25 My days fly by faster than a runner;[a](A)
they flee without seeing any good.(B)
26 They sweep by like boats made of papyrus,
like an eagle swooping down on its prey.(C)
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.(D)
I know you will not acquit me.(E)
29 Since I will be found guilty,(F)
why should I struggle 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!

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Footnotes

  1. 9:25 = a royal messenger

25 “And my days are swifter than a runner;
they flee away; they do not see good.
26 They go by like papyrus skiffs,
like an eagle swoops down on its prey.
27 Though[a] I say,[b] ‘I will forget my complaint;
I will change my expression, and I will rejoice,’
28 I become afraid of all my sufferings;
I know that you do not consider me innocent.
29 If I shall be declared guilty,
why then should I labor in vain?
30 If I wash myself with soap,[c]
and I cleanse my hands with lye,
31 then you plunge me into the slime pit,
and my clothes abhor me.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 9:27 Or “If”
  2. Job 9:27 Literally “my saying”
  3. Job 9:30 Or “with snow,” or “in snow”