(KJV) Job 9¹

⥃Job: How Can I Contend with God?

[1] Then Job answered and said, [2] I know [it is] so of a truth: but how² should man be just with³ God? [3] If he will contend⁴ with him, he cannot⁵ answer him one of a thousand. [4] [He is] wise in heart⁶, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened⁷ [himself] against him, and hath prospered? [5] Which removeth⁸ the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth⁹ them in his anger. [6] Which shaketh¹⁰ the earth out of her place, and the pillars¹¹ thereof tremble. [7] Which commandeth¹² the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth¹³ up the stars. [8] Which¹⁴ alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth¹⁵ upon the waves¹⁶ of the sea. [9] Which maketh¹⁷ Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades¹⁸, and the chambers of the south. [10] Which doeth great things¹⁹ past finding out; yea, and wonders²⁰ without number. [11] Lo, he goeth²¹ by me, and I see [him] not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. [12] Behold, he taketh²² away, who can hinder him²³? who will say unto him, What²⁴ doest thou? [13] [If] God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers²⁵ do stoop under him. [14] How much²⁶ less shall I²⁷ answer him, [and] choose²⁸ out my words [to reason] with him? [15] Whom, though²⁹ I were righteous, [yet] would I not answer, [but] I would³⁰ make supplication to my judge³¹. [16] If I had³² called, and he had answered me; [yet] would I³³ not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice. [17] For he³⁴ breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth³⁵ my wounds without cause³⁶. [18] He will not³⁷ suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me³⁸ with bitterness. [19] If [I speak] of strength, lo, [he is] strong³⁹: and if of judgment, who shall⁴⁰ set me a time [to plead]? [20] If I justify⁴¹ myself, mine⁴² own mouth shall condemn me: [if I say], I [am] perfect⁴³, it shall⁴⁴ also prove me perverse. [21] [Though] I [were] perfect, [yet] would⁴⁵ I not know my soul: I would⁴⁶ despise my life. [22] This [is] one [thing], therefore I said [it], He destroyeth⁴⁷ the perfect and the wicked. [23] If the⁴⁸ scourge slay suddenly, he will⁴⁹ laugh at the trial of the innocent. [24] The earth⁵⁰ is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth⁵¹ the faces of the judges thereof; if not⁵², where, [and] who [is] he? [25] Now my days are swifter⁵³ than a post⁵⁴: they flee away⁵⁵, they see no good. [26] They are passed away as the swift ships⁵⁶: as the eagle⁵⁷ [that] hasteth to the prey. [27] If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort [myself]:⁵⁸ [28] I am afraid⁵⁹ of all my sorrows, I know⁶⁰ that thou wilt not hold me innocent. [29] [If] I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?⁶¹ [30] If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;⁶² [31] Yet shalt⁶³ thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine⁶⁴ own clothes shall abhor me⁶⁵. [32] For [he is] not a man⁶⁶, as I [am], [that] I should answer him, [and] we should⁶⁷ come together in judgment. [33] Neither is there⁶⁸ any daysman⁶⁹ betwixt us, [that] might⁷⁰ lay his hand upon us both. [34] Let him take his rod away from me, and let not⁷¹ his fear terrify me: [35] [Then] would I speak, and not fear him; but [it is] not so with me.