftly than a runner. It flees away without a glimpse of happiness. [26] It disappears like a swift papyrus boat, like an eagle swooping down on its prey. [27] If I decided to forget my complaints, to put away my sad face and be cheerful, [28] I would still dread all the pain, for I know you will not find me innocent, O God. [29] Whatever happens, I will be found guilty. So what's the use of trying? [30] Even if I were to wash myself with soap and clean my hands with lye, [31] you would plunge me into a muddy ditch, and my own filthy clothing would hate me. [32] "God is not a mortal like me, so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial. [33] If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together. [34] The mediator could make God stop beating me, and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment. [35] Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength.