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Job 9
Job
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Chapter 9
God’s justice is above all law
1
Job spoke next. He said:
2
Indeed, I know it is as you say: how can man be in the right against God?
3
If any were so rash as to challenge him for reasons, one in a thousand would be more than they could answer.
4
His heart is wise, and his strength is great: who then can successfully defy him?
5
He moves the mountains, though they do not know it; he throws them down when he is angry.
6
He shakes the earth, and moves it from its place, making all its pillars tremble.
7
The sun, at his command, forbears to rise, and on the stars he sets a seal.
8
He and no other stretched out the skies, and trampled the Sea’s tall waves.
9
The Bear, Orion too, are of his making, the Pleiades and the Mansions of the South.
10
His works are great, beyond all reckoning, his marvels, past all counting.
11
Were he to pass me, I should not see him, nor detect his stealthy movement.
12
Were he to snatch a prize, who could prevent him, or dare to say, ‘What are you doing?’
13
God never goes back on his anger, Rahab’s minions still lie at his feet.[*a]
14
How dare I plead my cause, then, or choose arguments against him?
15
Suppose I am in the right, what use is my defence? For he whom I must sue is judge as well.
16
If he deigned to answer my citation, could I be sure that he would listen to my voice?
17
He, who for one hair crushes me, who, for no reason, wounds and wounds again,
18
leaving me not a moment to draw breath, with so much bitterness he fills me.
19
Shall I try force? Look how strong he is! Or go to court? But who will summon him?
20
Though I think myself right, his mouth may condemn me; though I count myself innocent, it may declare me a hypocrite.
21
But am I innocent after all? Not even I know that, and, as for my life, I find it hateful.
22
It is all one, and this I dare to say: innocent and guilty, he destroys all alike.
23
When a sudden deadly scourge descends, he laughs at the plight of the innocent.
24
When a country falls into a tyrant’s hand, it is he who blindfolds the judges. Or if not he, who else?
25
My days run hurrying by, seeing no happiness in their flight,
26
skimming along like a reed canoe, or the flight of an eagle after its prey.
27
If I resolve to stifle my moans, change countenance, and wear a smiling face,
28
fear comes over me, at the thought of all I suffer, for such, I know, is not your treatment of the innocent.
29
And if I am guilty, why should I put myself to useless trouble?
30
No use to wash myself with snow, or bleach my hands pure white;
31
for you will plunge me in dung until my very clothes recoil from me.
32
Yes, I am man, and he is not; and so no argument, no suit between the two of us is possible.
33
There is no arbiter between us, to lay his hand on both,
34
to stay his rod from me, or keep away his daunting terrors.
35
Nonetheless, I shall speak, not fearing him: I do not see myself like that at all.
Chapters of Job
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