2 “Indeed, I know that this is true.

But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?

3 Though they wished to dispute with him,

they could not answer him one time out of a thousand.

2 I know it is so of a truth: But how should man be just with God? 3 If he will contend with him, He cannot answer him one of a thousand.

2 “Yes, I know all this is true in principle.

But how can a person be declared innocent in God’s sight?

3 If someone wanted to take God to court,

would it be possible to answer him even once in a thousand times?

2 “Truly I know it is so,

But how can a man be righteous before God?

3 If one wished to contend with Him,

He could not answer Him one time out of a thousand.

2 “Yes, I know that this is true,

but how can anyone be right in the presence of God?

3 Someone might want to argue with God,

but no one could answer God,

not one time out of a thousand.

2 Of a truth I know that it is so:

But how can man be just with God?

3 If he be pleased to contend with him,

He cannot answer him one of a thousand.

2 Of a truth I know it is so; but how can man be just with •God? 3 If he shall choose to strive with him, he cannot answer him one thing of a thousand.

2 “Yes, I know that this is true. 

But how can a mortal be declared righteous to God? 

3 If he wished to debate with God, 

he wouldn’t be able to answer one question in a thousand. 

2 Yes, I know what you’ve said is true,

but how can a person be justified before God?

3 If one wanted to take Him to court,

he could not answer God once in a thousand times.

2 “Indeed I know that this is so;

but how can a mortal be just before God?

3 If one wished to contend with him,

one could not answer him once in a thousand.

2 “Truly I know that it is so,

but how can a human being be just before God?

3 If he wants to contend with him,

he cannot answer him one time in a thousand.

2 “I’m sure that what you have said is true.

But how can human beings be right with God?

3 They might wish to argue with him.

But they couldn’t answer him

even once in a thousand times.

2 “In truth I know that this is so;

But how can a man be in the right before God?

3 “If one wished to dispute with Him,

He could not answer Him once in a thousand times.