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14 How much less[a] can I myself[b] answer him?
How can I choose my words with him,
15 whom I cannot answer, even though I am righteous?
From[c] my judge I must implore grace.
16 If I summon him, and he should answer me,
I do not believe that he will listen to my voice—
17 who crushes me with a tempest
and multiplies[d] my wounds without cause.
18 He will not allow me to catch[e] my breath;
rather, he will fill me with bitterness.
19 If it is a matter of[f] strength, look, he is mighty.
But[g] if it is a matter of[h] justice, who can summon me?[i]
20 Even though I am righteous, my mouth will condemn me;
even though I am blameless, yet[j] it would pronounce me guilty.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 9:14 Literally “Also for”
  2. Job 9:14 Emphatic personal pronoun
  3. Job 9:15 Hebrew “To”
  4. Job 9:17 Hebrew “he multiplies”
  5. Job 9:18 Literally “return,” or “regain”
  6. Job 9:19 Literally “for”; see NASB, NIV, NET
  7. Job 9:19 Hebrew “And”
  8. Job 9:19 Literally “for”; NASB, NIV, NET, NRSV
  9. Job 9:19 Or “arraign me”
  10. Job 9:20 Hebrew “and”

14 How much less shall I answer him,
And choose out my words to reason with him?
15 Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer;
I would make supplication to my judge.
16 If I had called, and he had answered me,
Yet would I not believe that he hearkened unto my voice.
17 [a]For he breaketh me with a tempest,
And multiplieth my wounds without cause.
18 He will not suffer me to take my breath,
But filleth me with bitterness.
19 If we speak of strength, [b]lo, he is mighty!
And if of justice, Who, saith he, will summon me?
20 Though I be righteous, mine own mouth shall condemn me:
Though I be perfect, [c]it shall prove me perverse.

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Footnotes

  1. Job 9:17 Hebrew He who.
  2. Job 9:19 Or, Lo, here am I, saith he; And if of judgement, Who etc.
  3. Job 9:20 Or, he