Holman Christian Standard Bible | Christian Standard Bible |
1Then Job answered: | 1Then Job answered: |
2Yes, I know what you've said is true, but how can a person be justified before God? | 2Yes, I know what you've said is true, but how can a person be justified before God? |
3If one wanted to take Him to court, he could not answer God once in a thousand times. | 3If one wanted to take him to court, he could not answer God once in a thousand times. |
4God is wise and all-powerful. Who has opposed Him and come out unharmed? | 4God is wise and all-powerful. Who has opposed him and come out unharmed? |
5He removes mountains without their knowledge, overturning them in His anger. | 5He removes mountains without their knowledge, overturning them in his anger. |
6He shakes the earth from its place so that its pillars tremble. | 6He shakes the earth from its place so that its pillars tremble. |
7He commands the sun not to shine and seals off the stars. | 7He commands the sun not to shine and seals off the stars. |
8He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. | 8He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. |
9He makes the stars: the Bear, Orion, the Pleiades, and the constellations of the southern sky. | 9He makes the stars: the Bear, Orion, the Pleiades, and the constellations of the southern sky. |
10He does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number. | 10He does great and unsearchable things, wonders without number. |
11If He passes by me, I wouldn't see Him; if He goes right by, I wouldn't recognize Him. | 11If he passed by me, I wouldn't see him; if he went by, I wouldn't recognize him. |
12If He snatches something, who can stop Him? Who can ask Him, "What are You doing?" | 12If he snatches something, who can stop him? Who can ask him, "What are you doing?" |
13God does not hold back His anger; Rahab's assistants cringe in fear beneath Him! | 13God does not hold back his anger; Rahab's assistants cringe in fear beneath him! |
14How then can I answer Him or choose my arguments against Him? | 14How then can I answer him or choose my arguments against him? |
15Even if I were in the right, I could not answer. I could only beg my Judge for mercy. | 15Even if I were in the right, I could not answer. I could only beg my Judge for mercy. |
16If I summoned Him and He answered me, I do not believe He would pay attention to what I said. | 16If I summoned him and he answered me, I do not believe he would pay attention to what I said. |
17He batters me with a whirlwind and multiplies my wounds without cause. | 17He batters me with a whirlwind and multiplies my wounds without cause. |
18He doesn't let me catch my breath but soaks me with bitter experiences. | 18He doesn't let me catch my breath but fills me with bitter experiences. |
19If it is a matter of strength, look, He is the Mighty One! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him? | 19If it is a matter of strength, look, he is the powerful one! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him? |
20Even if I were in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, my mouth would declare me guilty. | 20Even if I were in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; if I were blameless, my mouth would declare me guilty. |
21Though I am blameless, I no longer care about myself; I renounce my life. | 21Though I am blameless, I no longer care about myself; I renounce my life. |
22It is all the same. Therefore I say, "He destroys both the blameless and the wicked." | 22It is all the same. Therefore I say, "He destroys both the blameless and the wicked." |
23When disaster brings sudden death, He mocks the despair of the innocent. | 23When catastrophe brings sudden death, he mocks the despair of the innocent. |
24The earth is handed over to the wicked; He blindfolds its judges. If it isn't He, then who is it? | 24The earth is handed over to the wicked; he blindfolds its judges. If it isn't he, then who is it? |
25My days fly by faster than a runner; they flee without seeing any good. | 25My days fly by faster than a runner; they flee without seeing any good. |
26They sweep by like boats made of papyrus, like an eagle swooping down on its prey. | 26They sweep by like boats made of papyrus, like an eagle swooping down on its prey. |
27If I said, "I will forget my complaint, change my expression, and smile," | 27If I said, "I will forget my complaint, change my expression, and smile," |
28I would still live in terror of all my pains. I know You will not acquit me. | 28I would still live in terror of all my pains. I know you will not acquit me. |
29Since I will be found guilty, why should I labor in vain? | 29Since I will be found guilty, why should I struggle in vain? |
30If I wash myself with snow, and cleanse my hands with lye, | 30If I wash myself with snow, and cleanse my hands with lye, |
31then You dip me in a pit of mud, and my own clothes despise me! | 31then you dip me in a pit of mud, and my own clothes despise me! |
32For He is not a man like me, that I can answer Him, that we can take each other to court. | 32For he is not a man like me, that I can answer him, that we can take each other to court. |
33There is no one to judge between us, to lay his hand on both of us. | 33There is no mediator between us, to lay his hand on both of us. |
34Let Him take His rod away from me so His terror will no longer frighten me. | 34Let him take his rod away from me so his terror will no longer frighten me. |
35Then I would speak and not fear Him. But that is not the case; I am on my own. | 35Then I would speak and not fear him. But that is not the case; I am on my own. |
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