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I know well that it is so;
    but how can anyone be in the right before God?
Should one wish to contend with him,[a]
    he could not answer him once in a thousand times.
God is wise in heart and mighty in strength;
    who has withstood him and remained whole?

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Footnotes

  1. 9:3 Job begins to explore the possibility of challenging God in a lawsuit, a theme that will recur (10:2), but he knows the odds are against him (vv. 12–20).

“Indeed I know that this is so;
    but how can a mortal be just before God?
If one wished to contend with him,
    one could not answer him once in a thousand.
He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength
—who has resisted him, and succeeded?—

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(A)1-2 Yes, I've heard all that before.
    But how can a human being win a case against God?
How can anyone argue with him?
    He can ask a thousand questions
    that no one could ever answer.[a]
God is so wise and powerful;
    no one can stand up against him.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 9:3 He can ask … answer; or Someone could ask him a thousand questions, and he would not answer.

“In truth I know that this is so;
But how can a (A)person be in the right with God?
If one wished to (B)dispute with Him,
He could not answer Him once in a thousand times.
(C)Wise in heart and (D)mighty in strength,
Who has [a](E)defied Him [b]without harm?

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Footnotes

  1. Job 9:4 Lit stiffened his neck against
  2. Job 9:4 Lit and remained safe

“Indeed, I know that this is true.
    But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?(A)
Though they wished to dispute with him,(B)
    they could not answer him one time out of a thousand.(C)
His wisdom(D) is profound, his power is vast.(E)
    Who has resisted(F) him and come out unscathed?(G)

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