Chapter 9.
Then Job answered and said,
If God will not withdraw His anger, the proud helpers do stoop under Him.
How much less shall I answer Him, and choose out my words to reason with
Him?
Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make
supplication to my Judge.
If I had called, and He had answered me, yet would I not believe that He had
hearkened unto my voice.
For He breaketh me with the tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.
He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.
If I speak of strength, lo, He is strong.
And if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?
If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me.
If I say I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul, I would despise my life.
This is one thing, therefore I said it.
He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
If the scourge slay suddenly, He will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
The earth is given into the hand of the wicked.
He covereth the faces of the judges thereof.
If not where, and who is He?
Now my days are swifter than a post.
They flee away, they see no good.
They are passed away as the swift ships, as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
If I say I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness and comfort
myself.
I am afraid of all my sorrows.
I know that Thou wilt not hold me innocent.
If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?
If I wash myself with snow water and make my hands never so clean, yet shalt Thou
plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.
For he is not a man as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in
judgment.
Neither is there any dazeman betwixt us that might lay his hand upon us both.
Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me.
Then would I speak, and not fear him.
But it is not so with me.