Job 9
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Job’s Reply to Bildad
9 Then Job answered:
2 Yes, I know what you’ve said is true,
but how can a person be justified before God?(A)
3 If one wanted to take(B) Him to court,
he could not answer God[a] once in a thousand times.(C)
4 God is wise(D) and all-powerful.
Who has opposed Him and come out unharmed?
5 He removes mountains without their knowledge,
overturning them in His anger.(E)
6 He shakes the earth from its place
so that its pillars tremble.
7 He commands the sun not to shine
and seals off the stars.(F)
8 He alone stretches out the heavens(G)
and treads on the waves of the sea.[b]
9 He makes the stars: the Bear,[c] Orion,
the Pleiades,(H) and the constellations[d] of the southern sky.
10 He does great and unsearchable things,
wonders without number.(I)
11 If He passes by me, I wouldn’t see Him;(J)
if He goes right by, I wouldn’t recognize Him.
12 If He snatches something, who can stop[e] Him?
Who can ask Him, “What are You doing?”(K)
13 God does not hold back His anger;
Rahab’s(L) assistants cringe in fear beneath Him!
14 How then can I answer Him
or choose my arguments against Him?
15 Even if I were in the right, I could not answer.
I could only beg my Judge for mercy.(M)
16 If I summoned Him and He answered me,
I do not believe He would pay attention to what I said.
17 He batters me with a whirlwind(N)
and multiplies my wounds without cause.
18 He doesn’t let me catch my breath
but soaks me with bitter experiences.
19 If it is a matter of strength, look, He is the Mighty One!(O)
If it is a matter of justice, who can summon(P) Him?[f]
20 Even if I were in the right, my own mouth would condemn me;(Q)
if I were blameless, my mouth would declare me guilty.
21 Though I am blameless,
I no longer care about myself;
I renounce my life.(R)
22 It is all the same. Therefore I say,
“He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.”(S)
23 When disaster brings sudden death,
He mocks the despair of the innocent.
24 The earth[g] is handed over to the wicked;
He blindfolds[h] its judges.(T)
If it isn’t He, then who is it?
25 My days fly by faster than a runner;[i](U)
they flee without seeing any good.(V)
26 They sweep by like boats made of papyrus,
like an eagle swooping down on its prey.(W)
27 If I said, “I will forget my complaint,
change my expression, and smile,”
28 I would still live in terror of all my pains.(X)
I know You will not acquit me.(Y)
29 Since I will be found guilty,(Z)
why should I labor in vain?
30 If I wash myself with snow,
and cleanse my hands with lye,
31 then You dip me in a pit of mud,
and my own clothes despise me!
32 For He is not a man like me, that I can answer Him,(AA)
that we can take each other to court.
33 There is no one to judge between us,
to lay his hand on both of us.
34 Let Him take His rod away from me
so His terror will no longer frighten me.(AB)
35 Then I would speak and not fear Him.
But that is not the case; I am on my own.
Job 13
Holman Christian Standard Bible
13 Look, my eyes have seen all this;
my ears(A) have heard and understood it.
2 Everything you know, I also know;
I am not inferior to you.(B)
3 Yet I prefer to speak to the Almighty
and argue my case before God.(C)
4 But you coat the truth with lies;
you are all worthless doctors.(D)
5 If only you would shut up
and let that be your wisdom!
6 Hear now my argument,
and listen to my defense.[a]
7 Would you testify unjustly on God’s behalf
or speak deceitfully for Him?
8 Would you show partiality(E) to Him
or argue the case in His defense?
9 Would it go well if He examined you?
Could you deceive Him as you would deceive a man?(F)
10 Surely He would rebuke you
if you secretly showed partiality.
11 Would God’s majesty not terrify you?(G)
Would His dread not fall on you?
12 Your memorable sayings are proverbs of ash;(H)
your defenses are made of clay.
13 Be quiet,[b] and I will speak.
Let whatever comes happen to me.
14 Why do I put myself at risk[c]
and take my life in my own hands?
15 Even if He kills me, I will hope in Him.[d]
I will still defend(I) my ways before Him.
16 Yes, this will result in my deliverance,
for no godless person(J) can appear before Him.
17 Pay close attention to my words;
let my declaration ring in your ears.
18 Now then, I have prepared my case;(K)
I know that I am right.
19 Can anyone indict me?
If so, I will be silent and die.
20 Only grant these two things to me, God,
so that I will not have to hide from Your presence:
21 remove Your hand from me,
and do not let Your terror frighten me.(L)
22 Then call, and I will answer,(M)
or I will speak, and You can respond to me.
23 How many iniquities(N) and sins have I committed?[e]
Reveal to me my transgression and sin.
24 Why do You hide Your face
and consider me Your enemy?(O)
25 Will You frighten a wind-driven leaf?
Will You chase after dry straw?
26 For You record bitter accusations against me
and make me inherit the iniquities of my youth.
27 You put my feet in the stocks
and stand watch over all my paths,
setting a limit for the soles[f] of my feet.
28 Man wears out like something rotten,
like a moth-eaten garment.(P)
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