Job 9:1-35 CEB

[1] Job responded: [2] I know for certain that this is so; and how can anyone be innocent before God? [3] If one wants to contend with him, he won’t answer one in a thousand. [4] He is wise and powerful; who can resist him and prosper? [5] Who removes mountains, and they are unaware; who overthrows them in anger? [6] Who shakes the earth from its place, and its pillars shudder? [7] Who commands the sun, and it does not rise, even seals up the stars; [8] stretched out the heavens alone and trod on the waves of the Sea; [9] made the Bear and Orion, Pleiades and the southern constellations; [10] does great and unsearchable things, wonders beyond number? [11] If God goes by me, I can’t see him; he glides past, and I can’t perceive him. [12] If he seizes, who can bring back? Who can say to him, “What are you doing?” [13] God won’t retract his anger; the helpers of Rahab bow beneath him. [14] Yet I myself will answer him; I’ll choose my words in a contest with him. [15] Even if I’m innocent, I can’t answer; I must plead for justice. [16] If I were to call and he answered me, I couldn’t believe that he heard my voice. [17] Who bruises me with a tempest and multiplies my wounds for no reason? [18] He doesn’t let me catch my breath, for he fills me with bitterness. [19] If the issue is strength—behold power! If justice—who calls God to meet me? [20] If I’m innocent, my mouth condemns me; I have integrity; but God declares me perverse. [21] I’m blameless, yet don’t know myself; I reject my life. [22] It’s all the same; therefore, I say God destroys the blameless and the sinners. [23] If calamity suddenly kills, he mocks at the slaying of innocents. [24] The earth is handed over to the wicked; he covers the faces of its judges. If not God, then who does? [25] My days are swifter than a runner; they flee and don’t experience good. [26] They sweep by like ships made of reeds, as an eagle swoops on prey. [27] If I say, “I’ll forget my lament, put on a different face so I can smile,” [28] I’m still afraid of all my suffering; I know that you won’t declare me innocent. [29] I myself am thought guilty; why have I tried so hard in vain? [30] If I wash myself with snow, purify my hands with soap, [31] then you’ll hurl me into a slimy pit so that my clothes detest me. [32] God is not a man like me—someone I could answer—so that we could come together in court. [33] Oh, that there were a mediator between us; he would lay his hand on both of us, [34] remove his rod from me, so his fury wouldn’t frighten me. [35] Then I would speak—unafraid—for I’m not that way.