Job 9:19–21

19 If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty!

And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge him?

20 Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me;

if I were blameless, it would pronounce me guilty.

21 “Although I am blameless,

I have no concern for myself;

I despise my own life.

19 If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong:

And if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?

20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me:

If I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.

21 Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul:

I would despise my life.

19 If it’s a question of strength, he’s the strong one.

If it’s a matter of justice, who dares to summon him to court?

20 Though I am innocent, my own mouth would pronounce me guilty.

Though I am blameless, it would prove me wicked.

21 “I am innocent,

but it makes no difference to me—

I despise my life.

19 If it is a matter of strength, indeed He is strong;

And if of justice, who will appoint my day in court?

20 Though I were righteous, my own mouth would condemn me;

Though I were blameless, it would prove me perverse.

21 “I am blameless, yet I do not know myself;

I despise my life.

19 When it comes to strength, God is stronger than I;

when it comes to justice, no one can accuse him.

20 Even if I were right, my own mouth would say I was wrong;

if I were innocent, my mouth would say I was guilty.

21 “I am innocent,

but I don’t care about myself.

I hate my own life.

19 If we speak of strength, lo, he is mighty!

And if of justice, Who, saith he, will summon me?

20 Though I be righteous, mine own mouth shall condemn me:

Though I be perfect, it shall prove me perverse.

21 I am perfect; I regard not myself;

I despise my life.

19 Be it a question of strength, lo, he is strong; and be it of judgment, who will set me a time? 20 If I justified myself, mine own mouth would condemn me; were I perfect, he would prove me perverse. 21 Were I perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.

19 If it is a matter of strength, 

then he is the mighty one. 

If it is about justice, 

who will charge me with a crime? 

20 If I am righteous, my own mouth would condemn me. 

It would declare that I am corrupt even if I am a man of integrity. 

21 If I am a man of integrity, I have no way of knowing it. 

I hate my life! 

19 If it is a matter of strength, look, He is the Mighty One!

If it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him?

20 Even if I were in the right, my own mouth would condemn me;

if I were blameless, my mouth would declare me guilty.

21 Though I am blameless,

I no longer care about myself;

I renounce my life.

19 If it is a contest of strength, he is the strong one!

If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him?

20 Though I am innocent, my own mouth would condemn me;

though I am blameless, he would prove me perverse.

21 I am blameless; I do not know myself;

I loathe my life.

19 If it is a matter of strength, look, he is mighty.

But if it is a matter of justice, who can summon me?

20 Even though I am righteous, my mouth will condemn me;

even though I am blameless, yet it would pronounce me guilty.

21 “I am blameless; I do not care about myself;

I loathe my life.

19 If it’s a matter of strength, he is mighty!

And if it’s a matter of being fair,

who would dare to bring charges against him?

20 Even if I hadn’t sinned, what I said would prove me guilty.

Even if I were honest, my words would show that I’m wrong.

21 “Even though I’m honest,

I’m not concerned about myself.

I hate my own life.

19 “If it is a matter of power, behold, He is the strong one!

And if it is a matter of justice, who can summon Him?

20 “Though I am righteous, my mouth will condemn me;

Though I am guiltless, He will declare me guilty.

21 “I am guiltless;

I do not take notice of myself;

I despise my life.