14 How then can (A)I [a]answer Him,
And choose my words [b]before Him?
15 For (B)though I were right, I could not [c]answer;
I would have to (C)implore the mercy of my Judge.
16 If I called and He answered me,
I could not believe that He was listening to my voice.
17 For He (D)bruises me with a storm
And multiplies my wounds without cause.
18 He will (E)not allow me to get my breath,
But He saturates me with (F)bitterness.
19 If it is a matter of power, (G)behold, He is the strong one!
And if it is a matter of justice, who can summon [d]Him?
20 (H)Though I am righteous, my mouth will (I)condemn me;
Though I am guiltless, He will declare me guilty.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 9:14 Or plead my case
  2. Job 9:14 Lit with
  3. Job 9:15 Or plead my case
  4. Job 9:19 As in LXX; Heb me

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[a] to court?
20 Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty.
    Though I am blameless, it[b] would prove me wicked.

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Footnotes

  1. 9:19 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads me.
  2. 9:20 Or he.